Stellantis will produce a new small, affordable, fully electric vehicle — branded the E-Car — at its Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy, with the first units expected off the line in 2028. The Amsterdam-headquartered automaker announced the program on May 19, positioning the vehicle as a Europe-built response to what the company describes as a contraction of the small affordable car segment across the region. Stellantis says the E-Car will be developed with selected partners on BEV technologies, aimed at accelerating time-to-market and improving affordability.
Highlights
- Production targeted to start in 2028 at the Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy
- Vehicle positioned as small, fully electric, and affordable, built in Europe for European buyers
- Program recognized by the European Commission as supporting design and manufacturing jobs and broader EV adoption
- BEV technology to be co-developed with selected partners; partner identities and full specs not disclosed
A Plant With a Small-Car Legacy
The Pomigliano assignment ties the E-Car to a facility long associated with affordable European vehicles. Stellantis cited Pomigliano’s history of building the Fiat Panda among the reasons for routing the program there, alongside the potential for significant production volumes. The automaker has not disclosed projected unit volumes, pricing targets, battery specifications, or which Stellantis brands will carry E-Car models at launch.
The “E” in the name, Stellantis said, stands for European, Emotion, Electric, and Environmental friendliness. The company framed the project as an answer to customer demand for small, stylish vehicles produced in Europe at accessible price points.
Filosa Frames the Program
Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa tied the project to the company’s European heritage in small vehicles.
“The E-Car is a concept that finds its natural match in the small car success that runs deep in our European Stellantis DNA,” Filosa said. “Our customers are calling for a revival of small, stylish vehicles, proudly produced in Europe, which are also affordable and environmentally friendly. Stellantis is answering their call with exciting new models for multiple brands. Production is expected to start in 2028 in our Pomigliano (Italy) plant.”
The reference to “multiple brands” suggests the E-Car platform will spawn variants beyond a single nameplate, though Stellantis did not identify which of its marques — which include Fiat, Citroën, Opel, Peugeot, Lancia, and others — will field E-Car models.
Partner-Led BEV Development
Stellantis indicated that the E-Car’s BEV powertrain technologies will be developed with selected partners, citing affordability and accelerated time-to-market as the rationale. The company did not name the partners or describe whether the program will draw on its existing STLA Small platform work, its joint venture with Leapmotor, or a new technical arrangement. Stellantis did not disclose battery chemistry, pack size, range, or charging specifications.
The European Commission’s recognition of the small affordable EV segment, referenced in the announcement, frames the E-Car as aligned with European industrial policy aims around domestic EV manufacturing and jobs. Stellantis did not provide details on any Commission-backed funding or incentive mechanisms tied to the program.
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