Electric cars: present or future? The thought of Fiat
Fiat believes in the future of the electric car, and has decided to drastically lower the group's average CO2 emissions along the road to zero emissions.
Fiat laid down the foundations for what could be the car of the future already in 2019 at the Geneva Motor Show, with the new Fiat Centoventi, an electric utility concept that recalls the design of the most compact crossovers. The Centoventi focuses on electric and sustainable mobility with zero emissions; its first feature is the platform, that allows it to accommodate up to four battery packs. Each module offers 100 km of range, the fifth is positioned between the front and rear seats.
In 2020 the iconic Fiat 500 electric made its debut, running on battery power only and giving up on petrol and diesel engines.
Traveling towards the electric
When we talk about electric cars, we are also talking about the future. Indeed, many countries already believe in the advantages of this type of car, adopting incentive programmes for the purchase of electric cars. The electric car is one of the major trends in the automotive industry, a key component that is attracting everyone's interest. But what is an electric car, and why is it so important? The electric car is, quite simply, a car that uses electricity through charging, and not petrol or other fuels employed in cars. Unlike hybrid cars, electric cars have zero emissions impact. Since the engine noise is absent, an obligation has been introduced for manufacturers to equip electric cars with sound synthesizers to warn pedestrians of their arrival.
The acronym BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) is also used for the electric cars, because the car is refuelled by recharging the batteries using electricity from the public or private electric charging networks. Recharging can therefore take place using the charging stations spread around the country, or with a domestic electric outlet.
Recharging an electric car is easy and can be performed anywhere there is a socket or charging station. Public charging stations are also available at petrol stations, car parks, restaurants, hotels and other locations.
Electric vehicle charging times vary greatly depending on the type of charging, power and capacity of the battery.
Electric car: good for you and for the environment
Electric cars offer several advantages, both personal and environmental, especially in practical terms. Below, we try to summarise them in a few steps.
1. Free access to limited traffic areas.
As non-polluting vehicles, electric cars have free access to urban areas. In any case, however, you must still apply for permission from the local council.
2. Reduced energy costs.
Electric recharging is cheaper than any other fuel, with an average cost of less than 1 euro per 100 km. That is, up to about five times less than other fuels.
3. Ease of driving.
The electric car is perfect for city driving. You drive with one foot and it provides instant acceleration.
4. Comfort.
The electric car produces almost no noise and offers a relaxing environment, which significantly reduces the stress of driving.
5. Maintenance.
The mechanics of electric cars, from the engine to the transmission, are much simpler than those of a traditional car, because there are fewer components and fewer liquids to refill. Thanks to regenerative braking, even the brakes are used less than in traditional cars.
Costs and time of recharging
The charging time of electric car batteries varies depending on the battery type and how it is connected to the mains.
One of the main challenges for car manufacturers interested in electric cars is the research and development of batteries allowing for range and quick recharging. The batteries of modern electric cars, mostly lithium (Li) batteries, are quite durable.
There are different ways to recharge at public stations, that can be selected based on the frequency of the charging needs. The energy can be paid either through a fixed monthly subscription, that allows to recharge up to a pre-defined amount of energy per month, or through a pay-per-use fee, usually higher when compared to the kWh cost of subscriptions. Additional session fees might be applied based on the Operator or the e-Mobility Service Provider (e-MSP). The car can be charged at home through a dedicated device (wallbox) or connecting the charging cable to a power outlet. The costs to recharge at home vary mostly based on the power requirements and the energy provider. An additional meter can be installed, upon customer choice, to account for the charging energy expenses separately.
Recharging at your fingertips
Generally, electric car charging times depend on their capacity. And above all on the power (kW) of the recharge and the maximum power of the car charger.
The simplest and most common way to charge an electric car is to connect it to the normal electric power supply, but to obtain faster charging , the owner can buy a wallbox or access a public charging stations. Wallbox refers to the dedicated charging device that can be installed at home, or at one's workplace, capable of recharging the car quickly.
Fast charge stations are located in strategic city locations, in the city centre, or near tourist attractions and shopping malls. They have very high power ratings, ranging from 50 to 150 kW.
Electric vehicles can be charged in public areas using alternating current (Modes 2 and 3) or direct current (Mode 4). The Mode 2 cable is usually supplied with the electric vehicle and can be used to connect to some public columns.
There is no pre-defined time for charging an electric car. . It can take from some minutes to several hours depending on the kWh of the vehicle battery on the power of the charging point and the car charger. Charging times are also affected by the temperature of the external environment and the state/level of degradation of the battery. The charging speedmight not be always constant over time, and may drop after the charging status has reached about 80%.
Discover all the advantages of an electric car with Fiat GOe LIVE app, tracking the driving behavior of any car and comparing it to the New Fiat 500. Estimate the cost of each trip and find out the total savings you could get with the New Fiat 500.
