Stellantis unveils 'E-Car' project

Stellantis said on May 19 that it had launched its “E-Car” project, a plan to develop small, affordable battery-electric vehicles for Europe’s shrinking entry-level car market. The automaker said the first vehicles are expected to roll off the line in 2028 at its Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy. The company did not disclose pricing, driving range or the brands that will get the first models. It said only that the program would cover “multiple brands” and use battery-electric technology developed with selected partners. ### What exactly did Stellantis announce? Stellantis described E-Car as a “small and affordable” fully electric vehicle project aimed at Europe, and said the “E” stands for European, Emotion, Electric and Environmental friendliness. The company said the vehicles are being developed in the tradition of European “people’s mobility,” a reference to compact, low-cost cars built for mass-market urban use. (stellantis.com) The May 19 press release said production is planned to begin in 2028 at Pomigliano d’Arco, near Naples. Stellantis said the plant has a history of producing low-cost European cars, including the Fiat Panda. ### Why is Stellantis focusing on this part of the market? Stellantis said the project is intended to address what it called the “unprecedented contraction” of Europe’s small affordable car segment in recent years. (stellantis.com) The company also tied the plan to wider adoption of full-electric vehicles for everyday city use. Antonio Filosa, Stellantis’ chief executive, said customers were “calling for a revival of small, stylish vehicles, proudly produced in Europe, which are also affordable and environmentally friendly.” He said Stellantis was responding with new models for multiple brands. ### What details are still missing? (stellantis.com) Stellantis did not release a target price, battery size, range, charging specifications or annual production volume. The company also did not identify which of its brands will use the first E-Car models, beyond saying the project will support several marques in its European portfolio. Electrive, which cited the company announcement, reported that technical details remain undisclosed and said Stellantis has only stated that the cars will use “world-class BEV technologies” developed with selected partners. ### Where will the cars be built, and why does that matter? Pomigliano d’Arco in Italy is the named production site for the first E-Car vehicles, according to Stellantis. (stellantis.com) The company said the project would be “produced in Europe for Europeans,” language it linked to European manufacturing and design jobs as well as the push to broaden EV adoption. (electrive.com) The press release said the European Commission has recognized the segment’s potential to support jobs and help expand use of fully electric vehicles in city mobility. Stellantis did not cite a specific Commission measure in the release, but it framed the project as aligned with that policy direction. (stellantis.com) ### How does this fit into Stellantis’ broader EV push? Stellantis already sells small electric cars in Europe under brands including Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën and Opel, but the E-Car announcement points to a separate future program built around lower-cost battery-electric models. The company said affordability and faster time-to-market would come through technology developed with selected partners. (stellantis.com) Electrive reported on May 19 that Stellantis Chief Executive Antonio Filosa was expected to provide more details on the company’s strategy at an Investor Day later in May. Stellantis’ own press-release archive lists an Investor Day for May 21, 2026. That event is the next named milestone after the E-Car announcement. (electrive.com) (stellantis.com)