I tested the weird, tiny, low-cost electric car soon coming to the US
Why it matters: This tiny, low-cost EV could disrupt urban transportation by offering an accessible, emission-free alternative to larger vehicles, forcing a reevaluation of what constitutes a 'car' in the American market and accelerating the shift to right-sized urban mobility solutions.
- Fiat plans to introduce its diminutive Topolino EV to the US this year, positioning it as an ultra-compact, affordable option for urban mobility.
- The author test-drove the Citroën Ami (the Topolino's European counterpart), finding it surprisingly fun and practical for navigating city streets despite its slow speed and minimal features.
- The Topolino is technically a quadricycle, not a car, with a top speed of 28 mph and a modest 5.5 kWh battery, designed for short city commutes rather than highway travel.
- Priced around $12-13k before incentives, the Topolino offers a radically different, low-cost vision for personal transport, potentially competing with golf carts while offering 'real-car' styling.
- US drivers face a decision on whether to embrace the vehicle's simplicity or dismiss its bare-bones nature, limited speed, and golf cart-level safety considerations, as noted by the author and a top comment.
Fiat is bringing the ultra-compact Topolino, a rebadged version of the Citroën Ami, to the US, challenging traditional EV perceptions with its golf cart-like size, sub-$15k price point, and urban-centric design. While the author found the test drive surprisingly fun and practical for city life, its limited speed, basic features, and safety considerations raise questions about American consumer adoption.
