Fiat 500 electric car

Fiat presented at the recent Detroit Motor Show an electric concept of the Fiat 500 apparently designed to compete against the likes of the Mini-E but with the battery positioned under the floor. The electric power unit stems from Fiat’s alliance partner Chrysler which last year showcased an electric version of the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Patriot and Chrysler 200C. Fiat has so far revealed little detail on the 500-E concept and whether it will in fact go into production.

The Italian car maker revealed at the London car show in 2008 a Fiat 500 fitted with a 22 kilowatt lithium ion battery unit that gave the electric vehicle a range of 112 kilometres and a top speed of 100 km/h.

Unlike some small battery electric vehicles, Fiat was able to retain the back seat in its electric car 500. The batteries are hidden beneath the back seat and under the floor. Fiat rates the electric motor in the concept car at 255 horsepower and claims it will dash from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.6 seconds. Fiat says top speed would be greater than 110 miles per hour and adds it could go up to 100 miles on a single charge.

www.fiat.com