Connect with us

Published

on

In order to compete with other automakers and garner a larger slice of the EV market, Stellantis shared that it is developing a second, lower-priced EV inspired by the Panda from its sub-brand Fiat. The new Fiat EV is expected to arrive priced below €25,000.

Today’s news is one of several strategies multinational automotive corporation Stellantis is enacting to not only stay relevant in an industry accelerating toward electrification, but excel in it. Criticized by some as laggards to EVs, Stellantis has been making moves lately to truly compete globally.

In the last few months alone, Stellantis has formed a joint venture with Foxconn to produce EV semiconductors, revealed a new EV platform for global EV brands like Jeep, and green-lit plans for a second EV battery manufacturing facility in the US alongside Samsung SDI.

The automaker was also one of seven in the recently announced alliance to deliver a universal EV charging network to North America. As Stellantis advances its offensive in the US on the wings of marques like Ram and Fiat, it is also targeting a potentially fruitful market in Europe in which consumers are seeking smaller, more affordable EV options.

It may take a year or two, but Stellantis says it will introduce a new, affordably priced Fiat EV to Europe to compete with automakers already promising similar options.

Fiat EV
The Renault Dacia Spring Electric – one of the EVs Fiat is looking to compete against in Europe / Credit: Renault

New Fiat EV will compete with Renault, BYD in EU to begin

According to Bloomberg, Stellantis intends to introduce a second economically priced EV to its lineup under the Fiat brand one year from now. According to Fiat CEO Olivier Francois, the new EV will be priced under €25,000 ($27,500) and will take design cues from the Panda seen in the featured image above.

Francois also stated that the incoming Fiat EV will challenge Renault’s Dacia Spring (seen above). Another target could be the growing number of BYD EVs in Europe like the Atto 3. If and when it does arrive, the new Fiat EV will join the e-C3 from fellow Stellantis sub-brand Citroen as the second EV model priced below the €25K benchmark.

The e-C3 is also intended to compete against the electric Dacia Spring in the EU, but should begin sales at least six months before the new Fiat is even unveiled. Given that both Fiat and Citroen exist under the Stellantis umbrella, it’s safe to say that the two affordably priced EVs will share some DNA. Fiat’s CEO said as much in a recent interview, stating, “It’s very likely that there will be synergies.”

No word yet on if the US market will see the new Panda-inspired EV – Fiat’s immediate focus across the pond is the return of the 500e, while Stellantis continues to introduce larger electric models under the Ram and Jeep marques.

Fiat may not be the most prominent brand in the US, but a compact $27,500 EV could certainly garner some looks from American consumers if the range is reasonable. We will have to see what it looks like next summer and how it fares in a competitive market in Europe that gravitates more toward smaller vehicles.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Past classic that deserves the electric update: Buick Electra Grand National

Published

on

By

Past classic that deserves the electric update: Buick Electra Grand National

The current EV era is ripe with revered classic car designs and iconic nameplates that are being reborn as battery-powered rides – and the success of cars the Renault 5 proves it can be a winning formula. Today, I’m suggesting another 1980s classic that deserves a modern electric update: the Buick Grand National.

I want to start this off by saying: yes, I know there was never a Buick Electra Grand National. The storied, turbocharged Buick GNX of yore was based on Buick’s Regal model, not the more ponderous Electra – but this is my article, and I think the “Electra” nameplate belongs on a US-market EV significantly sooner than later.

As for the “Grand National” part, the timeslip will solve that.

Why it would work


Cadillac CELESTIQ; via GM.

Thanks to the nearly $300,000 Cadillac CELESTIQ ultra-luxury car, we’ve already seen GM put a low-slung sedan body on its EV skateboard. That car uses a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, for a 655 hp all-wheel driving experience capable of launching the big sedan from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Putting those same motors under a shorter, lighter two-door sedan body would put my proposed all-electric Buick Electra at just under 6,000 lbs., and make the new car more than quick enough to earn the Grand National badge with a 3.5-second dash to 60 on its way to an 11.25 (ish) second quarter mile at about 120 mph. As for cost? You could almost name your price, but keeping it just under the Chevy Corvette’s $74,780 base price would make it a winner.

Limit production to 1987 units, make them order-only so dealers can’t ruin the party with obscene markups, and Buick can watch the money roll in … possibly.

You guys are smart, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find all the problems with this particular take – and I can’t wait to hear them! Should it be RWD only? A plug-in hybrid? Scroll on down to the comments and let me know what you think it would take to make a battery-powered Buick GNX revival make sense.

Original content from Electrek.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Ride farther, climb higher, smile wider – meet the Cikada Touring e-Bike

Published

on

By

Ride farther, climb higher, smile wider – meet the Cikada Touring e-Bike

If you’ve been dreaming about hitting the open road on two wheels with serious power, comfort, and style, the Cikada Touring e-Bike might just be your perfect ride. Designed for modern explorers who want adventure without compromise, this premium e-bike blends high-end performance with thoughtful design.

Smooth power that takes you everywhere

At the heart of the Cikada Touring e-Bike is a BaFang M410 350W motor that packs a punch with 80Nm of torque and provides assisted speed of up to 20 mph.

Mounted at the bike’s center, the motor’s placement creates ideal weight distribution, boosting traction and handling on everything from steep climbs to winding trails. Its compact design integrates seamlessly into the frame, keeping the center of gravity low for a more stable, confident ride that feels naturally in sync with your movements.

You’ll climb hills like a pro and accelerate with ease. It’s efficient, reliable, and perfect for riders who want consistent power for touring, commuting, or weekend adventures. Plus, it’s got walk assistance for when you’re not riding.

Go the distance

Worried about running out of juice? Don’t be. The 720Wh LG 21700 removable battery delivers a range of up to 75 miles (121 km) on a single charge. That’s plenty of power for long scenic routes, daily commutes, or even multi-day rides when you want to explore more and charge less. And when it’s time to juice up again, it only takes six to eight hours to reach full charge.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Built for comfort and confidence

No matter where the road takes you, the Cikada Touring e-Bike is ready. Its 27.5 x 2.8-inch Kenda anti-puncture tires with reflector strips keep you rolling smoothly and safely, while the suspension fork absorbs bumps across various terrains. Add an ergonomic design and 6061 aluminum frame, and you’ve got a bike that feels stable, balanced, and built to last.

Hydraulic disc brakes give you confident stopping power, and with 8-speed Microshift gearing, you’ll have full control over every incline and descent.

Everything you need, built in

The Cikada Touring e-Bike comes fully equipped for adventure. With integrated rear rack, lights, and mudguards, it’s road-ready right out of the box. No extra accessories needed – just hop on and ride.

Plus, the integrated Bafang system means your motor, sensor, and display all work seamlessly together for a smooth, intuitive riding experience.

Take it to the next level with the Cikada app

Plan, manage, and customize your next adventure with the Cikada app. Available on Android and iOS, it pairs your smartphone to your e-bike via Bluetooth so you can dive into real-time performance data, service tools, and smart ride features that make every journey smoother and more connected. You can track your progress, analyze past rides, fine-tune your ride settings, check your bike’s status, and even share your location or ride stats with the Cikada community, all from one easy-to-use dashboard.

Why riders love it

The Cikada Touring e-Bike is more than just a good-looking ride. It’s a thoughtful blend of power, endurance, and comfort – ideal for riders who want to explore new places, tackle longer distances, or simply enjoy every mile with confidence.

Plus, Cikada offers a 30-day trial period on all its e-Bikes. If you’re not happy, Cikada refunds your purchase, no questions asked.

Ready to tour farther, climb higher, and ride in style? Check out the premium Cikada Touring e-Bike and start your next great adventure.

Follow Cikada on Facebook and Instagram.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Target picks Chevy Brightdrop for your next Frontdoor delivery

Published

on

By

Target picks Chevy Brightdrop for your next Frontdoor delivery

It looks like retail giant Target has been reading our posts about the Chevy Brightdrop being the best deal in the commercial EV business, because the company has picked GM’s electric box van to pilot a new, dedicated last-mile delivery service in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The new pilot program will see 50 new Chevy Brightdrop vans deployed in a collaboration between Target, Circuit EV Solutions, and a last-mile logistics startup called the Frontdoor Collective that relies on its franchise owners to make its deliveries instead of outsourcing that delivery work to independent contract carriers gig workers.

“We’re building the infrastructure backbone that makes high-volume electric delivery possible nationwide,” said Adam Greenberg, CEO at Circuit EV Solutions. “By ensuring fleets have the charging support they need, we’re removing the final barrier to true EV scalability in last-mile logistics.”

Circuit EV Solutions provides the backbone of the highly-visible Target collaboration, delivering the fleet management and charging software to monitors vehicle health, schedule depot charging, and ensure that every Chevy Brightdrop van leaves the hub with an optimally full battery and a fully optimized delivery route, eliminating range anxiety among the vans’ operators.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Chevy Brightdrop


Chevrolet BrightDrop ZEVO; via GM.
Chevrolet BrightDrop ZEVO; via GM.

Chevrolet Brightbrop electric vans were designed with last-mile delivery efforts in mind, and offers a best-in-class 272 miles of combined range, large, squared-off cargo hold for maximum capacity, and lower maintenance and fuel costs than the ICE-powered competition.

For independent delivery service providers, that’s a killer combination that can help translate to higher margins and more time back in their busy days to spend with their families – which is something I think we can all get behind.

Click here to find out if your business can take advantage of special tax incentives with the purchase of a new electric van, and click the link, below, to check out a new Brightdrop van near you.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Circuit EV, via Freightwaves.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending