The Fiat 500 electric car is go

An all-electric version of the popular Fiat 500 is to be launched onto the American market in 2012. Fiat does not currently have a presence in America so may choose to brand the car as a Chrysler as it owns a 20 per cent stake in the company.

The Fiat 500 EV will be on the market in time to provide competition for the Nissan Leaf and BMW’s Mini-E, which is currently undergoing testing.

The decision to launch both the standard versions as well as the electric Fiat 500 marks a trend towards offering American motorists the opportunity to buy the city cars that are so popular in Europe. Ford is already marketing its Fiesta in this way.

The price and performance of the Fiat 500 EV have not yet been revealed, but it is unlikely that it will have a range of less than 100 miles or cost more than £20,000.