The Fiat 500e is a more advanced and refined car than the beloved gas-powered Fiat 500. However, it also comes with several problems that interested buyers ought to know about. But what is the Fiat 500e charging & electrical problems?
Common Fiat 500e charging and electrical issues are bad battery, battery draining, and limited chargers. Additionally, some users have complained about charging being too slow and damaged wire harnesses.
More Fiat 500e problems.
What are the Fiat 500e charging and electrical problems?
Bad battery
Batteries are some of the most important parts of an electrical vehicle. After driving the Fiat 500e for several miles, you may start to experience several battery issues. Most battery problems are caused by overuse, age, or even weather conditions.
Most Fiat 500e users have complained about the battery losing its charge. To avoid most battery-related problems with your Fiat 500e, you should pay attention to how you use your car and how much charge the car has before driving it.
If the battery has failed or it’s not holding a charge, then you will have to visit a Fiat service center for a checkup. It may be repaired or replaced depending on the problem. Note that replacing the battery can be quite costly.
Battery draining
Another issue that Fiat 500e users have complained about is battery drainage. However, this problem is more common with Fiat 500e from colder areas. As expected, Fiat 500e cars in colder temperatures will usually drain the battery faster than those in mild temperatures.
Some studies even show that EVs can lose up to 32% of their charge in cooler areas. For this reason, it is important to keep the battery charged and it should be warmed up before driving. Aside from cold temperatures draining the Fiat 500e’s battery, it will also reduce the battery’s lifespan.
Damaged wire harness
This problem is common in older Fiat 500e models. The wiring harness in an EV helps to handle the energy and information flow within the E/E system to carry out primary car functions, like braking and steering as well as secondary car functions, like infotainment and ventilation.
So, if the wiring harness in the Fiat 500e is damaged, then these functions won’t work properly. Ensure to visit the Fiat service center or a professional mechanic for repair or replacement.
Limited chargers
Fiat provides its users with the Fiat Level-1 EVSE charger. It is the recommended charger for the Fiat 500e. With that said, some users have tried to use other chargers and they have had trouble charging their cars. One user installed a Clipper-creek LCS-25 EVSE charger, and it wasn’t compatible with his car.
However, some users have had success using the level-2 Clipper-creek LCS-25 charger. One client stated that he received an error message, stating, “P0D27-00 BATTERY CHARGER 1 INPUT VOLTAGE TOO LOW.” The main reason why the Clipper-creek LCS-25 charger is not compatible with some Fiat 500e is due to incompatibility.
The top-right pin is smaller than the top-left pin. The two pins must be of the same size for the charger to be functional. So, before you acquire a universal charger, you should ensure it is compatible with your car.
The charging is too slow
Finally, several users have also complained about the car charging too slowly. This is not an issue experienced by Fiat 500e users alone, but as well as other EV owners. Many users have complained about the speed of charging the Fiat 500e as it takes slightly longer.
For instance, it takes up to 30 minutes to charge the 24 kWh battery from 10% to 80% using the fast charger. And for the bigger 42 kWh battery, it takes 35 minutes to charge the battery from 0% to 80% at 85 kWh. But when you charge from home, it can even take several hours.
So, this is something that Fiat 500e users should get used to. For fast charging, a fast charger should be used.
FAQ
Is the Fiat 500e a reliable car?
Yes, the Fiat 500e is a reliable car. It is also efficient and durable. On the contrary, the original Fiat 500 gas-powered model is not very reliable. The Fiat 500e is more reliable than its combustion counterpart as it comes with a few moving parts.
What are the common problems with Fiat 500e?
The Fiat 500e is a reliable and comfortable car. Nonetheless, it also comes with multiple issues, including charging problems, electrical issues, battery problems, and software issues. If you want to avoid most of these problems, you should ensure to take good care of the car and carry out repairs on time.
How long does the Fiat 500e battery last?
With proper care and maintenance, the Fiat 500e battery will last between 10 and 20 years. This will depend on how well you maintain your car and how often you drive it. Note that the Fiat battery will degrade at a rate of 0% to 2% per year.
What is the range of the Fiat 500e?
The Fiat 500e is fitted with a capacity of 42.2 kWh (gross) and 37.3 kWh (net), providing the electric car a range of 164 miles or 264 km under the WLTP driving cycle with the standard 17-inch wheels. But if the car is fitted with 18-inch wheels, the range will be reduced to 157 miles or 253 km.
Is it expensive to maintain the Fiat 500e?
No, maintaining the Fiat 500e is quite cheaper than the traditional Fiat 500 combustion engine models. This is because the Fiat 500e doesn’t use fuel and it’s cheaper to charge the cars than to refill a Fiat 500. What’s more, maintenance costs for the Fiat 500e are up to 35% less than combustion engine Fiat 500 models.
Conclusion
Even though the Fiat 500e is refined, 61 mm longer, 56 mm wider, and 29 mm longer than its gas-powered predecessor, it still registers multiple issues. Some of the most common electrical and charging problems with the Fiat 500e are bad batteries, damaged wire harnesses, and draining batteries.
Like most cars, good care and maintenance of the Fiat 500e will help to avoid some of the above issues and prolong its lifespan.