Chip Motors, a U.S.-based electric vehicle startup, has launched preorders for its first model, the Chip EV, a low-speed electric vehicle priced from $15,000. Designed for short urban and suburban trips, the vehicle includes a remote-driving feature that allows owners to summon a human operator for tasks like parking. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in Florida in 2027, with plans to expand to other markets.
Design and Specifications
The Chip EV is available in two configurations: a four-seat model starting at $15,000 and a six-seat version priced at $18,000. Both feature a soft-top roof, in-wheel motors, and a 15-kilowatt-hour battery, providing an estimated range of 100 miles at a top speed of 25 mph. Under U.S. federal standards, the vehicle qualifies as a low-speed vehicle (LSV), permitting operation on roads with speed limits up to 35 mph, subject to state regulations.
Jameson Detweiler, cofounder of Chip Motors, told that the Chip EV addresses a gap in the market for practical, road-legal low-speed vehicles. "Golf carts became popular for short trips during the pandemic, but they weren’t designed for public roads," Detweiler said. "We saw an opportunity to create a purpose-built product that meets regulatory standards while offering better functionality."
The vehicle includes a front trunk for storage, optional doors, and accessories such as surfboard racks. While Chip Motors assembles the EV in the U.S., the company has not disclosed details about manufacturing partners or production capacity. The design targets warm-climate regions and private communities where low-speed vehicles are already in use.
Remote-Driving System: Chip Go!
The Chip EV’s most distinctive feature is its remote-driving capability, branded as Chip Go!. The system enables owners to transfer control to a remote human operator for tasks like parking. For instance, a driver could unload at a destination and then dispatch the vehicle to park in a distant lot. Chip Motors will assume liability for any incidents occurring during remote operation.
Initially, the feature will only be available when the vehicle is unoccupied. Detweiler confirmed that the company is collaborating with Florida state and local officials to ensure compliance with regulations governing remote-driving assistance. Pricing for the service will be structured in time-based bundles, such as minutes or hours of remote operation, though specific rates have not been announced.
Detweiler also outlined plans to transition Chip Go! to Level 4 autonomous driving in the future, though no timeline has been provided. The current system relies on surround-view cameras and forward-facing radar, omitting lidar—a sensor commonly used in autonomous vehicles. Detweiler defended the decision, stating that lidar is unnecessary for low-speed environments. "At 25 mph, the vehicle’s sensor suite is sufficient for safe operation," he said.
Regulatory and Competitive Landscape
The Chip EV complies with federal low-speed vehicle standards, which allow LSVs to operate on roads with speed limits up to 35 mph. However, state and local regulations vary, and the remote-driving feature will require additional approvals. Detweiler noted that Chip Motors is actively engaging with Florida officials to address these requirements.
In the low-speed EV market, the Chip EV competes with established players like GEM, which produces LSVs for commercial and residential use, and Moke, known for its retro-styled buggies. Neither competitor offers a comparable remote-driving feature. The Chip EV’s pricing also undercuts many street-legal golf carts, which often exceed the base model’s $15,000 cost.
Despite its competitive pricing and innovative features, the Chip EV faces challenges. The feasibility of Level 4 autonomy in a low-cost vehicle remains unproven, and consumer demand for low-speed EVs outside niche markets is uncertain. Detweiler, however, remains optimistic about the vehicle’s potential. "Our goal is to create a practical, affordable EV that redefines short-distance transportation," he said.
Preorders for the Chip EV are now open, with deliveries set to begin in Florida in 2027. Chip Motors has not released preorder numbers or production targets.
