The Fiat 500 Electric or cinquecento is unmistakably Italian, like the Vespa, its image is universally linked with Italy. Deriving from the original Fiat 500 Topolino, meaning little mouse the 500 was produced to be an affordable, small car for everyone.

Designed by Dante Giacosa and launched in July 1957 this tiny car that evolved for use in the narrow city streets very quickly earned the name of, ‘the people’s car’. Measuring just over 2.5 metres long (9 feet) and powered by a 479 cc two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, it was considered to be the first true city car for the Italian driving population. At its conception many car manufacturers were trying to develop the perfect small car with a low retail price; Volkswagen; which actually translates as, peoples car, had achieved great popularity with their, Beetle with its rear engine, a design concept Fiat would adopt in the construction of their own economy car.

The rounded shape and rear engine of the Fiat 500 soon went on to inspire other car manufacturers to emulate its design. With permission from Fiat, Steyr-Puch in Austria produced their own quasi-500 model, but it was Fiat’s model that proved popular, not only at home but throughout the European mainland. Production of the iconic Cinquecento ran for only eighteen years, from 1957 to 1975, but it had already secured its place in people’s hearts, both because of the low maintenance costs and fuel economy. Fiat 500 Electric is perfect for everyone!