We need more cheap EVs. That’s not just a matter of opinion; for EV adoption to work people have to be able to afford to buy them. Some automakers are coming around to selling cheaper EVs. Volvo is promising a starting price under $40,000 with its coming EX30, Kia plans two new affordable EVs — hopefully sooner rather than later — and now Fiat is coming back to the market with a new 500e that’ll be priced under $35,000.
CarsDirect reports that an order guide shows the 2024 Fiat 500e will have an MSRP of just $32,500 (before destination), making it one of the cheapest new EVs on the market. That price is notable for a couple of reasons.
First, it joins just four other EVs on the market that have starting prices under that $35K mark: the Chevy Bolt/Bolt EUV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Mini Electric Hardtop and the Nissan Leaf. (The Kona and Mini both have imminent next-gen versions that might have higher starting prices, too.) Secondly, this $32,500 price is cheaper than it was back when the last-gen was on sale just over four years ago, as CarsDirect explains.
Interestingly, FIAT’s MSRP of $32,500 actually makes the car cheaper than the car we last saw back in 2019. Before the FIAT 500e was discontinued, it had a sticker price of $33,210. That’s a price difference of $710.
Fiat announced that the 500e would be returning to the U.S. in late 2022 after it was discontinued following the 2019 model year. Fiat is going more premium with the 500e this time around, with a more upscale design and new customization options that assure no two 500s will be alike. While the brand isn’t talking range or battery specs for the U.S. just yet, CarsDirect says those details are expected to be announced on December 4.