By Kirk Seaman

Fiat has announced what it costs to combine Italian style with all-electric technology: the 500E will start at $32,500 when it goes on sale (available only in California) later this summer. For Golden State residents who are eligible for certain federal credits, state incentives, and Fiat rebates, the price could drop as low as $20,500, or about $200 cheaper than the starting price of a similarly equipped, gas-powered Fiat 500 Lounge. The 500E also will be available for lease, with $999 down and $199 per month for 36 months, which is the same as for a gas-powered Fiat Pop. What makes the 500E most interesting, however, is the special program and features Fiat is introducing to address some of the concerns related to electric-vehicle ownership.

Perhaps the main concern among potential EV owners is driving range. The EPA estimates the 500E should be good for about 87 miles. Not bad for around-town driving, but road trips definitely are not happening. Cargo capacity is another issue; how are you going to move your kid’s stuff to college or do other serious hauling?

Introducing the Fiat 500E Pass Program

That’s where the Fiat 500E Pass program comes in, providing buyers and lessees with up to 12 days of alternative transportation each year for the first three years after the purchase or lease of a 500E. Partnering with Enterprise Holdings (which owns Enterprise, Alamo, and National car-rental companies), the program will give 500E customers access to other vehicles such as gas-powered 500s, the upcoming 500L, the Dodge Dart, or the Chrysler 200. Customers also will have the choice of upgrading to a larger vehicle such as a minivan or a pickup. The 500E Pass program is a standard feature on the car and the program includes unlimited mileage on eligible vehicles used as alternative transportation.

Dedicated Customer Care and Charging Stations

Each Fiat dealership, or “studio” in Fiat parlance, in California will have a staff trained to answer any questions consumers may have about the 500E. Each studio will have a hotline that will connect consumers to experts who can answer questions about the car, including how to file for federal, state, and local tax credits. The hotline experts also will have access to a list of companies in California that offer incentives to employees who purchase an EV.

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After the regular Fiat dealerships have closed for the day, there will be a dedicated customer-care number that consumers and owners can call to answer any questions they might have. Each dealership will offer four charging stations for the use of 500E customers; to help them find other charging points, the standard nav system includes the locations of the nearest charging stations along their routes.

There’s an EV App, Too

In addition to the in-car nav system, 500E customers also will receive a 500E smartphone app (for use with both iPhone and

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