The car of the future is an EV golf cart

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode explores a growing category of ultra-small, low-speed electric vehicles—essentially golf carts evolving into practical second cars. Verge transportation editor Andy Hawkins explains how startups like Chip and Amble, plus Fiat’s Topolino, are betting that affordability, simplicity, and changing mobility habits can create a real U.S. market, especially in warm-weather communities and for short local trips.

Main Topics: The rise of golf-cart-like EVs as second vehicles (Priority: 5/5): The central topic is a new class of tiny, low-speed electric vehicles positioned as alternatives to larger second cars, aimed at short errands and local family transport. Chip Motors and its product strategy (Priority: 5/5): Chip, a Miami startup, is building a Jeep-like, open-air, low-speed vehicle with room for four to six people, designed to be quirky, affordable, and useful for everyday local trips. Why this trend is emerging now (Priority: 5/5): Rising vehicle prices, declining appeal of sedans, and growing interest in e-bikes and electrified mobility are pushing consumers toward smaller, simpler transportation options. Regulatory advantages of low-speed electric vehicles (Priority: 5/5): These vehicles can qualify as low-speed electric vehicles, avoiding many safety requirements of full cars because they are capped at 25 mph and limited to roads with lower speed limits. Market limits and U.S. infrastructure challenges (Priority: 4/5): The segment may work in certain Sun Belt and beach communities, but broader adoption is constrained by road design, speed expectations, and America’s spread-out geography. Autonomy and future mobility possibilities (Priority: 4/5): Companies see a future where these vehicles could integrate teleoperation, parking assistance, and eventually autonomy, making them useful in shared or robotaxi-style environments.

Key Arguments: Consumers increasingly want a practical second vehicle that is smaller and cheaper than a truck or SUV. Golf carts and low-speed electric vehicles are already selling well in warm-weather, suburban communities. A low-speed EV can satisfy many daily trips without the cost, complexity, or range concerns of a full car. The regulatory bar is lower for low-speed electric vehicles, making them easier to design and bring to market. These products may succeed first in communities that already have golf-cart roads or limited-speed infrastructure. The biggest challenge is cultural and infrastructural: U.S. drivers are used to faster, larger vehicles and roads built around them. Autonomy could expand the usefulness of these vehicles, especially for short, local, or shared-use scenarios.

Data Points: Anthropic settlement: $1.5 billion - Mentioned in the show’s news segment about a settlement with authors over AI training data Books allegedly used: more than 7 million - Anthropic case described in the news roundup Low-speed vehicle cap: 25 miles per hour - Maximum speed for the vehicles discussed, including Chip and similar models Road limit: 35 miles per hour - These vehicles are intended for roads posted at this speed or lower Average vehicle transaction price: around $50,000 - Used to explain why consumers are looking for cheaper alternatives Topolino price: $15,000 - Fiat’s small vehicle is referenced as a more affordable option Insurance claim timing: as little as two days - Fetch pet insurance ad, not central to the discussion Vet bill frequency: every six seconds - Fetch ad statistic, not central to the discussion Vet bill size: over $1,000 - Fetch ad statistic, not central to the discussion Anthropic authors group: a group of authors - Describes the settlement recipients in the news roundup

Pivotal Quotes: "What if you don’t have to buy a giant four-door SUV or truck?" — Andy Hawkins: Core framing for the appeal of these small EVs as right-sized transportation "It’s the dumb phone version of a car." — Andy Hawkins: Describing these vehicles as simpler, safer, and more purpose-built than conventional cars "There needs to be some sort of middle ground between the F-150s and the golf carts." — Andy Hawkins: Summarizing the market opportunity for a new vehicle category

Implications: If the segment grows, it could reshape second-car ownership, expand low-speed mobility markets, and pressure cities to adapt roads and rules. Adoption will likely be strongest where short trips, warm climates, and existing golf-cart culture already make smaller vehicles practical.