Electric 500 gets production go ahead

By Mark Rainford

22nd March 2010

Chrysler has announced that it is to develop an electric version of the Fiat 500. The American firm, now managed by Fiat, will begin development of the car this year with sales scheduled to start in the US in 2012.

A concept version of the car known as the 500EV was shown at the Detroit Motor Show in January. And now bosses at the firm have given the green light to the project which will see the electric supermini go head-to-head with Toyota’s EV-II electric city car which is also due to arrive in 2012.

The car is currently scheduled to be sold in America only but the move will prompt speculation of an electric version of the 500 for the European market.

“The alliance with Fiat presented new opportunities to merge Chrysler Group engineering knowledge with new platforms and the Fiat 500EV is an outstanding example of our efforts,” said Senior Vice President of Engineering at Chrysler, Scott Kunselman. “The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology.”

The car will feature a high-power electric powertrain module, advanced lithium ion battery, and an EV control unit. There are no performance claims or specifications for the model, though the concept 500EV was based on an Abarth 500 and featured five-point harnesses which could suggest some sporting potential.

Development will be carried out at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills Michigan and is part of Chrysler/Fiat’s plans to promote zero-emission vehicles. Chrysler has already announced that the standard 500 will be produced in North America later this year and is the first example of the firm’s collaboration with Fiat.

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