Electric Fiat 500EV on display at Bologna Motor Show

The Fiat 500EV prototype will be on display at the Bologna Motor Show, December 4-12, 2010.

You can view the 500EV at the �Electric City - powered by Enel� exhibit event which showcases electric cars and their technology. The Fiat 500EV prototype made its debut in March, with a world preview at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, Detroit. Developed by Chrysler based on the Fiat 500, the zero-emission car will be launched in the United States in 2012.


A central feature of the car on display is the power unit composed of three main systems: a high power electric module, an innovative lithium ion battery (produced by SB LiMotive, a joint venture between Samsung of South Korea and Bosch of Germany) and an EV control unit to manage fluctuations in power. All production engineering activity for the power unit and to develop the car will take place at the headquarters of the Chrysler Group, Auburn Hills, Michigan.


Chrysler has the central responsible for developing electric technology for the Fiat Group.


Source: Fiat Group Press

Fiat 500EV on track

Back in March this year, Chrysler announced its plans to build an all electric Fiat 500. Called the 500EV, the model is slated to start production in 2012, and has garnered a lot of attention from electric car enthusiasts.

Then in August, the supplier to the battery packs, Massachusetts based A123, abruptly dropped out of the project, stating that another battery supplier had come forward offering to take on the project for less and that the scope of the program had shrunk.

Chrysler thanked A123 for their work on the project but did not comment any farther.

This fueled speculation as to who was this new supplier and if the 500EV would be stalled.

Now we have our answers, earlier this week, SB LiMotive announced in a press release that they will manufacture lithium-ion cells for the 500EV and the production time frame is still 2012.

This is good news for electric fans! Below is the press release with the details:


SB LiMotive to provide lithium-ion battery packs for Fiat 500EV

- Supply of lithium-ion battery packs marks first step for SB LiMotive
to the U.S. EV market
- Battery supplier for the first commercial electric vehicle program of
Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group
- Production on the all-new full electric vehicle to begin in 2012

ORION, Mich. � SB LiMotive, the joint venture of Samsung SDI and Bosch, has been awarded the business to supply the lithium-ion battery packs for the
Fiat 500EV, which will be launched in the U.S. market in 2012.

The Fiat 500EV, which demonstrates the benefits of the Chrysler and Fiat alliance, will be an environmentally friendly, clean, and quiet vehicle for the U.S. subcompact passenger car market.

The Fiat 500EV powertrain is comprised of three main systems: high power electric powertrain module, advanced lithium-ion battery and an EV control unit to manage power flows. All powertrain engineering and vehicle development will take place at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Vehicle pricing and other specifics will be announced closer to the Fiat 500EV launch.



According to Dr. Joachim Fetzer, Executive Vice President of SB LiMotive, �Chrysler indicated that SB LiMotive earned this business because we can supply high-quality lithium-ion battery packs in the quantities needed, ontime to the market. Additionally, SB LiMotive has the technical expertise Chrysler will require as it launches this important program. Our established global footprint was a further strong point in our favor. We look forward to partnering with Chrysler in bringing this exciting new vehicle to market.�

The battery packs are developed in Orion, Mich.; the battery cells will be produced in Korea; and the battery packs will be assembled in Springboro, Ohio.



In an effort to intensify the benefits of the alliance between Chrysler LLC and Fiat Group in electrification of powertrain, Fiat 500EV will be an outstanding example. The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology. Chrysler is the vehicle electrification center of competence for both Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group.



About SB LiMotive
SB LiMotive was established in September 2008 by Bosch and Samsung SDI. It bundles the know-how of both its parent companies. Samsung SDI brings its extensive large-scale production experience into the partnership as well as manufacturing competence in the area of lithium-ion cell production. Additionally Samsung is an innovation and development leader in lithium-ion technology for use in a wide range of applications, including laptops, cell
phones and power tools. Bosch contributes its comprehensive automotive systems competence which is being applied to integrating the lithium-ion technology into the vehicle. Bosch has extensive experience in hybrid and electric drive technology as well as power electronics, electric motors, transmissions and DC/DC converters.

For more information, visit SB LiMotive here


Source: SB LiMotive

Chrysler to manufacture the Fiat 500EV...

In a surprise move, Chrysler has announced it intends to build the Fiat 500 EV it displayed at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. I have previously reported on that vehicle here, but briefly, this all electric vehicle is different then the electric/gas hybrid Fiat 500 that has been under development in Italy. You can read more about Fiat's hybrid system here.

In the below Chrysler press release, you can read some of the details about the EV system. These details where lacking when the 500EV concept car debuted in Detroit during January this year.

Because details on the 500EV propulsion system were scarce, it was speculated that the 500EV was a distant concept and would not see production anytime soon. I myself felt the hybrid 500 Fiat has been working on would beat the 500EV to production.

When Chrysler had shelved plans on building three electric vehicles previously planned before Fiat became the controlling owner, it was widely assumed that electric vehicles would not be part of a new Chrysler lineup.

Todays announcement dispels that speculation and confirms Fiat's faith in Chrysler's electric vehicle expertise.

Switching gears, on a subject not related to the electric 500, what is noteworthy, at the end of the press release, it confirms the gas Fiat 500 will "...debut in late 2010".

Below is the official Chrysler press release:



Chrysler Group LLC to Develop New Fiat 500 Electric Vehicle for the United States

*New Fiat 500EV demonstrates benefits of Chrysler Group and Fiat Group alliance

*Zero-emission Fiat 500EV provides an environmentally friendly, clean, quiet driving experience freeing customers from escalating fuel costs and costly oil changes


Auburn Hills, Mich., Mar 22, 2010 -

Chrysler Group LLC today announced its plans to engineer and produce a pure electric vehicle using the Fiat 500 platform. Shown earlier this year at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, the Fiat 500EV demonstrates the immediate benefits of the alliance between Chrysler Group and the Fiat Group as well as the speed at which the two companies can work together on advanced vehicle programs.

The alliance with Fiat presented new opportunities to merge Chrysler Group engineering knowledge with new platforms and the Fiat 500EV is an outstanding example of our efforts,� said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President Engineering�Chrysler Group LLC. �The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology.�

The Fiat 500EV powertrain is comprised of three main systems; high power electric powertrain module, advance lithium ion battery, and an EV control unit to manage power flows. Beginning in 2012, Chrysler Group will manufacture the Fiat 500EV for the United States market. All powertrain engineering and vehicle development will take place at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but will be competitive with similar electric vehicles in the market.

Chrysler Group is the vehicle electrification center of competence for both Chrysler Group and Fiat Group. The company is exploring ways to promote zero-emission transportation and the development of an electric-vehicle charging infrastructure through partnerships to be announced in the future.

Last year Chrysler Group announced the company�s intention to build the Fiat 500 with a combustion engine for North America. The vehicle will debut in late 2010.

With thanks to Chrysler Media

The Fiat 500 BEV on display at the North American International Auto Show

At the North American International Auto Show Chrysler displayed an fully electric version of the Fiat 500 called the 500 BEV . The 500 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)is powered by an electric motor and a battery that can be charged using a common household plug. It does not have a gas engine. Under all conditions, it drives using electricity. The 500 BEV can travel up to 200 miles between charges. (beating the Nissan Leaf, also displayed at the Detroit Show).

The 500 BEV uses the interior and body kit from the 500 Abarth, with the rear valance treatment particularly interesting to an Abarth connoisseur.

The Fiat 500 BEV features all electric power

The Fiat 500BEV interior is nearly identical to the 500 Abarth

Transmission control similar to the MTA trans used in the 695 Abarth "Tributo Ferrari"

Hey, where are the tailpipes?

The above is the powertrain of the Fiat 500 Hybrid that Fiat has been developing in Italy. Fiat has been working a new hybrid power system that will power the new Fiat Topolino super mini and the 500 for a while now. I reported on this last April here. The technology works with the 900cc twin turbo SGE (Small Gasoline Engine) gas engine coupled to a new Dual Clutch automatic transmission that has an integral electric motor with next generation lithium-ion battery technology. It is a light, compact system that fits well with cars of reduced size.

The 500 BEV is a very preliminary concept, but the above Fiat Hybrid is much further developed. I would think the Fiat Hybrid system would make its appearance before we see the electric only BEV. We'll have to keep an eye on these technologies as time goes on.

Photos courtesy Chrysler Media and Fiat Group Auto