Overview
- Chip Motors publicly unveiled the Chip in mid-July, opened refundable $250 reservations, and plans deliveries for 2027 with four- and six-seat models starting at an estimated $15,000 and $18,000 respectively.
- The company bills the vehicle as a “life utility vehicle” for short local trips such as errands, school drop-offs, and beach runs rather than highway commuting.
- The Chip is classified as a federal low-speed vehicle limited to 25 mph and generally allowed only on roads posted 35 mph or under, which legally bars it from freeway driving.
- The headline valet feature called “Chip Go” is teleoperation: remote human drivers will control empty vehicles via onboard cameras and sensors at launch rather than full self-driving autonomy.
- Chip lists an estimated 100-mile range, 110V/240V charging and a NACS port for Level 2 charging, and its entry highlights a growing market for low-cost neighborhood EVs even as regulators and rebate rules may limit adoption.