Fiat 500 Hybrid Coming to Support 500e, But Will Canada Get It?
With sales of the all-electric Fiat 500e slowing down considerably, Stellantis this week confirmed that a hybrid variant will also be built at its Mirafiori plant in Italy. Production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2026.
As Reuters reports, the announcement came after CEO Carlos Tavares met in Turin with union representatives who have long urged the automaker to boost production at Fiat's historic home with a cheaper, high-volume model.
- Also: 2024 Fiat 500e: Moving On From Its Gas-Powered Predecessor
- Also: Canada’s New Cheapest EV Can Now Be Ordered Online
The second generation of the modern Fiat 500, which was initially designed as a full EV, has been on sale in Europe since 2020, but its high price combined with increasing competition have caused demand to wane.
The future hybrid variant is expected to be a mild hybrid featuring a 48V battery and a small electric motor supporting the internal combustion engine for certain tasks.
Will It Come to North America?
Obviously, it’s too early at this point to say if the gas-electric 500 will make the jump across the Atlantic. The first units of the battery-powered 2024 Fiat 500e are arriving just now in Canadian dealerships.
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), carries a base MSRP of $39,995 plus additional fees of $2,195, making it the cheapest EV on sale in Canada right now.
Naturally, it is eligible to EV incentives including $5,000 in federal rebates and up to $7,000 in provincial rebates. However, maximum range is limited to 227 km and performance is quite underwhelming with 0-100 km/h sprints in a little over 8.5 seconds.
What will the response be like, knowing Fiat’s bad reputation for reliability? That’s a great question. Still, the 500e is a pleasant surprise and a fun new option in a market that finds ways to eliminate them. For more details, don’t miss our full review.