If your 2015 Fiat 500e needs an EV battery replacement, it could cost you more than $30,000, which is significantly more than the car is worth. You can get a remanufactured battery for cheaper—around $5,00 to $7,000—but, given the value of the vehicle, that price still might not be worth it.
The first generation Fiat 500e became popular thanks to its fun style and zippy performance. While it isn't the most spacious car on the road—nor does it have the greatest range for an EV—it charges quickly and darts around town with an enjoyable blend of battery-supplied power and Italian sportiness. But if your 500e EV battery fails, you might be looking at a steep repair bill.
Thankfully, the car insurance
comparison app, Jerry
, is here to break down your 2015 Fiat 500e battery replacement costs. We'll cover everything you need to know in the event your battery fails, and we'll even include some tips for saving on Fiat 500e insurance costs
! How much does it cost to replace a 2015 Fiat 500e battery?
The Fiat 500e is powered by a 111-horsepower electric motor and a 24-kWh liquid-cooled/heated lithium-ion battery. If that battery fails, the cost to replace it with a new, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part is upwards of $30,000.
The battery itself accounts for the majority of that price and costs roughly $29,750, while the cost of labor generally falls somewhere between $350 and $450. Considering the value of a used 2015 Fiat 500e is typically between $7,000 and $12,000, it probably doesn't make sense to drop that kind of cash on a new battery.
Alternatively, you could choose to purchase a remanufactured battery for your replacement, which will run you between $5,000 and $7,000, plus labor costs. A remanufactured battery is an OEM part that has been rebuilt by professionals to meet the manufacturer's standards. While this is the cheaper option, remanufactured batteries might not last as long or deliver the same levels of performance as a new one.
While these prices might leave you feeling like your best option is to cut your losses and leave your old 500e behind, there is some good news. Fiat covers its electric vehicle batteries for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Since its modest range means many drivers have yet to put 100,000 miles on their cars, and because it has not been quite eight years since the 2015 model was released, the EV batteries in most 2015 500e vehicles should still be covered by the warranty.
MORE: Everything you need to know about Fiat electric cars
Can you put a new battery in an old Fiat 500e?
With first-generation 500e vehicles no longer in production, you might be wondering if it's possible to replace your old battery with one from the second generation or even from a different EV entirely.
While it is possible to replace your stock battery with one from a different model year or different EV, it will require vehicle modifications and probably won't be the most economical move. Even if you find a repair shop willing to undertake the job, you'll still likely be able to find a used Fiat 500e for less than what you'll end up paying for the battery replacement.
Fiat 500e battery capacity and range
With all this talk about the first-gen 500e cars and their batteries and range, you might be curious about how the two generations compare to each other. Let's take a look together and see how the first generation compares to the second.
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First generation: 2013-2019 | | |
Second generation: 2020-present | | 115 miles (24 kWh) to 199 (42 kWh) miles |
MORE: Are Fiats expensive to maintain?
How long does a 2015 Fiat 500e battery last?
The Fiat 500e EV battery should last between 10 and 20 years or approximately 100,000 miles. Because they are liquid-cooled/heated, the Fiat EV batteries have significantly fewer problems than competitors like the Nissan Leaf
. However, all lithium-ion batteries will degrade over time, and you should expect to lose between 0 and 2% battery capacity each year, depending on your driving habits. Even though your lithium-ion battery will inevitably degrade over time, there are some things you can do to prolong its life. To protect your EV battery, follow these steps:
Avoid extremely hot temperatures. Depending on where you live, it may be difficult to always avoid hot weather, but you should park your Fiat 500e indoors whenever possible. High temperatures accelerate lithium-ion battery degradation and can reduce the life of your EV battery.
Skip the fast charger. The Fiat 500e does not come equipped with a fast-charging port. However, many owners have customized their 500e vehicles to allow for the use of fast-charging stations. But fast charging is not good for your EV battery, and avoiding the use of fast chargers will prolong your battery life.
Don't charge all the way to 100%. It might seem irrational, but charging your EV battery up to 100% can actually accelerate its degradation. Instead, shoot for the 80% mark. It will prolong your battery's life, and you'll sacrifice very little range.
MORE: What is the maximum Fiat 500e range?
How to save on Fiat 500e insurance
While it's critical that you take steps to prolong the life of your EV battery, it's not the only form of vehicle maintenance you need to include in your car-care plan. A quality car insurance
policy is equally essential and legally required in all but two U.S. states. One of the best ways to ensure that you're getting the best rate for the right coverage is by regularly shopping around and comparing plans. While that process used to be tedious and time-consuming, those days are over, thanks to the trusted broker app
, Jerry
. It only takes a few minutes to download the app and sign up. Then, Jerry will take care of the hard work for you by comparing policies and rates from dozens of today's best providers. All you have to do next is wait for the savings, which average more than $800 per year!
"Jerry
has amazing communication! And even better deals! Thanks to Jerry, I went from $327 to $182 on my payments. I'm so grateful!" —Kim T.
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