Fiat Ireland - now part of the Gowan Group - has announced pricing for the electric version of the 500, and it's going to start from €24,995, inclusive of the SEAI grant and VRT relief.
Sherpa mode
The 500e comes with a battery capacity of up to 42kWh (37kWh useable) and a claimed WLTP range of 320km. It also has a 'Sherpa Mode' setting that basically turns down all non-essential systems to a minimum if you're running low and juice. Think of it as a 'get me home' mode. The 500e has a 117hp electric motor driving the front wheels and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.0 seconds. It can rapid charge at up to 85kW from a DC charger, hitting 80 per cent power in around 25 minutes.
All-new platform
Although the 500e looks basically similar to the petrol-powered model, it's actually an all-new car, riding on a dedicated electric car platform, with new bodywork and interior. The petrol-powered 500 will remain on sale, even though it has been around since 2007.
Want to tell the new electric 500e from the old petrol model? Look at the lights - the 500e gets cool LED lights that are bisected by the edge of the bonnet.
Three trim levels will be available for the new 500e - Action, Icon and La Prima - while the 500c cabriolet will be available in Icon and La Prima.
'Overwhelmingly positive response'
Speaking at the launch today, John Saunders Managing Director of Fiat Ireland said: "The New Fiat 500 Electric has received an overwhelming positive response in Europe, and we expect the same in Ireland. This iconic urban car has the outstanding range of 320km, best in class safety features and level 2 electronic driving assistance, bringing all the associated benefits to urban mobility. 2022 is an exciting year for Fiat in Ireland and we look forward to welcoming all customers old and new into our showrooms nationwide."