Automobili Pininfarina unveils the new topless Barchetta – now the most expensive EV on the planet
Less than a week after teasing a new “collectible masterpiece” codenamed the B95, Automobili Pininfarina has just unveiled the EV – which we have learned is called the Barchetta. This extremely limited production run electric hypercar feature blends past and present with an entirely open top and a “world’s first” aero screen design. Such rarity comes at a price, though, earning the title of most expensive EV to date.
Today’s global premiere in Monterey caps off quite a busy summer for Automobili Pininfarina, who has already graced the world of EV enthusiasts with not one, but two uniquely designed electric hypercars.
First was the Battista Edizione hyper GT – the automaker’s second chapter in limited-edition versions of its flagship EV – the Battista – an elusive vehicle itself. This hyper GT dedicated to the original founder’s nephew and the first-ever Formula 1 champion, Nino Farina, goes 0-60 mph in a mind-boggling 1.79 seconds. That level of speed is quite hard to come by, and so is the new EV delivering it – Automobili Pininfarina says it only intends to build five.
Earlier this month, the hypercar developer followed up with another astonishing exercise in EV design, introducing a new concept called the PURA Vision – complete with a glasshouse top hat and tri-opening pillarless doors.
At the time, we learned the PURA Vision would be on display in Northern California at Monterey Car Week and that a new “B95” EV recently teased by Pininfarina would debut with some of the same design elements as the concept.
Following today’s global premiere, you may notice one element not included in the B95’s design is the glasshouse. Instead, Automobili Pininfarina has removed the top altogether.
Meet the all-electric Barchetta.
Barchetta arrives as a new EV celebrating Pininfarina’s history
During today’s global debut, we have learned that the “B” in B95 stands for… you guessed it, Barchetta. Meanwhile, the “95” is a nod to the automaker’s 95th anniversary in 2025 – the year Pininfarina SpA intends to begin customer deliveries of the limited-edition hyper EV. Company chairman Paolo Pininfarina spoke:
The B95 is elegant, bold, beautiful, and innovative. Everything that defines a true Pininfarina design. It will be the perfect celebration of the 95th anniversary of Pininfarina, which has an unrivaled history creating rare icons that are now the most revered and sought-after collectors’ cars in the world. B95 will undoubtedly continue this legacy and also deliver a statement of intent for Automobili Pininfarina as it develops an incredible portfolio of new luxury electric cars.
Pininfarina SpA speaks often and at length about its PURA design philosophy that strives for vehicles that are pure, timeless, and instantly recognizable. Don’t forget super rare to come by. To keep drivers safe on the road or track without the repose of a glasshouse, Pininfarina has implemented unique design elements on the Barchetta, including a more submersive cabin space, domes behind each passenger’s head, and electronically adjustable aero screens the automaker has proclaimed a “world’s first.”
Each version of Pininfarina’s newest EV will be built entirely by hand at the automaker’s facility in Cambiano, Italy. Like the original Battista, Pininfarina SpA will work alongside each customer to create a Barchetta that is truly one of a kind. For added safety, the automaker says its design team will also offer bespoke helmets to its customers to match their one-of-a-kind Barchetta.
How many customers is the hypercar developer courting, you ask? A mere ten this time. That being said, you can expect a price tag to match. This is a “collectible masterpiece,” after all. Pininfarina SpA shared that each bespoke Barchetta will cost a staggering 4.4 million euros ($4.78 million).
That officially takes the crown from the Aspark Owl as the most expensive EV on the planet. Congrats team!
So, what sort of performance can nearly $5 million get you? The Barchetta’s makers say the new hypercar will feature the same powertrain as the Battista hyper GT, but uniquely tuned. It’ can ‘s four individual motors can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 2 seconds and reach a top speed over 300km/h (186 mph).
The Barchetta’s T-shaped, liquid-cooled, 120 kWh lithium-ion battery generates a peak power of 1400 kW (1,900 PS) and can achieve charge rates up to 270 kW on DC fast chargers, replenishing from 20-80% top up in 25 minutes.
Visitors to Monterey Car Week can get an up-close look at the new Barchetta alongside Pininfarina SpA’s other two EV models. We will cap this news off with a quote from CEO Paolo Dellachà, who summed up the debut of this summer’s hyper EV trinity up quite well:
This is the most exciting chapter of the Automobili Pininfarina story so far – we’re taking another big step forward. The introduction of the B95 is the third of three essential building blocks this summer for our brand. First, we introduced the Battista Edizione Nino Farina, an exclusive celebration of Pininfarina’s racing son – also the first Formula 1 World Champion.
The launch of the PURA Vision design concept then unlocked a new design philosophy for all future models from our brand, across a spectrum of different segments. Now, our new Barchetta shows how these design principles can be applied – with a retro-futuristic vision fusing classic motorsport themes with the latest technological innovations, materials and processes.
B95 delivers the power of Battista and yet creates a new dimension of driving experience, redefining the very joy of driving. It is the first of a new kind, an object of desire that introduces the thrill of exceptional, electrified performance in stunning open-top form.
Well said. By the way, can anyone lend me $4.78 million? I’m good for it, I promise.
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Believe it or not, you can lease an EV for under $200 a month. New deals on models like the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 are hard to pass up this month.
Electric vehicles have been all over the news lately, with the Trump administration threatening to end federal incentives and introducing new tariffs that are expected to lead to higher prices.
On the positive side, new EV models are arriving, giving buyers more options and driving prices down. Many automakers reported record US electric car sales in the first three months of 2024.
GM remained the number two seller of EVs behind Tesla after sales doubled in Q1 2025. With the new Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs rolling out, Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is off to its best sales start since launching, with over 11,600 models sold in the first quarter.
With the 2025 models rolling out and about 15 new EVs arriving this year, many automakers are introducing steep discounts to move vehicles off the lot.
EVs for lease for under $200 a month in April
Although the decade-old Nissan LEAF remains one of the most affordable this April at just $149 per month, there are a few EVs under $200 right now that are worth taking a look at.
The new 2025 Hyundai IONIQ might be the best EV deal this month, with leases as low as $199. Hyundai is currently promoting a 24-month lease deal with $3,999 due at signing.
Hyundai upgraded the electric SUV with a bigger battery for more range (now up to 318 miles), a sleek new look inside and out, and it now comes with an NACS port so you can charge it at Tesla Superchargers.
The offer is for the IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range, which has a driving range of up to 245 miles. For just $229 a month, you can snag the SE RWD model, which has a range of up to 318 miles and a more powerful (225 horsepower) electric motor. It’s also a 24-month lease with $3,999 due at signing.
To sweeten the deal, Hyundai is offering a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV charger with the purchase or lease of any 2024 or 2025 IONIQ 5. If you already have one, you can opt for a $400 public charging credit.
After slashing lease prices this month, the 2025 Nissan Ariya is actually cheaper than the LEAF in some regions. In Southern California, the 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD is listed at just $129 per month. The AWD model has a range of up to 272 miles.
The deal is for 36 months, with $4,409 due at signing. In April, Nissan cut Ariya lease prices to around $239 in most other parts of the country.
Kia has a few EVs available to lease for under $200 a month in April. The 2025 Kia Niro EV Wind is listed at just $129 for 24 months, with $3,999 due at signing. Kia’s crossover SUV has EPA-estimated range of 253 miles.
The 2024 EV6 may be worth considering at just $179 for 24 months ($3,999 due at signing). In California, the EV6 Light Long Range RWD is only slightly more than the Niro Wind.
In most other parts of the country, you can still find the EV6 for under $200 a month. The Light Long Range RWD trim offers up to 310 miles of EPA-estimated range.
| Lease Price | Term (months) |
Amount Due at Signing | Driving Range | |
| 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | $199 | 24 | $3,999 | 245 miles |
| 2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Rang RWD | $179 | 24 | $3,999 | 310 miles |
| 2024 Kia Niro EV Wind | $129 | 24 | $3,999 | 253 miles |
| 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD | $129 | 36 | $4,409 | 272 miles |
| 2025 Nissan LEAF S FWD | $149 | 36 | $2,629 | 149 miles |
| 2024 Fiat 500 INSPI(RED) | $199 | 24 | $2,999 | 149 miles |
And don’t forget the 2024 Fiat 500e, which is now listed at just $199 for 24 months with $2,999 due at signing. The electric hatchback offers a range of up to 149 miles.
If you are looking to spend a little more, check out our list of EVs you can lease for under $300 a month.
Ready to snag the savings while they are still here? At under $200 a month, some of these EV lease deals are hard to pass up right now. Check out our links below to find deals in your area.
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![The US’s first solar panels over canals pilot is now online [video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Project-Nexus-solar-canal.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Project Nexus, the first solar panel canopies over irrigation canals in the US, is now online in California, and there are plans to expand the project to other areas.
Project Nexus is a $20 million pilot in central California’s Turlock Irrigation District launched in October 2022. The project team is exploring solar over canal design, deployment, and co-benefits using canal infrastructure and the electrical grid.
India already has solar panels over canals, but Project Nexus is the first of its kind in the US.
The Turlock Irrigation District was the first irrigation district formed in California in 1887. It provides irrigation water to 4,700 growers who farm around 150,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley.
Project Nexus will explore whether the solar panels reduce water evaporation as a result of midday shade and wind mitigation, create improvements to water quality through reduced vegetative growth, reduce canal maintenance as a result of reduced vegetative growth, and, of course, generate renewable electricity.
The California Department of Water Resources, utility company Turlock Irrigation District, Marin County, California-based water and energy project developer Solar AquaGrid, and The University of California, Merced, are partnering on the pilot. Project Nexus originated from a 2021 research project led by UC Merced alumna and project scientist Brandi McKuin.
Solar panels were installed at two sites over both wide- and narrow-span sections of Turlock Irrigation District canals in Stanislaus County, in various orientations. The sections range from 20 feet wide to 100 feet wide. University of California, Merced has positioned research equipment at both sites to collect baseline data so the researchers can decide where solar will work and where it won’t.
In February 2023, Project Nexus announced it would also deploy long-term iron flow battery storage in the form of two ESS 75kW turnkey “Energy Warehouse” batteries.
You can learn more about Project Nexus here:
Read more: In a US first, California will pilot solar-panel canopies over canals
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