US Companies Bet on Low-Speed EVs; Fiat and Chip Motors Offer $15,000 Models

The US automotive industry is stirring with a wave of “miniaturization. ” These vehicles are not traditional cars but electric low-speed vehicles (LSVs), positioned between conventional golf carts and ordinary light vehicles. They can typically be charged overnight via a household outlet, eliminating the need for specialized charging stations that cost thousands of dollars to install. Because some models do not require registration, precise data on the US LSV market is limited, but the industry broadly believes the segment is growing. President Donald Trump recently said at General Motors’ proving ground in Michigan that he would grant US automakers the right to produce “micro cars,” and cited the potential for European and Japanese small cars to become popular in the US. “I go to Europe, I see these small cars everywhere, why don’t we make them? ” he said. Currently, US regulation of LSVs is relatively lenient: vehicles must not exceed 25 miles per hour, must be equipped with headlights, turn signals, rearview mirrors, and windshields meeting federal safety standards, but airbags are not mandatory, and they are permitted on roads with speed limits below 35 miles per hour. Fiat, a brand under Stellantis, plans to launch the all-electric four-wheel “Topolino” (Italian for “little mouse”) in the US, with a starting price of about $15,000. The car has already gained popularity in Europe and is currently sold in limited numbers in the US. Fiat CEO Olivier François said he hopes to make Fiat a micro-mobility brand within Stellantis and use the US market for testing. California startup Chip Motors plans to produce a four- or six-seat low-speed vehicle named “Chip,” positioned as a “lifestyle utility vehicle. ” The car resembles a reinforced golf cart, featuring an interactive digital smiley face screen, with a base version starting at $15,000 and a six-seat version also available. The company plans to sell first in Miami, which is seen as a hot market for such vehicles. Another LSV brand operator, Waev, which owns brands including GEM originally from Polaris, says its CEO Keith Simon noted that the popularity of various forms of electric low-speed vehicles continues to grow, with many new entrants. These vehicles are typically used for short trips within closed communities, such as retirement communities or apartment complexes, and their main competitors are still golf carts rather than traditional cars.