FIAT 500 Electric (500e) Owner Verdict: Real-World Range, Reliability & Buying Guide

Analysis of the latest EV Owners Poll data, alongside every Owner Review and Road Trip Report on Electric Road, makes one thing crystal clear: the electric FIAT 500 isn’t just a masterclass in retro-modern styling—it is one of the most fiercely loved small EVs on British roads.

FIAT 500e Owners’ Star Rating

4.40 / 5 Stars

Across 81 dedicated FIAT 500e and Abarth 500e responses in the EV Owners Poll, combined with dozens of long-term owner reviews spanning models from 2013 to 2026, owners award the electric 500 an impressive average rating of 4.40 out of 5.

Whether prospective buyers are eyeing up a new 42kWh La Prima, a budget-friendly 24kWh city runabout, a soft-top Cabriolet or a fiery Abarth 500e, this definitive guide covers everything needed to buy the right electric FIAT 500 with confidence.

1. Every Age & Edition Explained: Which FIAT 500e Should You Buy?

Before committing to a purchase, buyers need to match the right generation, battery size, and body style to their daily routine. Across the Poll and Owner Reviews, Electric Road readers have tested every iteration of the 500e:

The Early Pioneer: Generation 1 (2013–2019)

Originally built as a compliance car for the US market (primarily California and Oregon), a handful of these early left-hand-drive 24kWh models have made their way to the UK or been reviewed by the Electric Road community. They are based on the older petrol Panda-derived platform.

• The Verdict: Cheap to buy, reliable, and quirky, but severely limited by a lack of DC rapid charging and an ageing battery. As owner Lance N (2014 FIAT 500e, 50,000–60,000 miles) notes: “I was able to trade two motorcycles for it, so I’m into it for very little… 2 cents a mile to drive, overall reliability and looks are great, and I still achieve 60 miles range from a full charge.” However, another 2013 500e owner in the Poll cautioned that after moving back to the UK, “Range and charging speed” meant it couldn’t keep up with modern infrastructure.

The Ground-Up Reinvention: Generation 2 (2020–2026)

Launched in late 2020 (and reaching UK roads in early 2021), the Nuova 500 sits on an entirely bespoke, ground-up electric platform. It is wider, longer, and significantly better planted than the petrol 500, while keeping the iconic silhouette.

• Why Trim Choice Matters: In the Poll, several owners warned against being caught out by stingy entry-level specifications. While Action (24kWh), Passion, RED, and Icon trims offer great value on the used market, they miss out on crucial kit. As Martin J (2022 La Prima 42kWh) explains: “FIAT have been stingy with the specification on lower grades, so we exceeded our budget somewhat to get features like LED headlights and a reversing camera that really ought to be standard throughout the range.” Another 2022 500e owner in the poll echoed this strongly: “Driving at night in models ‘Icon’ and below have terrible halogen headlights. La Prima has much better Infinity LEDs and a rear camera. Bear this in mind when buying!”

• Note on the 3+1 Body Style: As owner Lois (2022 La Prima 42kWh) points out in her review, while continental Europe received the clever Trepiùno (3+1) version with a rear-hinged third door, FIAT never converted the 3+1 shell for UK right-hand-drive buyers. In the UK, the choice is strictly between the 3-door Hatchback and the 2-door Cabriolet (500e C).

The Pocket Rocket: Abarth 500e (2023–2026)

With plenty of Abarth 500e owners represented in the Poll, the scorpion-badged sibling is a huge hit for drivers wanting go-kart handling. Packing 152 bhp, a wider track, sports seats, and a toggleable ‘Scorpion Track’ mode with a synthetic exhaust roar, it trades about 20 miles of real-world range for grin-inducing agility.

• The Verdict: A 2025 Abarth 500e owner summed it up in the Poll: “My 500e is a brilliant little thing. It handles like a go-kart and is quick off the line. The range isn’t amazing, but it’s a small battery and a powerful motor, so I wouldn’t expect more. Expensive new, but mine was bought at a year old. Spectacular colour too (Acid Yellow). I’d recommend it to anyone looking for top-down fun.” However, die-hard petrol Abarth fans should test drive one first; one 2024 Abarth 500e owner admitted: “Loved my old ICE Abarth; this gives me about 50% of the pleasure of the old one… I just want a quick hatchback that I can fuel up in 5 minutes.”

2. What Owners Love: The Standout Positives

In the EV Owners Poll, the top five most-selected strengths for the electric FIAT 500 are Running Costs, Style & Design, Comfort & Refinement, Driver Controls, and Performance & Handling.

Iconic Italian Flair & Ground-Up EV Packaging

Unlike the MINI Electric or Peugeot e-208, which share platforms with combustion cars, the 500e was engineered exclusively as an EV.

“It’s an EV that isn’t a petrol car with just batteries in it; it was designed from the ground up as an EV so feels very well thought out and quite high-end for such a small car. The small size means it fits on my very small drive, and the look of it is really eye-catching.” — Catherine Lane, 2021 FIAT 500e RED Edition

“I adore the look of the FIAT 500! Also, the bonus of it being electric means I effectively get the speed of an Abarth version wrapped up in a cute, environmentally-friendly package that can be charged from my solar panels! Door handles have an engraving telling you where it was made ❤️—mine says Torino.” — Lois, 2022 FIAT 500e La Prima 42kWh

Nippy Performance & Surprising Motorway Stability

With 220Nm of instant torque in the 42kWh model (and 235Nm in the Abarth), the 500e darts from 0–31 mph in just 3.1 seconds. Better still, mounting the 42kWh battery beneath the floor transforms the way it rides compared to the bouncy old petrol 500.

“It handles like the original MINI with quick steering, flat cornering and a firm but compliant ride. With its wide track it’s also stable and well-planted at speed on the motorway… The other group of people often surprised by it are BMW drivers, as the 500 leaves them behind at traffic lights!” — Martin J, 2022 FIAT 500 Electric La Prima 42kWh

“So much fun to drive that I no longer like driving a petrol car, as it seems slow and boring by comparison!” — Lois, 2022 FIAT 500e La Prima 42kWh

Physical Buttons & Tactile Controls

At a time when rival carmakers bury heater controls inside laggy sub-menus, FIAT kept a neat row of physical piano-key switches for air conditioning, hazard lights, and drive selection (P, R, N, D).

“I love the style, character and comfort, including ride and seating, of my FIAT 500e. The controls are simple and easy to use and there is a button alternative to the touchscreen for most, which I really like.” — 2023 FIAT 500e Owner (EV Owners Poll)

Pennies-Per-Mile Running Costs

When paired with a smart home charger (owners highly recommend the Ohme Home Pro, Easee One, Hypervolt, and myenergi zappi) and an off-peak EV tariff like Octopus Go or EDF GoElectric, running costs plummet.

“Cost of refuelling is 2p per mile on electricity instead of 12p per mile for my previous car in petrol costs. Insurance is slightly cheaper than my previous VW Polo, and servicing (on a service plan) is £80 cheaper on average than a petrol car.” — Dave A, 2022 FIAT 500 Electric La Prima 42kWh

“Liked it so much as a second car, we replaced the family car with a BEV too!” — FIAT 500e Owner (EV Owners Poll)

 

(Energy costs correct at time of Poll or Review submission)

3. Real-World Range, Charging & Road Trip Reports

Official WLTP figures claim up to 199 miles for the 42kWh hatchback, 189 miles for the Cabriolet, and 118 miles for the 24kWh city battery. Across the Owner Reviews and Poll entries, the real-world summer range for the 42kWh model, for example, sits reliably between 160 and 190 miles, while winter freezing weather drops that figure to between 115 and 135 miles.

Can You Road Trip a FIAT 500e?

While most owners bought the 500e primarily for urban and B-road commuting, road trip feedback proves the 42kWh model is far from housebound. Because it supports 85kW DC rapid charging (0–80% in under 30 minutes) and 11kW AC three-phase charging, motorway journeys are genuinely painless.

“The range is excellent so I can go to London with just one stop on the way to recharge.” — Catherine Lane, 2021 FIAT 500e RED Edition

“As a run-around, fairly short-distance car it is just brilliant and I love the convertible. Longer distances are certainly achievable—you just need a little research into charger locations.” — 2022 FIAT 500e C Owner (EV Owners Poll)

“Undoubtedly the standout feature of the Nuova 500 is the packaging of a substantial 42kWh battery in such a small car… So far we have only used InstaVolt on occasional longer trips. They’ve been reliable, though the parking spaces they’re in are often very small for wrestling a heavy CCS cable.” — Martin J, 2022 FIAT 500 Electric La Prima 42kWh

Even owners without a dedicated driveway wallbox manage effortlessly due to the compact 42kWh capacity. As Sam (2021 La Prima) notes: “I have never invested in a wallbox and use the cable supplied with the car hardwired into a granny plug. He charges overnight, no problem at all.” Another poll respondent confirmed that a standard 3-pin plug adds roughly “5% per hour, easily covering a 50+ mile run overnight on Economy 7.”

4. What Owners Dislike: Quirks, Niggles & Improvements Needed

No car is flawless, and the FIAT 500e has several Italian eccentricities that cropped up repeatedly in the Poll and Owner Reviews. From the Owner Poll data, the most cited negatives are Space & Practicality, Range (in winter), Value for Money (when bought brand new), and Infotainment/Sensor Glitches.

1. Cramped RHD Driver’s Footwell & Strict ‘2+2’ Rear Seats

Because the 500e was designed in left-hand-drive Turin, converting the narrow footwell to right-hand drive left nowhere to rest the driver’s left foot. Furthermore, the rear seats are strictly for children, dogs, or short hops.

“The translation of the design to RHD causes a few problems. In particular, space to rest the driver’s left foot is lacking. And the rear seats really are very small—it’s best to think of the 500 Electric as a 2+2.” — Martin J, 2022 FIAT 500 Electric La Prima

“Front driver’s footwell is a bit cramped, especially if you have big feet! Rear can be cramped, even for kids. Boot space is limited also (185 litres), though if you take out the rear shelf and put down the back seats, the load area is not too bad—it would help if the seats folded completely flat.” — 2022 FIAT 500e Owner (EV Owners Poll)

2. The “Always-On” Headlights & Tiny Washer Bottle

Two baffling design oversights frustrate owners during the winter months:

“Washer bottle is tiny (1.5 litres) with no low-level warning. And you cannot switch the lights off! Seriously, there is no switch that shuts the headlights off completely—they can only be set to Auto or Always On. If I am waiting to pick someone up in winter and want the heating and radio on, I also have to have the headlights blazing. Why, FIAT, why?” — John, 2021 FIAT 500e La Prima

 

3. Cabriolet Boot Drip & Non-Replaceable ‘Pebble’ Key Battery

Buyers opting for the Cabriolet (500e C) or a high-spec La Prima should watch out for two model-specific quirks:

• Cabriolet Rain Drip: “The cabrio boot allows rain to enter the boot when you open it after heavy rain.” — Sophia, 2021 La Prima Cabriolet.

   

• Sealed Wearable Key: Higher trims come with a stylish, pebble-shaped wearable key alongside a standard fob, but as Dave A (2022 La Prima) discovered: “The ‘pebble’ key doesn’t have a replaceable battery—once it dies, only the other key with buttons has a changeable battery.”

4. Connected App Subscriptions & Aggressive ADAS

Several owners complained about over-eager driver assistance and app charges after year three:

• App Paywall & Defaults: “The phone app to connect to the car (for pre-heating and lock/unlock) lasts two to three years from new, then you have to pay a subscription,” noted a 2022 Poll Owner, while Sophia (2021 La Prima) highlighted that “the AC charging speed setting defaults to medium level after every software update.”

   

• Jerky One-Pedal Stopping & Lane Assist: While most love ‘Range’ mode (which enables strong one-pedal regenerative braking), George (2021 Icon) observed: “It’s virtually impossible to achieve a completely smooth stop in Range mode compared to a BMW, and you have to turn off ‘lane assist’ at the start of each journey as it’s too fierce.”

5. Reliability, Known Faults & Used Buyer’s Checklist

Overall reliability across Electric Road’s Owner Reviews and EV Owners Poll is strong, backed up by a 91.9% industry reliability rating where FIAT covered 100% of warranty repair costs. Crucially, not a single owner on Electric Road reported measurable high-voltage battery degradation. However, UK roads and Stellantis electronics do throw up four specific areas that buyers must inspect when viewing a used example:

1. Front Suspension Bushes & Ball Joints on UK Potholes: The 500e weighs around 1,365kg—roughly 300kg heavier than the petrol 500—and UK potholes take a heavy toll on its front suspension arms and bushes.

   “After just under 30,000 miles I’ve already had the front suspension replaced and now it’s going back to the garage with another suspension issue. Absolutely fantastic car, but British roads and potholes are really causing suspension issues.” — FIAT 500e Owner (EV Owners Poll)

   • Buyer Check: On the test drive, turn the radio off, open the windows, and drive slowly over speed bumps or broken tarmac. Listen closely for any clunks or knocks from the front axle.

      

2. 10.25-Inch Uconnect Infotainment & KM/H Dashboard Bug: Several owners reported occasional screen blackouts, dropped Apple CarPlay connections, or the digital binnacle randomly flipping from MPH to KM/H.

   “Every now and again it beeps when you lock him and changes the display to km instead of miles, and the infotainment has occasionally behaved erratically before resetting itself.” — Sam (2021 La Prima) & Martin J (2022 La Prima)

   • Buyer Check: Pair a phone via wireless CarPlay/Android Auto during the test drive and ensure the car has had its latest dealer Uconnect software update.

      

3. Door Membrane Water Leaks:Dave A (2022 La Prima) reported a “water leak from the bottom of the door into the car; the door membrane was replaced under warranty which rectified the problem.” Always feel the front footwell carpets for dampness before buying.

    

4. 12V Auxiliary Battery & Recall Checks: Like many compact EVs, a weak 12V battery can trigger phantom “sensor faults” or fail to wake the car after sitting unused for a fortnight. Buyers should also verify via the GOV.UK recall checker that early 2021–2023 models have had their recall inspections completed (specifically for the high-voltage battery negative terminal nut and front half-shafts).

6. Final Owner Verdict: Should You Buy One?

The verdict from the EV Owners Poll and Owner Reviews is overwhelmingly positive: the electric FIAT 500 is one of the best urban and commuter EVs on the market—bringing genuine personality, zippy performance, and ultra-low running costs to everyday driving.

Whether buying brand-new or approved used, there has never been a better time to get behind the wheel of a 500e:

• Why Buy Brand-New: Ordering a new FIAT 500e or Abarth 500e unlocks FIAT’s latest competitive finance packages, low-APR PCP deals, and substantial manufacturer deposit contributions (such as the FIAT E-Grant), which significantly lower monthly payments. Buying new also allows drivers to specify standout shades like Rose Gold, Celestial Blue, or Acid Yellow, enjoy the latest factory Uconnect software updates from day one, and take advantage of the full 3-year manufacturer warranty, 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, and complimentary connected app services.

   

• Why Buy Used or Nearly-New: For cash buyers or those looking for maximum value on a tighter budget, early EV depreciation works entirely in the buyer’s favour. Drivers can pick up a low-mileage, top-spec 42kWh Icon, RED, or La Prima—or a thrilling 1-year-old Abarth 500e—at a fraction of its original retail price while still benefiting from the remainder of the 8-year battery warranty.

   

Key Buying Recommendations:

• Choose the 42kWh battery for maximum versatility, unless the car will genuinely never leave a 15-mile urban radius (where the entry-level 24kWh model shines as a pure city runabout).

   

• Opt for La Prima trim (or an Icon, RED, or Design model fitted with the optional Tech/Comfort packs) to secure the crucial Infinity LED headlights, reversing camera, heated seats, and 85kW rapid charging.

   

• On used examples, listen to the front suspension over bumps and check that wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connects cleanly.

   

For drivers who rarely carry rear passengers, want a car that slots effortlessly into the tightest British parking spaces, and want to slash fuel bills while smiling every time they walk out to the driveway, the FIAT 500e is in a class of one.

As Heather Taylor (2022 Icon) puts it: “I’ve had several petrol FIAT 500s, so I thought I would test drive an electric one. That led to an immediate order!”