Gas option may be added to Fiat 500e electric car

Fiat has announced a new generation of its iconic minicar, the 500, as an electric-only vehicle for 2020.

However, the gas-powered predecessor 500 continues to be sold, and in Europe, the name's main market, the new 500e sold about 60,000 units last year, compared to about 104,000 units.

Automotive News (subscription required), citing a person familiar with the matter, reported that Fiat is considering adding a gas option to the new 500e to make up for the previous 500, which will no longer meet European Union safety and cybersecurity rules starting in July.

Further evidence of this possibility is that Fiat has asked its suppliers for quotes to increase production capacity at the car's plant in Turin, Italy, from 77,260 units in 2023 to 175,000 units, Automotive News has learned from supplier sources According to the sources, the production capacity will be increased from 77,260 units in 2023 to 175,000 units in 2023. According to the sources, 100,000 of that production capacity will be gas-powered models, with the remainder being electric versions.

If this report proves to be accurate, there is no indication that a gas option will be offered in the U.S.

According to Automotive News, Fiat has set a goal of selling only electric vehicles starting in 2030, so to meet new E.U. rules the company does not intend to update the old 500.

However, the old 500 may continue to be sold outside of Europe. Fiat is considering moving production from Poland to a plant in Algeria to serve the African and West Asian markets.