Man tests how far he can drive Canada's cheapest EV to quell range anxiety and comes to an interesting conclusion

Canada’s cheapest EV doesn’t exactly scream long-distance road trip, but that didn’t stop one driver from putting it to the test.

YouTuber Simply Gregster EV set out to see if this compact city car could handle a full day of real-world driving.

The plan was simple: cover roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles) in mixed conditions without plugging in.

Bringing the EV through tight city streets and highways alike, it was put to the ultimate test.

You can lease the car for a little more than $100 per month

Starting in Montreal on a cold, windy spring morning, the Fiat 500e began its journey at 100 percent charge, showing an estimated range of 225 km (134 miles).

The budget EV came equipped with a 42 kWh battery, 117 horsepower, and a modest DC fast-charging capability of up to 85 kW.

At first glance, it’s clear that it’s not built for endurance, although it was clearly good enough for the Greek police force.

However, with city-friendly efficiency and low running costs, it quickly became one of the most accessible EVs in Canada.

In fact, according to the YouTuber, lease deals bring the monthly payment to as low as CA$150 ($108) a month.

Early on, efficiency hovered around 13.7 kWh per 100 km (62 miles), though strong winds and winter tires began to take their toll.

As he pushed deeper into the countryside, the small hatchback was noticeably affected by crosswinds, requiring constant steering input to stay stable.

Despite the challenges, the Fiat kept going.

By the halfway point, the car had covered over 75 km (46 miles) and still had 66 percent battery remaining, which was pretty encouraging.

After a few hours spent off the road visiting family and running errands, the return journey began.

This time, Greg added some highway driving into the mix.

Despite tougher conditions, including headwinds and cooler temperatures, the efficiency remained steady at around 15.2 kWh per 100 km (62 miles).

Did Canada’s cheapest EV manage to hang on?

As the battery dipped below 20 percent, the test entered its most crucial phase.

Usually, this is when most drivers experience range anxiety, especially in a small EV not known for long-distance capability.

However, the car’s numbers held up.

Greg eventually pulled back into his driveway with 14 percent battery remaining, having driven just under 190 km (118 miles) on a single charge.

That’s remarkably close to the car’s official estimate, especially considering the less-than-ideal conditions.

So, what’s the verdict?

For daily commutes, the Fiat 500e proves it can absolutely get the job done.

This is especially since charging costs are minimal, at just a few dollars for a full charge at home.

While it ticked nearly every box for city dwellers, limitations for long road trips or harsh winter conditions were quickly apparent.

At the end of the day, Canada’s cheapest EV passed the test with flying colors.

Watch the full video to see the car’s performance for yourself:

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