Chip Motors
A futuristic, $15,000 electric vehicle that chats with drivers, streams TV, and can even park itself sounds like something straight out of science fiction, but there’s one major limitation: you can’t drive it on the highway.
Miami-based startup Chip Motors has unveiled the Chip, a compact electric “life utility vehicle” designed for neighborhood trips rather than long-distance commuting. The small EV looks more like a rugged golf cart than a traditional car and is built for errands, school drop-offs, beach trips, and grocery runs.
The Chip tops out at 25 mph, offers around 100 miles of range, and can be charged using either a standard 110-volt household outlet or a faster 240-volt connection.
AI assistant can chat with drivers and remotely park the vehicle
One of the Chip’s standout features is its built-in AI assistant, which can hold conversations with drivers while also monitoring the vehicle’s condition.
It can also alert owners to maintenance issues, such as a slowly leaking tire, and integrate with smart home devices. As drivers head home, it can ask whether they would like the living room air conditioning switched on and the garage door opened.
The next great American car is a robot.
Talks. Parks itself. More customized than your coffee.
Meet Chip (@drivewithchip). You can reserve today. Starting at $15,000. pic.twitter.com/phPBRIiDgT
— Jameson Detweiler (@jamesoniam) July 15, 2026
The vehicle’s most eye-catching feature is “Valet Mode,” which allows drivers to get out and send the empty vehicle off to find a parking space or even return home by itself.
The Chip is not fully autonomous, however. When the feature launches in early 2027, the vehicle will instead be controlled by remote human operators in the US using its onboard cameras and radar. The system only works when nobody is inside the vehicle.
Despite its advanced technology, the Chip is classified as a low-speed vehicle, meaning it has a top speed of just 25 mph.
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Because of that, it cannot legally be driven on highways or freeways and is instead intended for lower-speed roads and neighborhood use, subject to local regulations.
Chip’s neighborhood-focused EV joins a growing wave of ultra-compact electric vehicles targeting short trips instead of highway driving.
Earlier this month, Fiat opened US orders for its $15,000 Topolino, another low-speed EV built for local errands and communities, signaling that more automakers are betting that Americans may be ready to embrace smaller electric vehicles for everyday travel.
