Fiat brings $13,995 Topolino micro-EV to the U.S.
The tiny electric Fiat is built for short urban trips, with 46 miles of range and a 19 mph top speed.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
3 min read
Fiat is bringing the Topolino electric microvehicle to the United States with a $13,995 price, a 19 mph top speed and 46 miles of range. The launch gives buyers a lower-cost electric option, though Fiat is pitching it for short, low-speed trips rather than highway driving.
The Stellantis-owned automaker described the Topolino in its announcement as part of the “fast-growing micromobility space,” according to The Verge. Fiat said the vehicle uses a 5.4kWh battery that can recharge in about five hours on a 2.3 kW AC charger.
The Topolino’s size and performance put it closer to an electric quadricycle or golf cart than a conventional passenger car. The Verge reported that the vehicle is a restyled Citroën Ami and is intended mainly for urban use.
A low-speed vehicle with limits
The Topolino is not legal for highway use, according to The Verge. Fiat plans to offer a complimentary Low Speed Vehicle conversion kit later this summer that raises the maximum speed to 25 mph.
Fiat has also compared the Topolino’s role to the way some owners use golf carts beyond golf courses, The Verge reported. The company is aiming at people who want something smaller and easier to use than a full-size car while still offering more enclosure than an electric bike.
The vehicle arrives during a period of growing interest in small electric runabouts. The Verge cited recent launches such as the Slate Truck and Amble One electric buggy as signs that companies are testing demand for cheaper, more compact EVs.
Small cars face a difficult U.S. market
The Topolino enters a market where tiny cars have had a hard time finding broad demand. CNBC reported that Fiat sold more than 43,000 vehicles in 2012, its first full year back in the U.S., while The Verge reported that the brand recorded only 1,300 sales in 2025.
Fiat’s slightly larger electric two-door, the 500e, has also faced weak demand. Car and Driver reported that the 500e was previously available in Colorado with a $0-down, $0-a-month lease offer.
Interest in small imported vehicles has grown in other corners of the market. The Verge reported that Japanese kei trucks have drawn attention in the U.S., and President Donald Trump called them “really cute” while saying he wanted to see them built domestically.
Fiat announced the Topolino’s U.S. arrival a week after those comments, according to The Verge. The automaker denied that the timing was connected to Trump’s remarks.
The Topolino’s likely audience may be narrower than the market for mainstream EVs. The Verge suggested the vehicle could suit resorts, amusement parks and short-distance urban use, where its price and compact footprint matter more than speed or highway access.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.