Fiat Topolino: America’s cheapest new EV is a 19 mph microcar
Fiat introduces the Topolino to the US at $13,995, a tiny electric vehicle with a top speed of 19 mph and a range of 46 miles, positioning it as a micromobility vehicle rather than a car.
Fiat has announced the US launch of the Topolino, a pint-sized electric vehicle that is both the cheapest new EV in America and one of the most compromised. Priced at $13,995, the Topolino is essentially a rebadged Citroën Ami, and Fiat itself calls it a micromobility vehicle, not a car.
The Topolino’s top speed is a mere 19 mph, and its 5.4 kWh battery delivers a range of 46 miles. Charging on a 2.3 kW AC outlet takes about five hours. For those who find 19 mph too slow, Fiat will offer a Low Speed Vehicle conversion kit later this summer that boosts the maximum speed to a still-modest 25 mph.
In terms of size, the Topolino is smaller than a ping-pong table, and its wheelbase is barely longer than one and a half king mattresses. The vehicle is not highway-legal; it is designed for urban short trips. Some versions even lack real doors, using a braided rope instead.
Fiat is betting that the Topolino will appeal to buyers looking for an affordable, compact, and fun vehicle for city use, similar to a golf cart but with more weather protection. However, small cars have historically struggled in the US. Fiat’s own sales plummeted from 43,000 in 2012 to just 1,300 in 2025. The Fiat 500e was previously offered with $0 down and $0 per month leases in Colorado, indicating weak demand.
Despite these challenges, there is growing interest in tiny vehicles like Japanese kei trucks. Even President Donald Trump has called them “really cute” and expressed a desire to see them built in the US. Fiat denied that Trump’s comments influenced the Topolino’s launch, but the timing is notable.
Ultimately, the Topolino is a niche product. Its cuteness and low price may find a devoted audience at resorts, amusement parks, or as a second car for short errands. But its limitations mean it won’t replace a conventional vehicle for most Americans.
