Meet The Fiat 500 3+1: The Affordable Electric Car People Need

Automakers continue to lure in first-time electric vehicle buyers by touting low entry prices and heavy federal tax credits from the government. At $37,990, the Telsa Model 3 is one of the more affordable EV options that offer an acceptable driving range and performance. While this price is around what the average consumer spends on a new vehicle, it couldn't hurt to have a less expensive option available. Enter the2021 Fiat 500.

Revealed earlier this year as anall-electric replacementto the outgoing 500. Fiat first announced the new 500 as a convertible, then asa two-door hatchback. Now, the company just revealed a third body style, the Fiat 500 3+1. Like the other models, the 3+1 produces a peppy 118 horsepower and can travel up to 199 miles on a charge. Hardly Tesla-rivaling, but wait until you hear the price.

The base version, which can travel 111 miles on a charge, only costs 23,700 euros or around $28,000. Fiat says the longer-range model costs 25,200 euros (just under $30,000), but both cars include incentives that take the price much lower. Italy's 6,000-euro EV incentive effectively brings the starting price down to 19,900 euros (around $23,500). Buyers can also take advantage of a further incentive if they scrap their old vehicle, bringing the price down to just 17,000 euros (around $20,000).

There are veryfew sub-$20,000 carsleft in the United States, let alone electric options like the Fiat 500. The closest car we have to the 500 here in the US is the Mini 500 SE, which starts at $29,900 and comes with a 114-mile driving range. Sadly, theFiat 500 was already discontinued here, and the company has no plans to sell this new model outside of Europe.

The 500 3+1 takes a page out of the old Mini playbook, offering a rear-opening third door on the passenger side. Fiat says the third door should come in handy for buyers with families, and impressively, the addition hasn't changed the overall proportions of the car to affect maneuverability. In fact, the door only adds 30 kilograms (66 pounds) to the curb weight, so it doesn't impact range or performance.