Is an electric Fiat 500 the perfect city car?
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- Опубликовано: 24 дек 2024
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I think the classic Fiat 500 converted to electric is the perfect city car and in this episode I explain why.
Not to be confused with the modern and much bigger Fiat 500e, this is a 1950's Fiat 500d, where the 'd' doesn't stand for diesel in this case. It's small, nippy and has more luggage space than the original petrol version. Coupled with it cute as a button looks it brings a smile to everyone that sees it, including the driver.
This video also is a good reminder that small cars can still have plenty of space and legroom
Unfortunately not these days - people's obsession with safety and technology means cars now cannot have the same car/space ratio as back before. Take a new Fiat 500 - yes it's small but also you can't fit a human in the back, unlike an original Mini or 500...
If you crash, you'll disintegrate
@@prebenjaeger Life is too short to not have fun. I daily drive classic cars and you just have to think about others. I'd rather live for less time having had more fun.
@@prebenjaeger i do not want to be anywhere near a city where you can't be safe in a metal box. That just means you have zero safety outside of one, which is where most people are for most of the time
A city car, especially an EV, needs two other important things: a cute 'tweedle' horn for pedestrians and cyclists, and an extremely loud klaxon-like one for trucks and busses.
Every car should have a train horn to scare the shit out of people that are stupid
Provided it can be heard on the inside as loudly on the outside too because believe it or not- loud noise pollution affects everyone....
EVs fund Russia.
Like the old town or country horns.
@@dallysinghson5569 I added a compressor type horn to my motorcycle and made the mistake of first trying it inside the garage. That was years ago and I think my ears are still ringing! Yikes. But at least I could get the attention of oblivious car and truck drivers who were otherwise determined to run me off the road.
Can't smile big enough on this episode. That Fiat is absolutely GORGEOUS! As a larger fellow, I would absolutely LOVE to drive around town in something that small and simple. Love the controls!
A Citroen Ami awaits you...
Just the cutest automobile in history! Can I hug it!
I just fell in love with this car. What a beautiful work in simplicity and ease. I hate current time cars. Huge, angry face, deigned without any charm… this is a beautiful object like one of those designer chairs.
You can literally HUG that car. And it gives you a pleasant feeling.
Now i LOVE this little car! And i noticed another thing too. I stept away from public transport and got me a 3 wheel motor bike, drivers license for car so this is the only option. Now what i noticed were a lot of very big cars in the city and on the road around the city, only rolling 30 to 50kph when 80kph is allowed. Same on the highway, where 100kph is allowed only rolling around 80kph max. So why all the driving assists, big wheels and power enough to take of in the air, while you only run at slow speeds? That little Fiat is more than enough to roam the city. Simplicity is key these days, no distraction and too many bleeps from any corner of the car. Just driving like you learned. Anyway, i love this little thing and if i had the money, i ordered one that second.
Doing my Service I learned how to operate cars without synchronized gearboxes, which I think the 500 still had in the sixties? My niece had one but I have never driven one. But I remember the Racing Abarth versions from the EU tracks in my youth.
We need these easy car for our complicated City lives
OMG, the last part of the video is perfect. The "before and now" comparison.
Quite a difference 👍😀😀
Speaking of conversion, what if we had a worldwide centralised EV conversion database? A user would look up their model under a manufacturer, then all the shared experience and info from around the world could be shared. Things like ease of conversion, estimated man hours and cost, available kits, tips on getting around awkward parts of the car, and so on. I know there are plenty of forums about, but why not create a neat, shared, centralised resource to pool our efforts?
This is the site you are looking for www.evalbum.com/
The performance version of this was debuted on latest Mission Impossible movie XD
Letting you out of the junctions is the perfect reason to get one
Shocking amount of room in these little cars other than the footwell tends to be a bit tight on the clutch for those with big feet. I'm looking forward to driving a fiat with this kit in it which should happen soon as I'm just waiting for the shop to receive and install it. Kinda kills me a bit to do it (not my car just tasked to get it electrified) but it does allow someone who would never own a classic car to enjoy one. 17hp is already way more fun that it every should be can't wait to see what it's like electric. If your big guy who likes small cars the citroen 2cv is also shockingly large on the inside for such a small package.
I like that they've used a low-power electric motor.
The 500 D was introduced in 1960 and had a 499 cc engine producing 17 bhp, Richard.
Must admit I have a soft spot for the classic Fiat 500. It is an ideal City Car for conversion to an EV. The only drawback is lack of donor cars in the UK due to corrosion. Fantastic video as usual Moggy. It surprised me that Tim could fit in the car😂
Loads of room for such a small car. 👍👍😀
Lots of cheap new sheetmetal you can buy for this car!
Only drse back is they ar3nt environmentally friendly electric cars. EDUCATE YOURSELF
@@hahanah1463 ???
Re: raising the top. In my ‘91 Miata I could do it sitting in the driver’s seat. *That* was quick/cool.
Yup. Simple, effective and quick. Had one for about 10years (Japanese import to the UK)
In the 1960's the Fiat 500's were very useful little city runarounds. Small and practical. In 2023 they are dangerous metal coffins waiting for the occupants to die. They have no crumple zones, airbags, seat belts (worth using) ABS, disk brakes or tires that are safe. A current SUV weighing 2000kg would destroy one in the slightest impact.
They are museum pieces and that is where they belong. Maybe the reason 20 MPH zones are being imposed on everybody.
That is the perfect city car. Plus, it gives me a big smile
You're so right about the little Fiat. The dashboard for a start - you are spot on when you described these God awful touch screens as "rubbish". That applies particularly to the ones that work everything in the car (Mr Tesla, for example). My Mazda has a screen but I never touch it as there is a controller setup a bit like a BMW idrive. I still don't use it though. The other point is the nippiness of the Fiat. I used to drive a Fiat 126, son of Nuova 500, and I understood why the Italians drive the way they do, instantly! Such a manoeuvrable little car, so cheeky you surprise people and they honk at you. Ha ha! They put the fun back into driving.
This must be a really fun car. I despise touch screens too. Too distracting. And way ugly.
On complexity I completely agree, my Toyota bleeps at me many times every trip, and the many sensors will break.
Another cute Fiat with room in the back was the Panda 4x4. Would absolutely go anywhere where normal sized vehicles just wouldn't fit. Had an absolute blast for a 2 week holiday in Italy back in the 80s, we went places where we couldn't have taken the Toyota 4x4 I was going to hire due to it's size
Agreed, we had a friend with a 4x4 and it went anywhere. 👍👍
I had 2 of the Mk 1 Pandas, back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Superb little things and not so ’little’ inside either. Also had a 2003 Smart car, an absolute Tardis of a 2 seater, wonderful beast. I’m 6ft tall and sitting in the seats I couldn’t reach the windscreen without leaning forward and stretching; copious amount of room.
For the last 9 years I’ve had a 1970, left hand drive, FIAT 500. Restored - not by me - and in great condition.
This EV conversion would be perfect, even here in rural Ireland, never go too far in ‘Bella’.
I enquired with a UK conversion company a few years back and was quoted in the region of £30,000 pounds! An absolute impossibility.
Maybe things have changed now so it might be time enquire around again.
Often seen blasting up french mountain roads in winter
With a Panda 4x4 you can go anywhere, in any weather, in any circumstance.
Slap an electric motor onto it, some modern quality-of-life improvements, and you are absolutely king.
Das Panda.
The Fiat 500E IS the perfect city car! I have owned 2 of them (2016 models) here in California where Fiat sold them for several years until 2019. ! Just Love it! Cute, comfy, zippy and well equipped. I am really looking forward to the new version coming out next year - same cute size and shape with a modern, Italian interior.
As an Italian, every time I fly to California I feel a bit uneasy looking at all these gigantic SUVs and light trucks, with one person onboard. In Texas, even worse, with all those damn pickups (always absolutely empty). It really feels like a big slap in the face to the climate crisis and to energy and space efficiency. Then there was my boss. American, not Italian, driving around in his Fiat 500 like he owned the city. That for me was a sigh of relief.
An electric KEI van would be awesome. If you'd be able to use the floorspace for the batteries , lowering center of gravity compared to the fuel one. Those things seem to be in danger of rolling as is. Then give it 70-90hp and it's better in most ways than original. Might have to sacrifice a row of seats or rather their ability to fold flat.
8:00 I have the impression the contemporary Fiat 500s have a much larger turning circle, one closer to a small truck, is that correct?
obviously yes; its gorgeous, tiny and, for the first time in its life, reliable
A SEAT (or FIAT) 600 or 850 would be a little bit better. They are not much bigger externally and they have a little bit more space specially in the back seats. The 600 has suicide doors too in the early versions. The 850 has a 'tail" where the engine is located, so it doesn't take so much space from the back and maybe it can fit some more batteries in the back as well.
From a practical perspective, you`re quite right, but, they aren't quite as cohesive from a styling point of view, are less "cute", & are worth less as a result.
I love the way you located the charge port! :D
Combustion or electric... An old Fiat 500 is a happy smile generator.
The letter "D" precisely refers to the fact that it's the 4th series of the FIAT 500.
It all starts in 1935, when a man by the name of Benito Mussolini calls over FIAT's CEO and commissioned him a "cheap two-seat car that every italian could afford". From this one year later, in 1936, FIAT would present to the world the FIAT 500 "Topolino" (the italian name of Mickey Mouse, called like that in honor of Walt Disney). 500 referred to the fact that the engine was a 500cc. After WW2, in 1948, FIAT would present the Fiat 500 Topolino B, which kept the exact same body but had some technical differences on the engine level. One year later, in 1949, the third model would come out, the FIAT 500 Topolino C, this car got even more technical improvements on the engine and to point that out FIAT decided to give the car a complete restyling of the front, production would continue till 1955, year in which the FIAT 600 would be introduced and kept in production till 1969. In 1957 FIAT came out with a new "little sister" for the 600, the FIAT Nuova 500 (FIAT New 500), also called FIAT 500 D. This new and would be iconic version of the 500 would be in production for 20 years, from 1957 till 1977, with a little over 5.2 million cars produced
An electric Bubblecar might have the edge if you're in town doing a bit of grocery shopping, because you can park them in almost any space. Just make sure that it has a reverse gear. 😉
I have an F 1971 thinking to do the transformation
I sooooooo wish that ECC was in the US. Your projects are freakishly fantastic.
OMG! I'm totally in love. I've always liked a retro Fiat 500, I've also loved the modern Fiat 500 - like a lot. But converted to electric and this simple, this beautiful car is to die for. Wish I lived in the UK to be able to get my hands on one. Fiat 500 would always be my dream car. I live in Turkiye and our economic depression makes cars really hard to reach but I envy this beautiful creature. I loved it. Perfect. BRAVO!
The difference between the old and new 500 is amazing isn't it. Original Mini's and Smart cars would be other ideal conversions. The new Smart FourTwo is way too big. At 5'8", this would be the ideal size for me and my Mrs. Thing is we live in the country in Yorkshire right next to the Peninnes which is just like Wales, very hilly. For me though, a converted Morris Minor would be my choice of EV conversion......
Well about hills the electric motor torque should take care of those without problem!
I would maybe worry more about the reliability of these conversiond and range problems...
Would love an old school Mini van converted to EV, if i could ever afford it.
You don't need to convert Smart For2s, since they also came als electric cars, called Smart For2 ED (as in "Electric Drive"). Which was actually the superior version of the car to begin with, as it didn't have that really awful semi-automatic gearbox.
@@alfonsotatto8365 why do you think it'll be unreliable? There's far less to go wrong than in an ICE vehicle.
I didn't need much convincing, though I think I'd go for a Giardiniera conversion for the extra utility.
This car is respecting the past by her esthetic design and also embracing the future by its electric engine.Perfect conbination from my humble opinion.
I drive a left hand drive roadsweeper in the UK and getting out on kerbside is brilliant.
I just wish it was electric.
It has two diesel engines. One in the truck and one for suction.
I do about 50 miles a day and use 100 litres of diesel every single day.
One day they will be electric I hope.
I’m sure they will be electric before too long as that type of vehicle would be much improved. 👍😀
I had a primrose yellow convertable exactly like this model. A 6'1" I found it much more comfy than a Mini or Imp to drive. However these early models had a windscreen that had a very low brow and you have to get used to ducking your head to see traffic lights/signs.
VW e-Up! The closest thing you can get to a Fiat e-500. We love it ❤
Now you got the fiat topolino
I suppose the only trouble with this is that 500s do hold their value well. So donor cars are not exactly cheap, and then there's whatever the conversion costs... I mean I love this but would you see change from £35k?
For me the cutest cars I can think of have always been the Fiat 500, then the classic BMC Mini. In BEV form they sre even cuter, imo. It's to Fiat's credit that when they redesigned the Fiat 500 they retained a large measure of the original's cuteness. I can't honestly say the same of the BMW Mini. Now both modern version are available in BEV form I'd take the Fiat every time.
You didn't mention the ease of parking! Imagine many another marque of its time: a Citroën 2CV with more power from the electric motor(s) or your popular VW Beetle conversions would serve nicely.
Great point!
A 2cv is at best 32hp but would do nicely with 50hp. The gearbox can take It safely since there are petrol swaps in the 80-110hp range that handle It flawlessly. Other electric conversions are lame (mehari 2cv club cassis). If you can, find a disk brake gearbox.
It's basically like one 2023 FIAT TOPOLINO, for 5k dollars
I'd take the more battery capacity over more lugage space, I can just throw my backpack in the back seat.
Questa vettura, anche se di piccola cilindrata, era considerata un lusso per l'epoca ed i possessori dei privilegiati. Figlia delle ristrettezze economiche fu, insieme alla Vespa, l'inizio di... un nuovo inizio. Bellissimo video
My mate Patric had a 500 and was 6,4. I think Fiat missed a trick by not making them collapsable, so you can fold them up and carry them
I can go one better than you whilst in a joke mode. You need to own TWO Fiat 500s. One for each foot.
Uh, no, Im five ten, my pal Patric was the human freak. Come to that, even fiat 500s are now gigantic! The old ones are still cute as hell though @@peterduxbury927
@@peterduxbury927 Thats Patrick;s size 13 feet, not mine sadly. He was a big lad.
Those old mini cars have more character I think. I really love the old mini Cooper, also this one and many other old ones.
I got the hint from IG. Thanks, Richard. And yes, just checked the numbers. Got it!!!
Beautiful car, the powertrain is affidable, but expensive with installation. Autonomia is simplyvfantastic for round the city.
Always loved the Fiat 500, one day when the kids are out. I’ll try to get one.
Quite the gentleman's cruiser I say
I´d love to have one of those here in Spain. But i think there will be a lot of bureaucratic nightmare to deal with to have it running here.
I would love to be a fly on the wall in your shop! Just to hang out there and watch all these wonderful cars get a new life as electric. Wonderful!
Wow i would rather have this than a regular car.
I suppose the decider is the definition of "City Car". The Fiat sort of has a bit of an edge on the number of passengers. It does have a rear seat so I suppose you can fit four people in it. The ones in back may have to hunch forward just a bit. If being able to hold four people is a factor then your limiting your choices. Next is overal storage. Can it hold 5 bags of groceries? I suppose the primary mission of a city car is to go to market and bring back some grub for the family. 5 bags isn't unreasonable for a trip, if you are going once every couple of weeks or so.
I suppose a VW beetle, Porsche, or a Mini would still fit the bill. I know that Vintage Underground in my home city of Eugene, Oregon, USA, has started doing Mini conversions. They are partnered with Fellten, who I am sure you are familiar with. I am hoping to get in with VUe as a possible new job, wish me luck. Lots of EV conversion kits from EV West for these cars.
There are a number of vehicles I think would be fun as a small daily commuter. I think it would be a hoot to convert an Autozam AZ-1. I doubt Tim would fit. Living in the US I would prefer the left hand drive, but I don't think Autozam even offered it as an option for that car 😿. I know I didn't find any in my searches, nor any info on how to convert from a right hand drive.
I also saw a review of the Pembleton T24 4 wheeler. That car looked like it would be fun to drive. Of course with the engine being right out in the open and in the front, replacing it with an EV would pretty much ruin the whole aesthetic look of the car. I suppose if you got very creative with you fabrication you could make something for the front that looks like a V twin engine but actually contains the electronics and cooling for your EV. 🤔 One feature I found really interesting about the T24 was that the front disc brakes are inbound on the ends of the axles and located on each side of the gear housing. I had never seen that before. I guess there is no reason they couldn't be on that end instead. I just had never thought about it. I love thinking outside the box, and seeing things done differently than the standard. It opens up possibilities you never thought about before.
when you say "put it in 3rd and leave it in 3rd" does that mean use the clutch to put it in third, or because there is no flywheel etc it doesn't need to anymore?
If the motor is not spinning I.e. the car is not moving, you don’t need to use the clutch to put it in 3rd. 👍
Nice when your knee caps are the crumple zone! The reason I like the new cars is because of safety. Love what you do though
So far nothing has beaten original VW Beetle in city driving... If you don't change the weight ratio, it can climb in places where other cars get stuck. I live in small town with very steep hills and I constantly see FWD and 4WD cars get stuck in residential parking lots. Steep hills and traffic lights is another issue as you basically need to snooze on the clutch pedal waiting for the light to change... With VW Beetle I could advance distance of two traffic lights when more modern cars could advance only distance of one.
I love the old Fiats 500, but just like VW Beetle, they failed to replicate the charm of the classic in the more modern car. Even the whole Mini brand with its whole current range of models fails to live up to the original.
For the new car for the city I think the Microlino is just amazing (admittedly inspired by a classic - BMW Isetta). You can park with your door (in front of the vehicle) towards pavement and have both passengers exit and enter safely. I had the fortune of "meeting" it in person on Fully Charged Show in Farnborough earlier this year and I must say there's no way for a massive SUV or truck to create such grins on bystanders as a tiny car.
Being from a part of central Europe formerly East of the Iron Curtain, I'd love to see some EV converted Fiats 126p and Trabants...
Cute as a spotted puppy
There is something that I didn't understood, why did you said that it have to be on 3th gear? Can’t it be changing like a petrol one?
You can put it into any gear but because electric motors have maximum torque from zero rpm it means 3rd gear is perfect from zero mph up to around 60mph
Nice tiny car - the concept now is even better than before! Tanks for sharing!
Glad you like it!
OMG this is amazing. If I had an electric 500 from the fifties like that, here in Milan, I would be the absolute boss of the neighborhood.
Then it would be stolen in a matter of weeks, but that's another story.
What about Lada Niva electric conversion, it is very light car without chassis it's crossover very small and simple?
A while back during a “What’s in the shop” tour, you said that you would do a deep dive into a multi colored Baja bug. That looked like a fun little car. What made that one so special?
Full episode coming soon on that one. 👍
Lovely little thing. 🙂 Jim Bell (Australia)
I would like a late Triumph 2000 in good body condition converted to an EV, or even a Triumph Stag.
this is literally my dream car, I need one of these in the United States
No, you really don't. A golf buggy would be safer. You've no idea just how dangerous these little vehicles are.
@@AnthonyHigham6414001080 don’t care. My dream car is a Fiat 500 from the 1970s running on an electric battery that I can zip through the tiny cobblestone waterfront streets of Newport Rhode Island.
Depends on the range and charge time, city people are busy people with no garages. But if you can top it off while running your errands and drive around in style, why not?
I'd personally add side mirrors and a a quiet klaxon.
What is the average range driving sensibly?. I have mint Seat(Fiat) 600E that could benefit from this kit
My 2015 500e has 24kwh, headrests, and airbags, and since it was purchased used, it was probably a lot cheaper! No touchscreen, but bluetooth to my phone , AC and heat. Where the shifter usually goes, there's just 4 buttons lit, and no clutch pedal to distract you.
Good morning sir… and team …
One question…
While leaving in the original gearbox you obviously keep the cars balance as it was designed and approved.
Having said that, can the gearbox cope with the force of a electric motor..?
Is there not a danger that it would shred the gears ..?🤔
…
And yes you are correct…
The world is waiting for a SMALL car that people can afford 👍
Not for me. I tried to drive one once and found that the easiest way was to sit on a cushion and look out of the sun roof. Tim could obviously get in but could he see out of the windscreen to drive for any reasonable distance without ending up withe a crick in his back or neck?
I’d have to drive it for a few miles and get back to you on that one. 👍👍😀
And now jsut give us a car, with this size, a max speed of 140kmh and a distance oif around 500km under 15000 EUR in the EU and I m sold completely!
clutch in electric car?
Very cool car tho :D I enjoyed watching this
That is a very neat conversion !!
😄I love it!! That's just cuter than heck. It kind of reminds me of the little Crosley we had years ago here in the US. All the best from Gene in Tennessee.
Thanks Gene 👍👍
amazing to see the old vs the new at the end.
Amazing how much larger the new one is. 👍👍
Any idea if one can retrofit an Air conditioner to a converted electric 500?
Yes. ruclips.net/video/s75gJuMS1_M/видео.htmlsi=drnwopy-qEwjIaAv
I’d love to convert mine like this, just the price of the conversion holds me back. And you do miss the sound of that lawnmower 😀
A Mazda MX5 roof is much easier than the Fiat 500. You don't even need to get out to put it up. As for the car being a good city car, yes but for purchase cost and City usability, the new Fiat Tipolino coming in at probably less than £10k in the UK and now looking much better and looking similar to a fiat 500 itself, against the ami looking weird, it looks perfect for a ULEZ situation, if Khan gets his own way without being booted out ?
The new 500 is already a small car but man, when you put it next to the original. It's amazing to see the difference.
YES! I'm convinced. Now, how do I get one delivered or converted in Australia?
We regularly ship kits to Australia. Contact us via the website and we’ll put you in contact with our partners out there. 👍
The Fiat 600 of the '50 and '60 is also an interesting option. Even more the monovolume version the 600 Multipla.
Hmm. I would love to have my 1966 Škoda 1000 MB DeLuxe converted to electric. How much would it cost?
Absolutely wonderful conversion
Theres the Mini to compare it to - the little original, not that truck that BMW make.
hi, i think this litle card coul be perfect if theya have more security and conford because the cars is very prety but the interior is like go back like 50' years in confort, but if you can put actualialy conffort of the cars an the security form the cars now have in this car, this turn this car in most precius card ever made.
What are the range and charging specs? I'm surprised you did not share this.
Range is around 60 miles. Charger is 7kW. 👍
So you really have to put it in reverse with the manual gearbox or can you just reverse the motor turning direction?
At 1:94 tall I consider that "a shoe" 😉
I thought it was illegal for any Briton to say that anything other than the Mini was the perfect city car.
Mini is good too. Maybe the 500 is prettier? 👍😀
Such a pretty little thing. How much does this conversion set you back?
Perfect for my wife! especially she couldn't even drive a modern manual seamlessly not to mention the original old school 500 manual gearbox
Will it out-turn a London cab? Also, how much would one run, converted?
(For comparison, how much would something like an FX-4 or the like run, and would it be legal - with a headlight transplant - south of the Channel? I've wanted a London cab as a gad-about-town-and-to-the-airport vehicle for over a decade now, but since I'm gonna end up in the Netherlands and not the UK, it does complicate things just a bit...)
I’m so in love!!! What’s the sticker price on something like this? Purchase and conversion?
Perfect city car. So small that no family or friends want you to pick them up from airport or railway station. Same with a Porsche 356.
As a young man,I found left hand drive was great for looking at the girls,shops etc when stuck in city traffic !😂 (I had a 500 estate)
You are right Richard it is the perfect city car. I would love one. Bet the new Fiat 500 electric is not as simple inside.