A futuristic electric vehicle priced at $15,000, which can communicate with its driver, stream TV shows, and even park itself, might seem ideal for a sunny California day. However, there’s a significant drawback: it’s not allowed on highways.
Chip Motors, based in Miami, has introduced the Life Utility Vehicle, a compact electric cruiser that resembles a rugged golf cart more than a standard automobile.
These small EVs are primarily meant for short trips.
This model boasts a maximum speed of 25 mph, a range of around 160 miles, and can be charged using either a standard 110-volt household outlet or a quicker 240-volt option.
During a demonstration, my assistant mentioned, “You have 40 miles of range left. There’s a fast charger just three miles to your right. Should we reroute and pre-condition the battery?”
Additionally, it can notify you about maintenance issues and alert you to slowly leaking tires. When you arrive home, you could even ask whether you’d like the air conditioning in your living room turned on or the garage door opened.
One of the standout features is “valet mode,” which allows the driver to exit the vehicle and send it off to find parking independently, or even make its way home alone.
The catch? The vehicle isn’t fully autonomous.
When this vehicle rolls out in early 2027, a remote operator in the U.S. will control empty vehicles using onboard cameras and radar, but only when no one is inside.
Due to regulations, it cannot operate on highways, which limits its use to neighborhood errands, school drop-offs, grocery runs, and similar short trips.
This classification may also disqualify it from California’s MyFirstEV rebate program, which is aimed at vehicles that can operate on highways. This poses another hurdle for potential buyers.
Also, it’s worth noting that vehicles from Tesla don’t receive special exemptions from this program either, and only the most basic versions of the Model 3 and Model Y might meet the pricing criteria.
