Canada’s New Cheapest EV Can Now Be Ordered Online
Following its official introduction last December, the new 2024 Fiat 500e becomes the cheapest electric vehicle in Canada and many city-dwellers are sure to fall in love with it. Or so we think. Maybe to prove a point, the company chose Valentine’s Day to open its online reservation system at fiatcanada.com.
The little Italian hatchback, which is available initially in Quebec and B.C. only (other markets will be added to the list as production ramps up), arrives with a base MSRP of $39,995 plus additional fees of $2,195.
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“We’re thrilled that Canadian Fiat enthusiasts can now reserve their all-electric 500e online,” said Aamir Ahmed, head of Fiat for North America. “We’ve seen a lot of excitement for our dealer-fulfilled digital model in the U.S. already; it is a simple, straightforward process that brings you one step closer to owning a BEV that is friendly, fun to drive, and will surely leave a smile on your face.”
The 2024 Fiat 500e undercuts the Nissan LEAF (MSRP starting at $41,748), which briefly held the title of Canada’s most affordable EV following the discontinuation of the Chevrolet Bolt EV ($38,548). Naturally, it is eligible to EV incentives including $5,000 in federal rebates and up to $7,000 in provincial rebates.
By the way, every sale of the (RED) launch edition will trigger a donation to the Global Fund to support life-saving prevention and treatment programs in communities most in need.
The car is built at the Mirafiori Assembly Plant in Turin, Italy, and deliveries will begin in the spring.
Limited Range and Power
The low price of the 2024 Fiat 500e obviously means some sacrifices need to be made. It provides an estimated range of only 227 km, comparable to the entry-level Nissan LEAF and the upcoming 2025 MINI Cooper SE, but well short of small crossovers like the new Hyundai Kona Electric (420 km) and Kia Niro EV (407 km).
The 42kWh battery completely charges in six hours when using a level 2 (240V) home charger, such as the one that will be available for purchase through Stellantis’ Mopar division. With a DC fast charger, the battery can go from 0-80 percent in 35 minutes and regain about 50 km of range in 5 minutes. Maximum charging capability is rated at 85 kW.
Don’t expect electrifying acceleration, even with a weight of just 1,361 kg: the 117 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque generated by the electric motor propel the 500e from 0-100 km/h in a little over 8.5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 150 km/h.
Drivers will have three modes to choose from including Normal, Range (enables one-pedal driving with optimized regenerative braking) and Sherpa (limits top speed to 80 km/h and reduces output to 77 horsepower to preserve energy).
One more thing: standard content includes a 7-inch full digital cluster and 10.25-inch centre screen, the latter powered by Uconnect 5 complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an in-vehicle Alexa virtual assistant.