Fiat 500 electric range, battery & charging
The zero-emissions Fiat 500 manages to beat both the Honda e and MINI Electric for driving range thanks to a 42kWh battery
| Battery size | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24kWh | 118 miles | 2hrs 30mins (0-100%, 11kW) | 30mins (10-80%, 50kW) |
| 42kWh | 200 miles | 4hrs 15mins (0-100%, 11kW) | 35mins (10-80%, 85kW) |
As of January 2023, the Fiat 500 is available once again 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 500 electric range
Fiat offers two batteries for the electric 500. Entry-level cars feature a small 24kWh unit, which can return just 118 miles at most, or closer to 100 miles in typical driving, making it best suited to city driving and pottering around town.
Meanwhile, models fitted with the 42kWh battery will do between 186 and 200 miles on a charge depending on specification and wheel size, according to Fiat. Our experience with 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.
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 155 miles. Though we’ll have to wait and see how far the electric hot hatch can go in the real world.
Charge time
Every 500 electric 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.
But every 500 also comes with at least 50kW rapid-charging capability – matching the MINI Electric in this regard. The entry-level 500 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, a faster on-board charger means they don’t take much longer to charge, getting from 10-80% charge (around 160 miles) in 35 minutes.
