Fiat's new recharge innovation: Cleaner cables for upcoming Grande Panda
Everyone who has touched even a plug-in hybrid knows that coiling thick cables can be problematic. Therefore, Fiat proposes a new solution: coiling them like vacuum cleaners.
The idea itself is not new – a similarly coiled cable can be found in an electric Vespa – the battery is not replaceable; you just need to stand close enough to the socket. Here, you will need to stand close to a charging station or a street post.
Even Carlos Tavares noticed the problem: "We have such fantastic cars, full of technology, great materials, nice elements – and the first thing you do is dip the cable in the mud while charging. This is not very advanced technology. Look at vacuum cleaners – it's better resolved there," he said.
The first model with such a cable will be the Fiat Grande Panda. However, the cable mounted under the front grille will only allow charging using alternating current, with a maximum power of 7.4 kilowatts. The Panda's battery has 44 kilowatt-hours, so charging will take a while. Of course, a direct current cable will also be available.
