Fiat has offered a discount on its new hybrid model as it struggles to draw in an audience for its electric cars without Government support.
The 600 Hybrid has been reduced by £3,000 with orders at retailers set to begin in the summer later this year.
The car manufacturer had been struggling to sell its electric vehicles without assistance from the Government grant.
As a result of this, the company, which pledged to commit to going fully electric by 2030, has had to introduce a petrol-assisted car to draw in buyers.
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Fiat has pledged to go fully electric by 2030
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The car has a 100 horsepower 48V Hybrid powertrain and a six-speed automatic gearbox with prices expected to start from £23,965.
Fiat, which is based in Turin, had recently called on the Government to bring back the electric vehicle grant which acted as an incentive for drivers to purchase an EV.
However, since the Government removed financial incentives designed to encourage retail customers to go electric, Fiat introduced its own grant which gave customers a £3,000 discount for switching to electric.
However, the Italian manufacturer remarked that more needs to be done to support drivers looking to transition.
Damien Dally, Fiat, UK managing director, said: “More needs to be done. Consumers need further support to have a reason to make the switch to electric.
“The move echoes the findings of the House of Lords environment and climate change committee report earlier this month.
“Under the Government’s own Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, 22 per cent of new car sales in the UK must be pure electric in 2024, by 2030 that figure must hit 80 per cent.
“The electric car market in this country is in real jeopardy. Private sales, as opposed to business and fleets, are softening and that’s a trend that needs a collective effort to reverse.”
The launch of the Fiat 600 Hybrid will be offered alongside the fully electric Fiat 600e, but will benefit from the reduced pricing.
The hybrid vehicle has an electric motor within the gearbox, boasts electric capabilities and includes 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.
It is available in red, white, black and undertones of sea, earth, sky and sun of Italy.
The interior features black and ivory bi-colour fabric seats, with the driver and passenger benefitting from heated seats.
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The company had recently called on the Government to bring back the electric vehicle grant
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The Fiat grant was offered on the Fiat 500e and Fiat 500e convertible as well as the Fiat 600e and Abarth 500e and now the hybrid models.
