2023 Fiat 500e electric city car one step closer to Australian showrooms

Government documents show the Fiat 500e is being readied for local sale, with the electric city car to offer up to 320km of claimed driving range.

The 2023 Fiat 500e is a step closer to Australian showrooms in the coming months after receiving government approval to be sold locally.

Documents published by the Department of Infrastructure show Fiat’s electric city car will be offered here with a single battery and motor layout initially – though the 500e is expected to be sold alongside its petrol-powered 500 sibling for the immediate future.

In Australia, the 500e will be offered with an 87kW electric motor driving the front wheels, powered by a 42kWh battery pack with 320km of claimed driving range (based on the WLTP standard).

Overseas versions have a claimed 0-100km/h time of nine seconds, while charging from zero to 80 per cent is claimed to take 35 minutes on an 85kW DC fast charger – with 50km of range said to be available in five minutes.

Buyers will get the choice of 16- or 16-inch wheels, a sunroof, and two types of headlights, according to the documents.

The electric Fiat 500e is expected in Australian showrooms after the middle of next year, ahead of the high-performance Abarth version due in late 2023.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed, however if overseas prices are a guide, the 500e may cost in excess of $40,000 before on-road costs in Australia.

“We’re excited to launch [the 500e] next year,” a Fiat Australia spokesperson told Drive in May 2022, with local pricing and confirmation of specifications expected in the coming months.

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