My wife and I recently enjoyed a road trip through Northern Italy that took us through the regions of Lombardy, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. All told, we drove 1374 km or, 852 miles.

Our route gave us the opportunity to visit three of Italy’s larger cities–Genoa, Bologna, and Milan.

Italy's long history includes the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, and the Unification of Italy in 1861. Rome, for example, was founded in 753 BC.

The Italian peninsula is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a  mountainous boot-shaped country defined by the Alps in the north and the Apennine Mountains forming its central "backbone". 

Considering Italy’s history it is easily understood that the narrow streets in Italy's ancient city centers are a product of medieval planning, with design rooted in defensive strategies, climate control, and limitations of pre-industrial transport.

These spaces were built for foot traffic and horse-drawn carts, long before cars existed. And today, those streets continue in their original layout.

Ancient buildings remain or have been rebuilt in the same location. Land is precious and little was planned and developed as open space. Old, long-established cities in other Central European countries also were built with narrow streets.

This combined with historic high fuel prices (I paid $8.55 per gallon on my trip), limited land space, small family sizes and other factors led to European cars, in general, being small. Years ago we saw some very small European micro cars such as the BMW Isetta, the Mini Cooper, and the Messerschmitt kr200. Now today, we are seeing the advent of new design micro cars with the newest being battery-powered with a limited top speed.

Pictured in this story, from top to bottom, are the Fiat Tipolino, Renault Twizy and Citroën Ami.

The European Union does not currently have specific regulations defining "small cars," but manufacturers are lobbying for a new homogenization category for affordable "e-cars" to compete with Chinese vehicles.

A proposal, inspired by Japan's Kei car segment, suggests less stringent safety standards and lower costs to produce smaller, urban- focused vehicles. This initiative aims to create a new market for affordable EVs.  A plan proposed by Stellantis and Renault to create a separate category for small cars in Europe has gained a key supporter in European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The U.S. is a bit behind. However, nearly every US state allows the use of LSVs provided they meet certain regulations. I am familiar with Charleston South Carolina allowing for LSV usage with a 4-mile radius of one’s home. Many that I have seen look like 4-seat golf carts.

We wrapped up our two-week road trip in Northern Italy in Milan.

We drove from Verona into central Milan to our hotel.

I then returned our rental car to an in-city location since we wouldn't need it for the remainder of our trip. When I dropped off the key with the rental agent I was informed I had to pay Milan's Euro7.50 congestion charge.

Milan's congestion charge is known as Area C, a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the city center where most vehicles must pay a fee to enter from Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, with a discounted rate on Thursdays after 6 PM, and a penalty for late payment. Non-polluting vehicles like electric cars, mopeds, and some hybrids are exempt, while heavily polluting diesel vehicles are banned, and a ticket must be purchased and activated by midnight the day after entry to avoid fines.

Milan is joined by London, Singapore, Stockholm and New York City with congestion pricing plans. Many cities around the world, and in the US too, are considering plans like these. Some cities like Paris and Rome have Limited Traffic Zones (LTZ) that restricts certain classes of vehicles from entering.

Will we soon not only be thinking electric but be thinking small?

Happy motoring!

© 2025 Larry Nutson
The Chicago Car Guy
The Auto Channel

Fiat Topolino Lands on US Shores

• FIAT brings la dolce vita to America with the arrival of the Fiat Topolino
• Highly anticipated Topolino marks Stellantis' first entry into the U.S. micromobility segment
• Limited quantities of 2026 Fiat Topolino and Topolino Dolcevita are available now through select dealers
• Low-speed vehicle designed for neighborhood and lifestyle use, with potential for street-legal capability by late summer 2026
• Topolino MSRP is $13,995 (not including destination fee)
• A new expression of joyful, purpose-driven mobility for FIAT
• Within Stellantis' FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, FIAT plays a central role in expanding customer choice, delivering accessible, design-driven mobility

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A little piece of la dolce vita is now crossing the Atlantic and into America. The Fiat Topolino brings its unmistakable Italian spirit to U.S. shores - playful, stylish and offering a new kind of freedom for modern neighborhoods. More than a vehicle, Topolino is an invitation to rediscover mobility through simplicity, joy and design. The Topolino's highly anticipated arrival also marks a strategic step forward for FIAT within Stellantis, expanding into the fast-growing micromobility space.

"Topolino represents a new chapter for the brand in the U.S. - defined not just by size, but by purpose," said Olivier Francois, FIAT brand CEO. "With Topolino, we bring a feeling, a lifestyle, a reminder that mobility can be joyful, expressive and beautifully simple.

"FIAT continues to stand apart by embracing its legacy in small cars, redefining mobility, and anticipating evolving customer needs. With the introduction of Topolino, FIAT brings its unmistakable Italian design and iconic character into this fast-growing segment, offering a fresh, stylish alternative that reimagines urban and neighborhood mobility."

Compact and unmistakably Italian, the Fiat Topolino is a low-speed electric vehicle designed for life beyond crowded streets - from coastal drives and resort communities to private neighborhoods. In the United States, for example, most golf cart owners purchase these vehicles for purposes far beyond the golf course, reflecting a broader demand for practical, everyday micromobility solutions that the current market has yet to fully address.

Inspired by Italy's design culture and seaside spirit, it trades speed for experience, turning everyday movement into something memorable. Lightweight, fully electric and thoughtfully designed, Topolino reimagines mobility as something more personal and more human - a vehicle made for moments, from sunset rides to spontaneous plans.

The offer includes two body styles, Topolino and Topolino Dolcevita.

Exterior Features

• Verde Vita exterior color
• 14-inch wheels with vintage covers
• LED lamps
• Hinged opening windows
• Symmetrical body design
• Panoramic sunroof (Topolino)
• Roll-back soft-top (Topolino Dolcevita)
• Door rope (Topolino Dolcevita)
• Dolce Vita badging

Interior Features

• Digital cluster
• Storage compartment / glove box
• Gear selector
• Luggage space
• Phone holder
• Bag hook
• Windshield defrost (Topolino)

Powertrain and Performance

• 5.4-kWh lithium-ion battery
• Maximum speed: 19 mph
  *Topolino owners have ability to increase maximum speed to 25 mph to become street legal through installation of Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) conversion kit - by end of summer 2026
• Range: up to 46 miles
• Full charge in approximately five hours (2.3 kW AC)

Product Details

• Vehicle dimensions : 4'7'' by 8'3'' by 5'1''
• Weight: 1,073 lbs (Topolino)

An LSV is a federally regulated street-legal motor vehicle capable of speeds between 20 and 25 mph. Unlike standard golf carts restricted to the golf course, LSVs are legal on public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

With a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $13,995 (not including destination fee), limited quantities of 2026 Fiat Topolino and Topolino Dolcevita are available now through select dealers across the U.S. For more information, visit fiatusa.com.

Within Stellantis' FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, FIAT plays a central role in expanding customer choice, delivering accessible, design-driven mobility tailored for how people live and move today. Rooted in Italian creativity and amplified by global scale, FIAT helps bring a new generation of electric and urban solutions to market with speed, relevance and purpose. In doing so, it contributes directly to Stellantis' ambition to deliver more choice, more affordability and more meaningful innovation for customers worldwide.

Additionally, FIAT has partnered with Motori & Customs as a third-party outfitter to offer U.S. customers an exclusive collection of curated Topolino editions, along with fully bespoke, tailor-made customization services. Whether selecting from thoughtfully designed signature editions or commissioning a one-of-one creation, customers can personalize their Fiat Topolino to reflect their individual style. Additional details are available at motoricustoms.com

FIAT Brand
With a rich history dating back more than 125 years, FIAT brand has stayed true to its pillars of iconic Italian design and refinement, plus a fun-to-drive factor that come standard with every Fiat.

The Fiat 500e, the first Stellantis retail battery-electric vehicle (BEV) offering in North America and the best-selling city EV in Europe, is the lightest passenger BEV in the market, delivering an estimated range of 149 miles. Featuring a 42-kWh battery, the Fiat 500e combines BEV capability with quintessential design cues that make it unmistakably FIAT, with style and sustainability at its core.

FIAT is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

• FIAT brings la dolce vita to America with the arrival of the Fiat Topolino
• Highly anticipated Topolino marks Stellantis' first entry into the U.S. micromobility segment
• Limited quantities of 2026 Fiat Topolino and Topolino Dolcevita are available now through select dealers
• Low-speed vehicle designed for neighborhood and lifestyle use, with potential for street-legal capability by late summer 2026
• Topolino MSRP is $13,995 (not including destination fee)
• A new expression of joyful, purpose-driven mobility for FIAT
• Within Stellantis' FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, FIAT plays a central role in expanding customer choice, delivering accessible, design-driven mobility

"Topolino represents a new chapter for the brand in the U.S. - defined not just by size, but by purpose," said Olivier Francois, FIAT brand CEO. "With Topolino, we bring a feeling, a lifestyle, a reminder that mobility can be joyful, expressive and beautifully simple.

"FIAT continues to stand apart by embracing its legacy in small cars, redefining mobility, and anticipating evolving customer needs. With the introduction of Topolino, FIAT brings its unmistakable Italian design and iconic character into this fast-growing segment, offering a fresh, stylish alternative that reimagines urban and neighborhood mobility."

Compact and unmistakably Italian, the Fiat Topolino is a low-speed electric vehicle designed for life beyond crowded streets - from coastal drives and resort communities to private neighborhoods. In the United States, for example, most golf cart owners purchase these vehicles for purposes far beyond the golf course, reflecting a broader demand for practical, everyday micromobility solutions that the current market has yet to fully address.

Inspired by Italy's design culture and seaside spirit, it trades speed for experience, turning everyday movement into something memorable. Lightweight, fully electric and thoughtfully designed, Topolino reimagines mobility as something more personal and more human - a vehicle made for moments, from sunset rides to spontaneous plans.

The offer includes two body styles, Topolino and Topolino Dolcevita.

Exterior Features

• Verde Vita exterior color
• 14-inch wheels with vintage covers
• LED lamps
• Hinged opening windows
• Symmetrical body design
• Panoramic sunroof (Topolino)
• Roll-back soft-top (Topolino Dolcevita)
• Door rope (Topolino Dolcevita)
• Dolce Vita badging

Interior Features

• Digital cluster
• Storage compartment / glove box
• Gear selector
• Luggage space
• Phone holder
• Bag hook
• Windshield defrost (Topolino)

Powertrain and Performance

• 5.4-kWh lithium-ion battery
• Maximum speed: 19 mph
  *Topolino owners have ability to increase maximum speed to 25 mph to become street legal through installation of Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) conversion kit - by end of summer 2026
• Range: up to 46 miles
• Full charge in approximately five hours (2.3 kW AC)

Product Details

• Vehicle dimensions : 4'7'' by 8'3'' by 5'1''
• Weight: 1,073 lbs (Topolino)

An LSV is a federally regulated street-legal motor vehicle capable of speeds between 20 and 25 mph. Unlike standard golf carts restricted to the golf course, LSVs are legal on public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

With a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $13,995 (not including destination fee), limited quantities of 2026 Fiat Topolino and Topolino Dolcevita are available now through select dealers across the U.S. For more information, visit fiatusa.com.

Within Stellantis' FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, FIAT plays a central role in expanding customer choice, delivering accessible, design-driven mobility tailored for how people live and move today. Rooted in Italian creativity and amplified by global scale, FIAT helps bring a new generation of electric and urban solutions to market with speed, relevance and purpose. In doing so, it contributes directly to Stellantis' ambition to deliver more choice, more affordability and more meaningful innovation for customers worldwide.

Additionally, FIAT has partnered with Motori & Customs as a third-party outfitter to offer U.S. customers an exclusive collection of curated Topolino editions, along with fully bespoke, tailor-made customization services. Whether selecting from thoughtfully designed signature editions or commissioning a one-of-one creation, customers can personalize their Fiat Topolino to reflect their individual style. Additional details are available at motoricustoms.com

FIAT Brand
With a rich history dating back more than 125 years, FIAT brand has stayed true to its pillars of iconic Italian design and refinement, plus a fun-to-drive factor that come standard with every Fiat.

The Fiat 500e, the first Stellantis retail battery-electric vehicle (BEV) offering in North America and the best-selling city EV in Europe, is the lightest passenger BEV in the market, delivering an estimated range of 149 miles. Featuring a 42-kWh battery, the Fiat 500e combines BEV capability with quintessential design cues that make it unmistakably FIAT, with style and sustainability at its core.

FIAT is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis. For more information regarding Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), please visit www.stellantis.com.

FIAT PRESS RELEASE

FIAT reaffirms its leadership in micromobility with a landmark event held in Rome—the first entirely dedicated to this fast-evolving mobility segment. With this initiative, the brand presents a complete and coherent ecosystem designed to redefine the way people and businesses move in today’s increasingly complex urban and extra urban environments.

At a time when micromobility is rapidly emerging as a global megatrend, FIAT confirms its ambition to lead this transformation—not just through individual products, but through a clear and consistent vision.

FIAT continues to build on the success of Topolino, which has rapidly established itself as a true design icon. Simple, fully electric, and accessible, from 2025 Topolino achieved the European leadership in the electric quadricycle market. And the positive momentum goes on, as the second quarter 2026 is going to set the Topolino all-time best record in terms of order collection, +30% vs 2025.

To restate the socially relevant role historically played by FIAT, Topolino success significantly boosted the energy transition, driving electric mix way over 60%, the highest EV mix of any car segment in Europe today.

The range now expands with new design interpretations—New color Corallo, New Dolcevita body, Topolino Sport, and the Topolino New Vilebrequin Collector’s Edition—each reinforcing the model’s different personalities and transforming it into both a practical mobility solution and a powerful lifestyle and design statement, capable of generating strong engagement and brand affinity across diverse audiences.

In addition, Inspired by Topolino’s philosophy of enjoying life’s simple pleasures, FIAT partnered with Monster, the iconic audio innovator, to create the Monsterlino—stereo Bluetooth speakers designed exclusively for Topolino. Magnetically attached to the vehicle and easily removable when the journey ends, the speakers can also attach to a smartphone, extending the experience beyond the car.

Furthermore, broadening its vision beyond personal mobility, FIAT also presents a new evolution of TRIS, the brand’s first-ever three-wheeler. Developed as a global project, TRIS addresses the growing demand for efficient and sustainable last-mile transport. Building on its functional applications, TRIS now explores new lifestyle territories with the Dolcevita concept—inspired by the open-air elegance of the Italian Riviera. Designed for hospitality and leisure environments, it offers a more experiential and emotionally engaging approach to mobility, extending FIAT’s philosophy into new domains.

Within its TRIS evolution, FIAT launches a collaboration with Caffè Vergnano, the oldest Italian coffee roaster nationwide, to develop new street coffee solutions as an extension of the Caffè Vergnano 1882 coffee shop project that will bring the Dolce Vita spirit and Italian flair to cities across Europe.

Finally, at the heart of the vision for the future stands the Multiplina Concept—a bold, socially relevant reinterpretation of the legendary 1956 Fiat 600 Multipla. Conceived as the missing link between a Topolino and a car, the concept will introduce a layout that maximizes space efficiency through an intelligent, human-centric architecture.

Together, the Topolino, TRIS and the vision of the future represent the three complementary pillars of FIAT’s micromobility ecosystem. From personal mobility to professional applications, from everyday commuting to lifestyle experiences, FIAT is building a complete and accessible system—rooted in simplicity, ingenuity, and unmistakable Italian style.