Fiat 500 Electric Range, Battery & Charging - DrivingElectric

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Fiat 500e: range, battery & charging

While the smaller battery 500e is really only suitable for driving around town, the larger 42kWh version allows for some longer journeys

by Tom Jervis1 Nov 2023

• 1Verdict
• 2Range, battery & charging - currently reading
• 3Running costs & insurance
• 4Performance, motor & drive
• 5Interior, dashboard & infotainment
• 6Boot space, seating & practicality
• 7Reliability & safety rating

18Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Range, battery & charging rating

3.5 out of 5

RRP£25,025 — £34,025Fuel Type:ElectricPrice & Specification

Battery size	Range	Wallbox charge time	Rapid charge time
24kWh	118 miles	2hrs 30mins (0-100%, 11kW)	30mins (10-80%, 50kW)
42kWh	199 miles	4hrs 15mins (0-100%, 11kW)	35mins (10-80%, 85kW)

The Fiat 500e is available with two battery sizes: 24kWh and 42kWh. The upside of the bigger unit is a 200-mile range (if you go for the right specification) and if your commute is less than 10 miles each way, you’ll soon discover the benefits of having to charge less frequently.

Fiat 500e range

Entry-level cars feature a 24kWh battery pack, which is smaller than the ones fitted to some larger plug-in hybrid cars like the Range Rover Sport PHEV. Fiat says this will offer a range of up to 118 miles, but in our experience, 100 miles seems more realistic. This short range means the base 500e is really only suitable as a (very expensive) second car – or strictly for pottering around town.

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Meanwhile, models fitted with the 42kWh battery will do between 186 and 199 miles on a charge depending on specification and wheel size, according to Fiat. Our time driving the car suggests 150 to 160 miles is what's realistically achievable, but that's still further than the MINI Electric or Honda e can cover on a single charge. A similarly-priced BYD Dolphin or MG4 can travel much further before needing to be plugged in, however. 

In case you’re wondering, the Abarth 500e uses the 42kWh unit offered in the regular 500, but because of its sportier nature and more powerful motor range is reduced to 164 miles, although this figure will diminish rapidly if you intend to drive the Abarth like a real hot hatch.

Charge time

Every 500e comes with a Mode 2 charging cable, which makes it easy to top up at home overnight. Using a standard 7kW wallbox, a full charge of the 42kWh battery model will take around six hours, while those with faster three-phase 11kW electricity can do the same in four hours.

As standard, the basic Fiat 500e can charge at speeds of up to 50kW – the same as a MINI Electric or Ora Funky Cat. This entry-level 500e with its smaller battery will recharge from 10-80% (around 90 miles) in 30 minutes. Go for one of the bigger-battery cars, and while they offer substantially more range, and a faster on-board charger (up to 85kW) means they don’t take much longer to charge, getting from 10-80% charge (around 160 miles) in 35 minutes.

Skip advertAdvertisementPreviousVerdictNextRunning costs & insurance

In This Review

• 1VerdictFiat's city car icon has gone electric and while it remains fundamentally flawed, it’s nevertheless bursting with charm – and should be cheap to run, too
• 2Range, battery & charging - currently readingWhile the smaller battery 500e is really only suitable for driving around town, the larger 42kWh version allows for some longer journeys
• 3Running costs & insuranceThe Fiat 500e is incredibly cheap to run and the brand’s E-Grant makes it slightly more affordable to buy, too
• 4Performance, motor & driveThe Fiat 500e feels nippier than you might expect and has been perfectly designed for pootling around town
• 5Interior, dashboard & infotainmentThe Fiat 500e’s interior isn’t quite as plush as its price point suggests, but the infotainment system is good, nonetheless
• 6Boot space, seating & practicalityPoor practicality is the Fiat 500e’s biggest downfall, due to its cramped rear seats and tiny boot, whichever model you go for
• 7Reliability & safety ratingFiat's customer satisfaction record isn't great, the 500e should be pretty safe though

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• 500

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via EmailTom Jervis

Hello there, I’m Tom Jervis and I have the pleasure of being the Content Editor here at DrivingElectric. Before joining the team in 2023, I spent my time reviewing cars and offering car buying tips and advice on DrivingElectric’s sister site, Carbuyer. I also continue to occasionally contribute to the AutoExpress magazine – another of DrivingElectric’s partner brands. In a past life, I worked for the BBC as a journalist and broadcast assistant for regional services in the east of England – constantly trying to find stories that related to cars!

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