Fiat 500 Electric: How Much Does It Cost to Recharge the City Car?

In the top trio of best-selling electric cars in 2023, the Fiat 500 Electric holds a rather premium positioning. But is its cost of use appealing?

Produced since summer 2020, the Fiat 500 Electric has allowed the Italian manufacturer to establish itself in a new, highly promising segment. Between a Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric positioned at the entry-level and a very high-end Mini Electric, the Turin-based model has managed to find its clientele. In the 2022 fiscal year, no less than 15,163 units of the electric yogurt pot were sold, and 1,596 units had already found buyers in January 2023.

Today, the range is structured around three body styles: Sedan, Convertible, and 3+1. The latter features the particularity of having an extra small door on the passenger side, to facilitate access aboard, especially for children.

Additionally, two motorizations (95 hp and 118 hp) are available, as well as two battery capacities (23.8 kWh and 42 kWh).

At the time of writing, the range is structured as follows:

• 500 Finish: from €30,400 with 95 hp and €33,900 with 118 hp
• RED Finish: from €31,400 with 95 hp and €34,900 with 118 hp
• LA PRIMA Finish: from €34,900 with 95 hp and €38,400 with 118 hp

Autonomy and Consumption of the Fiat 500 Electric 42 kWh

Charging Time of the Fiat 500 Electric 42 kWh

Home Charging

Fast Charging at an Ionity Station

Comparative Cost of a Full Tank of 95-E10 Super on a Fiat 500 Hybrid

For this section, we wanted to compare the cost of gasoline per 100 km of a Fiat 500 Hybrid in 2023, versus the cost of electricity per 100 km for a Fiat 500 Electric. If Fiat reports a combined cycle consumption of 4.6 liters of Super 95 per 100 km, a realistic estimate should be around 5.9 liters per 100 km. With a liter of SP 95-E10 costing €1.895, it costs about €11.18 to travel 100 km in a Fiat 500 Hybrid, and €66.3 for a full tank.

Regarding range, the Fiat 500 Electric can cover approximately 230 km on a full charge (in winter), compared to about 600 km for the Fiat 500 Hybrid.

Summary: The Fiat 500 Electric 42 kWh Versus Its Combustion Counterparts

The Fiat 500 Electric is a relatively economical electric vehicle in terms of use, and its charging cost—except when using a Ionity station—remains below that of a full tank of Super 95-E10. However, its range is somewhat limited compared to an equivalent petrol model. And most importantly, the ratio isn’t entirely in its favor when compared to the Fiat 500 Hybrid, which maintains reasonable purchase cost and petrol consumption.

Read also: Comparative Test Renault Megane E-Tech vs. Volkswagen ID.3