What the Electric Fiat 500e Is Like—From a Fiat 500 Owner

It is also good to make use of a automotive with fashionable facilities like lane steering and auto braking when it detects a pedestrian. Heck, even having a reversing digicam is good. Nevertheless, the Fiat 500e continually warns me about “emergency automobiles” in entrance on the show (it performs a scarily loud sound, too), nevertheless it’s sadly incorrect 80 % of the time. Cease giving me a coronary heart assault!

The Previous Vary-and-Charging Downside

You are getting a roughy 150-mile vary on the Fiat 500e, which is OK for a way typically I drive. I do not commute for work, so most of my journeys are for leisure. I did drive the 500e extra typically than I most likely would in a standard week, however after 4 days, I went from 96 to 41 % after round 53 miles. This poses an issue after I must make the occasional longer jaunt, like when visiting my in-laws or occurring a highway journey.

{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu

{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu

I’ve a home with a parking spot in New York Metropolis, which makes me very privileged and fortunate to have the ability to cost from dwelling—nonetheless, the charger Fiat consists of was only a smidge too quick to succeed in the charging outlet behind my home. Regardless, many people are usually not going to have a luxurious like that and must use charging stations. Once I tried in search of charging stations close to me, nearly all had been described as “sluggish.” Fortunately, there was only one marked as “quick.”

However earlier than that, earlier within the week I discovered myself close to WIRED’s Manhattan workplace, and I figured I might discover a spot to park and cost the automotive whereas I sat within the workplace for 2 hours. The primary parking storage I went to was full, in order that they turned me away. The second I went to stated it’d value $60 to cost and park for 2 hours as a result of, in New York Metropolis, you are not paying just for electrical energy but in addition actual property. Sixty {dollars} boosted my battery from 41 to 77 %. It is value noting that I recurrently pay round $35 each two weeks to refuel my gasoline Fiat 500 (and it takes a couple of minutes).

Discovering the proper fast-charging station is essential. The one close to my dwelling that had loads of spots accessible (on a Thursday night), and I watched many EV drivers passing the time of their vehicles as they charged, watching movies on their telephones. I pulled up, plugged the automotive in, and after roughly 20 minutes I had gained 20 %, which value me roughly $4. Now I can get used to that.

I did not get to check drive the Fiat 500e on an extended journey, although I think about I might need to be a bit extra meticulous about ensuring there are quick chargers on my route and time it so {that a} 30-minute recharge may maybe fall proper throughout a lunch or lavatory break. It is extra concerned, and that is arguably the largest pause I might have about shopping for an EV if I often make lengthy journeys (however I do not).

Let’s Speak Cash

Whereas I used to be researching a automotive to purchase, I often noticed the backronym for Fiat: Repair It Once more Tony. These vehicles appear to have earned a poor status for reliability and upkeep through the years. I had the five hundred I purchased inspected, and it was in honest situation, although the earlier proprietor did inform me they needed to exchange the automotive’s door handles after they broke off. I’ve by no means heard of a automotive’s door handles simply breaking off, however apparently it is a widespread downside amongst Fiats. I am unable to say a lot concerning the reliability of the Fiat 500e within the US, however I am hoping it is improved.

The elephant within the room is the $32,500 beginning value (the mannequin I examined begins at $36,000). You will have tons of EV choices with extra room and higher vary, just like the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, and the Tesla Model 3.

Nevertheless, when you’re after a small automotive, there actually aren’t many choices within the US, save the brand new Mini Cooper SE, which has a $30,900 beginning value. I am constantly envious watching my UK counterparts having fun with a collection of tiny and affordable electric cars—we’d like them right here, too. (I might completely drive the Microlino.)

The Fiat 500e is simply too costly, however we’re starved for alternative within the US, particularly for small EVs that look nice. The Fiat 500e is simply that. I might simply select to drive it over my gasoline mannequin; too dangerous it is out of my finances. It additionally would not are available yellow (boo!). If Fiat may resolve these two issues, I might fortunately open my pockets.