Stellantis has extended the production pause of the Fiat 500e, due to continued low electric vehicle (EV) demand, reports Autocar.

Originally penciled to last a month to October 13, the pause will now end on November 1.

This slump in demand has left the European electric car market "in deep trouble,” Stellantis told trade unions

The brand previously said the slump in sales is “linked to the deep difficulties experienced in the European [EV] market by all producers.”

According to figures from Jato Dynamics, Fiat sold 74,885 examples of the 500 (in both petrol and electric forms) across Europe between January and the end of July, 24% fewer than it had over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, EVs’ market share in Europe fell to 13.5%, down from 14.6% in July 2023.

Slow sales of the 500e—as well as the impending end of sales of the old petrol 500, due to new cybersecurity regulations—have pushed Fiat to develop the new 500 Ibrida.

Effectively the 500e retrofitted with a mild-hybrid petrol engine, it will serve as an all-important crutch for the Italian brand as it navigates the slower-than-expected transition to selling solely electric cars.

As well as introducing the 500 Ibrida, Fiat is investing some €100 million into developing a new battery for the 500e.