Integrated charging cables make topping up easier

Fiat has announced that it will be integrating charging cables within the body of its next-generation EVs, to make the process of charging the battery easier and more intuitive.

The first car to get the in-built charging cables will be the 2025 Fiat Grande Panda, launching next year.

Neatly integrating retractable cables behind the new-generation Panda city car's front grille, the Fiat Grande Panda is part of the Italian car-maker's plan for "reinventing" charging.

“We are coming up with a solution not to put the charging cable in the mud," said Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, Fiat's parent company.

“You have these fantastic cars – full of technology, great materials, nice trims – and the first thing you do is you put the cable on the ground, and it's dirty and you throw it back in your trunk. That's not very high technology.

“If you look at vacuum cleaners, they found a better solution,” he said.

Set to be launched in Europe early next year, the integrated cable will only be capable of AC charging at speeds of up to 7.4kW, adding 200km of range in 4 hours and 10 minutes.

If you want to top-up Grande Panda's 44kWh battery pack any faster you will have to use a separate DC charging port that's positioned on the side of the car that can charge at a rate of up to 100kW.

The reason the front cable won't work with DC charging is because it would need additional cooling to cope with higher charging speeds.

Based on Stellantis’ STLA Smart Car platform, the new Grande Panda will be heavily related to the Citroen e-C3, with the electric version built to a low price of just €25,000 ($A40,400).

Also related to the new 2027 Jeep Renegade, the Grande Panda will be available with either full-electric powertrains or conventional combustion engines with mild-hybrid assistance.

The latter is expected to include a 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech petrol engine that alone produces 100kW but also combines with a 21kW electric motor, a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and a small battery.

The electric version, meanwhile, could replicate the Citroen’s powertrain with a front-mounted e-motor good for 83kW and a 44kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that should provide a range of up to 320km.

Later on, a cheaper EV could follow that would downsize the battery for a more modest 200km range.

To be offered first in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the compact five-door has not been confirmed for the Australian market but could possibly do well here if it had low pricing to go with its chunky SUV styling.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au