500e

Make
Fiat
Segment
Hatchback

Of all the brands going towards electrification, the one that seems to be the perfect fit is Fiat. It has small cars, which means long range, cheap cars, which means cheap EVs, and surprisingly fun cars, which electricity can help with. Plus, it didn't want to get left behind with the electric news from Dodge, Jeep and Ram on Stellantis' first EV Day.

The Italian company's angle centers around the clean skies we experienced last year when no one was driving because of the pandemic. It posits that we shouldn't have to feel a global pandemic to get the unpolluted skies. Additionally, Fiat's ethos of simplicity, fun and social relevance fits perfectly with our troubled times.

Fiat CEO Oliver Francois walks us through a little Fiat history before stopping on the already-on-sale Fiat 500e. After showing off the company's roof garden and test track, Francois explains how the green movement fits Fiat, and that it won't have to reinvent the brand to do it. Fiat will embrace full electric vehicles, but then Francois adds "at least in Europe."

Fiat also has a series of light commercial vehicles it will electrify including the e-Ducato van. It also plans to use hydrogen fuel cells by 2022. After, we'll see a passenger vehicle onslaught with every vehicle in its lineup getting some form of electricity. Francois even mentions Abarth, Fiat's ridiculously fun sporty arm, and that it will go electric by 2024.

Fiat will shift to just BEVs (in Europe) between 2025 and 2030, "as soon as we can offer electric at the price of thermic." He points to the Fiat CentoVenti concept that debuted at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show as proof. The EV made to celebrate the company's 120th anniversary was said to come with customizable and upgradeable battery packs, with a base model delivering 62 miles of range.

Each brand in the Stellantis lineup got its own new tagline at EV Day. Fiat's was "it's only green if it's green for all." And though it's easy to be cynical about such things, Fiat has the sheetmetal to truly provide cheap EVs for everyone…at least in Europe. We expect to hear a timeline for the Americas sooner rather than later.