Fiat’s new EV costs $26,500… in Italy

October 24, 2020October 24, 2020 John Carey 2893 Views electric car, fiat 500

Fiat’s Nuova 500 EV range will start at prices Australian EV buyers can only dream of. In Italy, when the maximum available level of eco-incentive is applied, it will cost just $26,500. Even with a lower level of government help the battery-powered, four-seat city car will cost the equivalent of $33,200.

To buy a Nuova 500 for the lowest possible price in Italy means exchanging a more than 10-year-old car, which is sent for scrapping. This earns the maximum $16,700 discount. Without a worn-out clunker to exchange, the subsidy is reduced to $10,000.

UK pricing of the entry-level Nuova 500 in right-hand drive has also been announced. Subsidies there are not quite as generous as in Italy, so the starting price will be a little higher; $36,350. Deliveries there begin in December.

All these prices apply to the base-grade Action version of the Nuova 500, which comes only in three-door hatchback body style. It has a range of more than 180km according to the WLTP combined cycle test standard, which Fiat says rises to over 240km in purely city driving.

In Action spec, the Nuova 500 is equipped with a 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a single 70kW electric motor driving the front wheels. It has a CCS Combo 2 plug port which can handle a 50kW DC fast charge.

The Passion and Icon grades are more expensive, but bring increases in battery, range, power and fast charging speed. These versions have a WLTP combined driving range of 320km, and up to 460km around town, from a 42kWh battery pack. They also have an 87kW motor and can accept DC fast charging at up to 85kW.

At the same time as pricing of the Nuova 500 was revealed, Fiat also unveiled the third body style that will sell alongside the three-door hatchback and the cabrio. Named 3+1, it’s a hatchback with one door on the driver’s side and two on the kerb side.

For safety, the additional rear-hinged door of the 3+1 makes accessing the little Fiat’s rear seat easier. For safety, it cannot be opened unless the front passenger-side door is already open.The 3+1 will be priced midway between the hatchback and cabrio.

John Carey

Grew up in country NSW, way back when petrol was laced with lead. Has written about cars and the car business for more than 35 years, working full-time and freelance for leading mags, major newspapers and websites in Australia and (sometimes) overseas. Avidly interested in core EV technologies like motors and batteries, and believes the switch to electromobility definitely should be encouraged. Is waiting patiently for someone to make a good and affordable EV that will fit inside his tiny underground garage in northern Italy, where he's lived for the past decade. Likes the BMW i3, but it's just too damned wide...