Comparing the 2014 FIAT 500e to the 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV

As more and more individuals are considering the ramifications and cost of fossil fueled vehicles, the decision to invest in greener mobility is becoming more common. Investments in greener transportation options have not only a long term return by reducing fuel costs, they also have the benefit of tax subsidies or credits. While high mpg and hybrid cars are one option, an alternative is the purchase of a fully electric automobile.

The market for electric vehicles is growing with more companies adding an increasing number of models yearly. Knowing which car provides the best benefits, not only in cost savings but in overall look and feel is now a lot easier. The 2014 FIAT 500e sets itself apart from other cars. Not only because it utilizes excellent battery technology which gives better charging performance, but it is designed and manufactured by a company with a long history of producing quality vehicles.

The best way to understand the benefits of FIAT 500e is to compare it with another, similar car on the market. The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV provides an excellent comparison model. Both the FIAT 500e and the Chevrolet Spark EV are full electric cars. Both models are in current production and are on the market.

The price point of both vehicles are within range of each other after tax credits are accounted for. The FIAT 500e has a MSRP starting at $31,800 before incentives and the Spark EV MSRP is $26,685 before incentives. After incentives, both vehicles range between $18,000 to $19,000 depending on options. As for leasing consideration, both vehicles offer a $999 down and $199 option.

With costs being similar, the next comparison is performance. The FIAT 500e utilizes a single speed transmission with an electric motor producing 111 horsepower equivalence. This translates into 147 lb.-ft. of torque. The Chevrolet Spark EV has a little more horsepower and torque at 130 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. While it might seem that more horsepower and torque would be better, that is not necessarily the case. In order to fully understand how these numbers translate into performance, the weight dispersion in the vehicles has to be considered.

Both the Chevrolet Spark EV and the FIAT 500e use lithium battery technology. However, the battery in the FIAT is located under the floor of the cabin as opposed to the Spark EV which has the battery pack located in the rear. The 400 lb.-ft. of torque is needed to pull the battery pack along, where as the FIAT battery disperses the weight making the design more efficient for energy use. Also the FIAT 500e battery uses an active heating and cooling system to get the most efficient energy utilization from the power pack.

Range anxiety still exists with both cars, as the range for the FIAT 500e is 87 miles to 100 miles while the Spark EV has a range of approximately 82 miles on a single charge. Both cars have regenerative braking to help extend range but the FIAT 500e still has the advantage due to a more efficient weight design. The anxiety is lessened by one of the huge benefits of the FIAT 500e over the Spark EV. That is the charging time. For the FIAT 500e the charging time to full is 4 hours as opposed to 7 hours for the Spark. This means that the FIAT 500e can spend more time on the road and less in the garage.

The FIAT 500e has a clear advantage over the Chevrolet Spark EV, not only in performance but handling and driving characteristics. By all standards, the FIAT 500e is an efficient electric car. One that is backed by the quality and expertise of FIAT.

McKevitt FIAT, located in Berkeley, sells & services FIAT cars throughout the entire Bay area. This includes San Francisco, Marin, Oakland and Alameda. If you are searching for FIAT dealers using the keywords Fiat dealers in South San Francisco or South San Francisco FIAT, call or visit our dealership today!