Electric Fiat Patrol

FIAT 500e Electrifies Athens’ Streets

Talk about adapting to the times. The Athens police department just added a chic little twist to its motor pool. Thanks to DEI, Greece’s Public Electric Power Corporation, ten Fiat 500e electric vehicles are now cruising the tight, bustling streets of Athens. These compact electric vehicles (EVs) are decked out in traditional Greek police flair, complete with strobe lights, and they pack a 117-horsepower electric motor under the hood.

115 hp and a Rear Door

What makes these Fiats stand out even more is the presence of an additional rear-hinged “suicide door” on one side, which helps with accessing the backseats. Originally, Fiat tailored this design for families who needed to quickly pop in and out—but in police duty mode, it might just be efficacious for accommodating the occasional arrestee snugly.

Urban Patrol

Performance-wise, these 500e models can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in roughly 9 seconds, which isn’t too shabby for a city-based patrol car. While these zippy little cars might not lead high-speed chases, their 42 kWh battery delivers. It offers a range of about 199 miles, extending up to 286 miles if driven in urban settings. Not bad at all. But in most day-to-day real-world scenarios, expect closer to around 162 miles.

The Electric Fleet

In addition to the Fiat 500es, the department gets a real crack at sustainable patrol and adjusting to urban needs with these electric marvels. However, they’re not the only tiny vehicles buzzing around town. There’s also the Citroen Ami, quite possibly the most offbeat and slowest car to wear the police badge in Chalki Island since 2021.

More Than Just Fiats

The Greek police aren’t just dependent on quirky, small rides. Their fleet is relatively diverse: from the Seat Leon and Hyundai i30 to the Nissan Qashqai and Peugeot 308, just to name a few. They even blend in some bigger vehicles like the Nissan Navara and Skoda Octavia for broader scenarios. So while the Fiat 500e runs the show in terms of electrification, there’s a balanced approach to tackling Greece’s policing needs.

The focus on electric and hybrid vehicles is also in flux, with Fiat hinting at bringing hybrid versions like the 500 Ibrida soon. Looking ahead, the next-gen Fiat 500 is slated for a 2032 debut.

In a nutshell, the Fiat 500e might not be breaking any speed records, but when it comes to zipping through tight corners and embodying efficient urban mobility, it’s leaving quite the mark on Athens streets. Compact, peppy, and considerate of the environment, these cars reflect a small yet substantial shift towards future-smart policing.