Abarth 600e – MPG and running costs
Efficiency is far from best in class. Combine this with a relatively small battery pack and overall range is lower than most of its rivals
One of the 600e’s biggest downfalls is its range, as while it has all of this extra performance, its 54kWh (51 usable) battery pack is no larger than that of an ordinary Fiat 600e. The result is a 207-mile WLTP combined range estimate, which drops in real world use on not-so-efficient British back roads.
Our time in the 600e saw charge drop by well over 10 per cent on a short 10 minute spirited run, with average efficiency of just above 1 mile/kWh. An hour-long spirited drive on undulating British B-roads saw quoted efficiency at 2 miles/kWh, which is better, but still poor. While these were hardly an everyday drive, this goes some way to proving how poor the range can be when using the performance on offer.
The 600e’s price point is impressive, having been dropped to under the £40k mark post launch in order to avoid the luxury car tax. This is felt in some of its underpinnings, though, including its peak charging speed, with it coming in at just 100kw at compatible stations. Granted, its 54kWh battery pack is smaller than most and so will take less time to fill as a result, but a quicker fast charging speed would be nice to have given its ability to quickly drain the battery.