Fiat Considering Gas-Powered Option for Electric 500e
Jump over to Fiat’s USA website and you’ll find two vehicles listed. Only one—the 500X—has a combustion engine. And that trim has been dropped for 2024. The other is the 500e, fresh and new with a familiar face hiding a fully electric powertrain. But that could change soon, according to a recent report from Automotive News Europe. It seems Fiat is considering an internal combustion option for the 500e. The automaker reportedly contacted suppliers asking for quotes to increase 500e production, which, by itself isn’t a big signifier. But the quote mentioned electric and gasoline models, with the majority of production going to an ICE version of the car. Automotive News Europe confirmed the existence of the message but received no further comment from Fiat. We also contacted Fiat and received no comment on the matter.
Rumor of a Gas-Powered Fiat 500e
While just a rumor at this point, there are numerous reasons to believe Fiat is at least considering a new gas-powered 500. It’s no secret that EV demand is dropping; all manufacturers are experiencing a slowdown, even Tesla which recently slowed production at its plant in China. In Europe, the 500e had a successful launch with production reaching 77,500 units in 2022. Per the report, Fiat had hopes of hitting 90,000 units in 2023 but instead fell backward slightly to 77,260 cars. Earlier in the year, the automaker dialed back 500e production by cutting a shift at the factory. There’s also the delay on Europe’s combustion engine ban, pushing the date from 2030 to 2035. For automakers trying to develop new vehicles, having over a decade of internal combustion life back on the table can certainly open new avenues not previously considered. Among other things, it opens the possibility of a low-cost ICE model for buyers while EV tech is fine-tuned. How this might come to fruition is unknown. The 500e was designed solely to be an electric vehicle. Fiat still makes a combustion-powered 500 for Europe, but it won’t meet new EU emission regulations and is slated to end production later this year. It’s also unknown if a new gas-fueled 500 would make it to US shores. If a new ICE 500 does happen, it will likely have a mild hybrid engine and be on the market in late 2025.
Potential Shift in Production Strategy
With the potential introduction of a gas-powered variant of the 500e, Fiat could be signaling a shift in its production strategy. The decision to explore adding an internal combustion engine option to the 500e lineup could be driven by a variety of factors, including market demand, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements. By offering both electric and gasoline models of the 500e, Fiat may be looking to cater to a wider range of consumers and address any concerns about range anxiety or charging infrastructure. This move could also help Fiat leverage its existing manufacturing capabilities and supplier relationships to streamline production and reduce costs.
Remaining Questions and Considerations
While the possibility of a gas-powered Fiat 500e is certainly intriguing, there are still many unanswered questions and considerations surrounding this potential development. For example, it’s unclear how Fiat plans to integrate an internal combustion engine into the existing electric platform of the 500e, and whether this will require significant modifications to the vehicle’s design and structure. Additionally, the timeline for the introduction of a gas-powered version of the 500e remains uncertain, as Fiat has not officially confirmed any plans to produce such a model.
Impact on the Electric Vehicle Market
The introduction of a gas-powered Fiat 500e could have significant implications for the electric vehicle market as a whole. If Fiat is successful in launching a hybrid version of the 500e, it could potentially attract new customers who are hesitant to fully transition to electric vehicles. This could help to expand the overall market for electric and hybrid vehicles, and encourage other automakers to explore similar hybridization strategies. At the same time, the availability of a gas-powered 500e could also contribute to increased competition in the electric vehicle market, potentially driving innovation and driving down prices for consumers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Fiat’s reported consideration of a gas-powered option for the 500e represents an interesting development in the rapidly evolving automotive industry. While the specific details and timeline of this potential development remain uncertain, the move underscores the ongoing shift towards electrification within the industry and the challenges and opportunities faced by automakers as they navigate this transition. Whether Fiat ultimately decides to produce a hybrid version of the 500e or not, the discussion around this possibility highlights the complexities and nuances of the current automotive landscape, and the importance of flexibility and innovation in response to changing market dynamics.