Chrysler ’s once-promising Envi electric car program might now be a thing of the past thanks to new owner Fiat, but that didn’t stop the American-Italian automaker from confirming its plans to introduce a battery-powered Fiat 500EV in 2012.
Earlier this year, Fiat took to the stage for the first time in decades at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a concept version of an all-electric Fiat 500; now, the automaker confirmed that Chrysler will manufacture the 500EV beginning in 2012 for North American consumption.
Neither automaker has released many details on the project other than stating that all of the 500EV’s powertrain and product development will be led by Chrysler ’s Auburn Hills, Michigan, headquarters.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, although Chrysler and Fiat said that it will be “competitive with similar electric vehicles in the market,” a tough figure to calculate given the absolute lack of similar electric vehicles currently on offer for purchase in North America.
The 500EV will use a high power electric powertrain module that gets its go from an advanced lithium ion battery, although performance specifications are as of yet unknown.
