Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Video: Electric Fiat 500 - Not the new one, a converted one

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People are loving the new Fiat 500 (me, too) but there's something more that could be done to green it up: make it an EV. With this thought in mind, an Italian association called Euro Zev has decided to convert a 1970 Fiat 500 into an all-electric vehicle. Their idea is that with so many 500s and other older cars that pollute considerably on Italian roads, it's a good idea to convert them to EV instead of letting them rest on a junkyard. The video shows the presentation of the car in a centric piazza in the center of Torino (Fiat's homeland).

The choice of this model wasn't meant as an homage to the iconic Italian car but as a practical decision. It's small yet it can still seat four (more or less), it's short and it's got decent aerodynamics

The specifications for the converted Cinquecento are as follows: It's got lithium-powered batteries. It can run up to 100 km (about 60 miles) and has a maximum speed of 100 km/h (60 mph). A full load takes 5 hours and battery life expectancy is 200,000 km (130,000 miles). Cost? Hmmm.

One of the things Euro Zev remarks at its site is how difficult it is to pass the Vehicle Inspection Test in Italy. They actually suggest bringing it to Germany and getting it homologated at any TÜV.

Watch a second video, one that shows the conversion process, after the jump.

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[Source: Google videos]

 

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