Chrysler Introduces Fiat 500e Electric Vehicle and 500L at LA Auto Show
LOS ANGELES – Chrysler’s Fiat brand brought two new Fiat models to the Los Angeles Auto Show, the new 500e small electric car and its new four-door, five-passenger 500L.
by Staff
December 3, 2012
The Fiat 500e.
2 min to read
The Fiat 500e.
LOS ANGELES – Chrysler’s Fiat brand brought two new Fiat models to the Los Angeles Auto Show, the new 500e small electric car and its new four-door, five-passenger 500L.
500e
Starting with the 500e, the EV features an all-new battery electric powertrain that produces 111 hp and can recharge in less than four hours via a 240V Level 2 charger. Fiat estimates the vehicle has 80 miles of range, but more than 100 miles in city driving conditions.
Ad Loading...
Fiat made the vehicle more aerodynamic, improving its coefficient of drag (Cd) to 0.311 compared to the 2013 Fiat 500 Lounge’s 0.359 Cd, achieved via eight exterior enhancements, according to the brand.
Inside the cabin, the Fiat 500e features a 7-inch instrument cluster display that shows vehicle functions, charge levels, and trip summary information. The vehicle also comes with a new TomTom navigation unit that lets the driver see the 500e’s charge schedule, power flow, range, and to find nearby charging stations.
The 500e also features an all-new electronic shifter with push-button transmission mode selection. The interior is available in a black color called “Nero” and a white called “Steam,” and is highlighted in Electric Orange.
Fiat is also offering an all-new Fiat 500e iPhone and Android-device-compatible smartphone app. The app provides real-time vehicle status, can manage charging, track’s vehicle energy use, locates the vehicle and nearby charging stations, sends routes to the vehicle, and can send text-message alerts.
The 500 will be available in California during the second quarter of 2013.
Ad Loading...
500L and 500L Trekking
The 500L is the Fiat 500’s bigger, four-door five-passenger cousin. The 500L is based on Fiat’s new “small-wide” vehicle architecture, according to Chrysler, which gives the vehicle 26 inches of length and 6 inches in height and width compared to the Fiat 500.
Under the hood, the 500L comes with a 1.4L MultiAir turbocharged engine that can produce 160 hp and 184 lb. ft. Transmission choices include a six-speed dual dry clutch or a six-speed manual version.
The 500L will come in four models, one of which includes the “Trekking” edition, which Fiat showed during its press conference at the LA Auto Show. The Trekking edition features a two-tone black/brown interior, Chrysler’s all-new Uconnect 5.0 infotainment system and media hub, distinctly styled front and rear fascias, and larger 17-inch aluminum wheels.
The 500L is set to go on sale in mid-2013, according to Chrysler.
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.
After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.