The price hit has finally landed.
The Fiat 500e. Just knocked down. Again.
Thanks to the sudden availability of the full £3,75 government’s Electric Car Grant for this specific model. This isn’t a trickle. It’s a floodgate. And suddenly, this cute little Italian EV isn’t just a lifestyle accessory anymore. It’s a genuine budget contender.
Starting price? £17,245.
Let that sink in. That is under £20k for a brand-new electric car in the UK market. And it’s cheaper than its gas-guzzling sibling.
Which Fiat EVs Qualify for the Grant?
Confusion around government subsidies can kill sales faster than a slow charger. So, clarity is king here. Fiat is playing it straight.
Every 500e variant gets the maximum cut. The hard-top hatch? Covered. The drop-top cabrio? Covered. Even the spicy, track-focused (okay, slightly track-focused) Abarth 500h gets the discount.
Wait, did I say 500? The Abarth 50e starts at £24,242 after the £3,75 off. It punches harder too. 150 horsepower. Zero to sixty in exactly seven seconds. Does it sound nice? Yes, it has a fake engine noise generator. Because it’s electric. Because teenagers like bass. Deal with it.
What about the Fiat 60e? Yes, the small SUV. But here’s the catch. It qualifies. Only it’s in “Band 2”. So, customers save £1,50, not the full chunk. Different tier. Different savings. Not as sexy, but still decent.
How Fast Is the Base Model Really?
Fast enough? Maybe. Not fast.
The entry-level model uses a small 24.4 kWh battery. You get 118 miles range from that. Power output? A modest 94bhp motor. Zero to sixty? Nine-and-a-half seconds.
Boring? Sure.
But look at the jump to the 42 kWh pack. Another £3,00. You get nearly 200 miles range (officially 199, realistically slightly less if you hate the AC). The motor gets tweaked to 11bhp. Acceleration improves. Now you’re doing it in 9 seconds flat.
Still slower than a brisk jog? Maybe. But check the alternative: The hybrid 500 takes 173 seconds. Nearly three minutes. That’s not driving. That’s patience testing. The 9.0s sprint feels like speed by comparison.
What Do You Get at This Price?
Two trims. That’s it. No complex spreadsheet madness.
Icon and La Prima.
Both come with the good stuff. You don’t strip features here.
- 102.5-inch central touchscreen
- Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto (no messy cables)
- Keyless entry/go
- 7.0-inch driver display
- Alloy wheels
- Full safety suite
It feels complete. For an £17.2k price point, competitors usually charge extra for the touchscreen. Fiat just included it. Why? Probably volume. They know people are buying because the price dropped. Not because they’re tech evangelists.
Why The Sudden Discount?
Government policy. Nothing more complex.
The grant became active immediately for orders placed now. Buy today. Drive today. Save £3,7. No middlemen. No confusing dealership haggling.
However, there are losers. The new Grande Panda didn’t make the cut for subsidy. No discount. Even so. Auto Express called it Supermini of the 205. You can still buy it for under £2k. Just no government money to help you with the card statement.
Is The Fiat 5000e Worth It Now?
Cheapest electric car in Britain? Technically yes.
But should you buy it?
If you need city range. If you park on tight streets. If you hate paperwork and high registration fees. Then yes. The 118-mile range is fine
