Transportation Secretary touts overpriced micro-EV as cure for U.S. affordability crisis

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, a wealthy former airline lobbyist, is championing the Fiat Topolino—a two-seat, 25 mph electric micro-EV priced at $14,985 (destination included)—as a silver-bullet fix for America’s affordability crisis. The Topolino is a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) that can only be driven on private property or public roads after a not-yet-available street-legal conversion kit is installed.

Even with the kit, it remains restricted to roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or lower. On a full charge, the Topolino delivers a maximum range of 46 miles and requires five hours to recharge. Measuring just 99.6 inches long, the Topolino is 43 inches shorter than the Fiat 500e and seats only two passengers.

Fiat’s own marketing describes the Topolino as ideal for country clubs, resorts, music and film festivals, yacht clubs, downtown areas, and beach towns—hardly the daily transportation needs of most Americans. Duffy, who has framed the Topolino as “inexpensive, safe, fuel efficient and, quite simply, AMAZING,” has drawn criticism for promoting a vehicle that is neither practical nor affordable for the average U.S. driver. The micro-EV’s limitations—including its tiny size, minimal range, and glacial charging time—highlight the disconnect between policymakers and the realities of American commuting, where speed limits routinely exceed 35 mph and families require more space and utility.