Watch out Mr Whippy, there’s a new zero-emission ice cream van in town.
Meet the new Fiat 500e Gelateria Edition, a one-off all-electric ice cream van concept which the brand claims is the smallest ice cream shop in the UK.
The 199-mile Gelateria is pitched as a compact solution to the highly-polluting and typically diesel-powered ice cream vans which are becoming increasingly restricted from cities with emissions regulations like London and its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Three councils in London – Camden, Greenwich and Westminster City – have already banned or heavily regulated combustion ice cream vans due to air pollution and noise.
The ULEZ zone will also be expanded to cover the entire area inside the North and South Circular roads, with non-compliant cars required to pay £12.50. In fact, more clean air zones in 14 cities around the UK will be operational by the end of 2024.
The ULEZ-beating Gelateria brings an “Italian twist” to the conventional ice cream van – and it certainly looks, ahem, mint.
The 500e Gelateria features a fully bespoke interior, with both the front passenger and rear seats removed so that the server can move freely around the inside of the car.
Finished in a unique two-tone paint scheme, Fiat has aimed to give its ice cream van the feel of a “local gelateria in the 1950s”.
A number of unique Gelateria motifs have also been added to the boot and wings.
Ice cream trays are mounted in the rear of the car in a bespoke cabinet which is home to two large freezers which can store up to 30 litres of gelato – that’s enough to serve approximately 300 people per day.
Fiat has also added a retro-style canopy which can be raised above the car when the 500e’s fabric roof is folded down.
And in true ice cream van fashion, the Gelateria features its own jingle inspired by the Italian opera to notify customers of its presence.
Inside the car gets a unique cream dashboard finish with Bronze badging. There is also enough room inside to store a pair of deck chairs for customers.
To round off the Gelateria, Fiat has created its own ice cream flavour inspired by the italian hot drink Bicerin, which consists of coffee, chocolate and oat milk.
Commenting on the reveal of the Gelateria Edition, Fiat UKs managing director Damien Dally said: “Understandably, the British public cherishes the ice cream van during summertime, yet the old-fashioned combustion-engine examples of the past are fast becoming outdated – and for good reason.
“While the one-off FIAT 500e Gelateria Edition remains a one-off UK concept, based on the 500e Convertible, it is a zero-emission solution that demonstrates the car’s versatility in city environments. It’s small, compact and electric, styled with the brand’s Italian heritage in mind. Plus, the open-top roof brings a touch of dolce vita wherever you go.”
