Fiat presented a new one-off concept based on the 500e, transforming it into a tiny ice cream truck with a battery-powered drivetrain. The Fiat 500e “Gelateria Edition” is based on the convertible version of the urban EV, adding all of the necessary equipment for serving scoops of ice cream in the “Ultra Low Emission Zone” areas of the UK.
Fiat calls the one-off the “world’s smallest gelateria” although we are sure there are even smaller ice cream-carrying vehicles or trolleys somewhere in Italy.
Despite its compact size, the special 500e is capable of serving approximately 300 people per day. The bespoke interior has a frozen gelato display covered by a retro canopy that can be raised. The goods are stored in two battery-powered freezers with a total capacity of 30 lt (8 gallons), while there is dedicated space for cones, tubs, and spoons. All passenger seats are removed, transforming the 500e into a single-seater that allows the driver and ice cream server to move around freely. However, there is in-car storage for deck chairs, so that customers have somewhere to sit.
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For the exterior, Fiat chose a two-tone paint finish with light blue and cream shades reminiscent of the Italian gelaterias of the ’50s. A similar theme was applied to the interior upholstery, with “Gelateria” lettering on the cream-finished dashboard, fenders, doors, and boot. Finally, a custom chime with operatic sounds was added to make sure the EV will attract enough attention.
Fiat even created a new gelato flavor inspired by a traditional hot drink from Turin called Bicerin. For those curious about the ingredients, Fiat’s new gelato flavor is made of coffee, chocolate, and oat milk.
The underpinnings of the “Gelateria Edition” are untouched. This means that the one-off gets the 117 hp (87 kW / 118 PS) electric motor and the 42 kWh battery of the high-spec 500e. Still, the extra weight and power requirements of the fridge will certainly hurt the 260 km (162 miles) WLTP range figure of the stock model.
The concept is as much of a marketing stunt as a response to the UK’s newly applied restrictions for diesel-powered ice cream trucks in the “Ultra Low Emission Zone” areas. Those already include London boroughs of Camden, Greenwich, and Westminster City and will soon be expanded to 14 UK cities by 2024. Unlike the trucks that keep their diesel engines in idle so they can power the on-board appliances, EVs can do the same job silently and without local emissions.
