FEB 10

The base model is $16k, not $15k.

They are using lead acid batteries--how long will those last? And the car only comes with a one year warranty. I'll pass. You'd be better off retrofitting a Miata.

I hope I'm not covering well-beaten ground here, but this is hardly the first mass-produced NEV. Most of them are made overseas, I guess, but that doesn't make them unavailable.

There are a lot of mass-produced NEVs available... They're just slow and not exactly cheap. GEM and Zenn are two typical makes -- but pretty-much any apartment-complex uses a gasoline-powered version of one of those vehicles.

Also, there are a number 3-wheeled electric vehicles that can be registered as motorcycles like the Zap Xebra. Some promising (but not yet available) options are the Green Vehicles Triac and Buckshot. Also, the Zap Alias looks neat, and Zap was working on opening a factory in Kentucky. And the Aptera is making some progress, and, AFAIK, they're an American company.

Personally, I'm holding out for a price-drop (and girlfriend-approval) with the Brammo Enertial electric motorcycle. The Vectrix highway-capeable electric scooter looks more mature, but my last motorcycle was a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (50+mpg and the power-to-weight ratio of a sports-car) -- and I like that sort of classic-motorcycle look and feel.

I realize that an NEV will work for the majority of local driving, but I don't think that the average American consumer looking for an EV wants a crippled one, even with a decent price tag. For the same price or less, as mentioned above by Grant, you could retrofit a miata (I'd prefer a convertible Ghia myself) and have a highway capable vehicle that is good for all of your local travel rather than most of your local travel. We'll stick to our bikes, Vegfalia (VO-powered Westfalia) and biodiesel Jetta until a reasonably priced, highway capable EV or biofuel capable PHEV comes out. Thanks for the post!

Hey EcoGeek, love your work but I think your a bit off on this one. My knowledge of NEV vehicles is that they have a governed top speed between 20-25 mph (no higher and no lower). Its government limited otherwise they have to register as a normal vehicle and must go through normal crash testing. Cars like the Miles ZX40S and ZENN are regulated under this law and can only go up to 25 mph out of the factory (some individuals alter the vehicles to go faster but this is illegal).

Here is some more info on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N...ic_vehicle

Also here is what ZENN says on their website "Myth 5: Electric vehicles aren’t fast enough.

Designed to meet neighborhood and urban transportation needs, the regulated maximum speed of a ZENN is 25 mph. As such its intended use is busy urban areas, lower speed roads and places like gated communities and campuses where speed is neither necessary, desirable or safe."

Please correct the article accordingly as I don't think the car qualifies for most of Americans average driving.

Andrew,

You're right, but the rules can vary by state. In Illinois, the law is basically that the NEV can travel 25mph on roads up to 35mph. But there is some funky rule about crossing roads with higher speed-limits. There's also a provision that allows a town to pass a resolution allowing NEVs on roads with speed-limits higher than 35mph. OTOH, license plates are not required (or allowed?) on NEVs here.

At least that's what I've gathered from reading a section of the motor vehicle regulations and talking to enthusiasts here -- IANAL. In any case, having just moved from a county in Virginia with an out-of-control police department, I value not attracting police-attention -- so, in order to avoid having to argue that what I'm doing is legal, I may have to keep my Ford Ranger a little longer and keep bumming my girlfriend's Prius for short trips.

Anyway, just trying to complicate everyone's day... :-)

Who is going to spend 15K on a car that won't go over 40 mph? Not me. This has no chance of being mass produced.

You guys make interesting points, but I sincerely wish them luck. I just want to see the corner turned.

40 mph [check] (too many corners to go any faster)
lead acid battery [check]( easier to replace in the caribbean)
60 mile range [check] ( one weeks travel )
20 degree Hill start [??] (there are a few hills)

15 - 18 [a little much] (bring it to 10 and it would be fine)

The Prius G2 with PHEV option at 5k$ to 15k$, transforms the Prius into a NEV 40MPH and a 8 to 30 mile pulse range.
(pulse meaning you can get more than X miles, coasting is free)

(Ford Escape Hybrid - same argument btw)

W/O a PHEV kit, it's still a 35MPH NEV-2.

Plus, you seat 4-5, and a huge hatchback storage
Plus, airbags & increased crumple zones
Plus, environmental controls
Plus, highway capable
Plus, towing capable w/hitch (like a Corolla)
Plus, a 15 minute hop on the highway will recharge your battery pack

So, personally, I hate NEV's for Canada / US usage, as our cars need to be versatile.

For use in small-town only and in a place like the Caribbeans / tourist areas, then yes, a NEV instead of a scooter, for cargo/rain.

In any NA major city, why bother with a NEV if you live "in the heart" of the city? You use public transit, just rent a car for weekend trips, for gosh sakes.
Did I mention my dislike of pure pricey NEV's?

Good point Andrew, like the Zenn, top law speed is 25MPH.

You'll be passed by bicyclists.

Two Zenn's or Two BG's = 1 Prius

Once paid for and outside my 5 year powertrain warranty, I'll upgrade to PHEV.
When I got my G2 Prius in 2006, the PHEV kits were still pricey. Three years later they are less than half.

Hopefully it will halve again in 2012 when I will save up 1 year of car payments to buy a PHEV, or a 6k$ budget.

Well I think the car lovers wont prefer to take this looking at its features,its speed,its capacity.
One would go for used bikes instead of,which gives high speed at approximately same price.

Let me see i drive 5 km to work every day one way...live inside city limits in Northern ontario..thats canada for your southerners......i would buy this if it were available and legal here in a heartbeat....anything to go away from oil monopolies..this country needs to start thinking about the average joe who cant afford to be putting umpteen amounts of gas thru their car....and help our kids future at the same time....im not buying another vehicle til an all electric comes out....i have 2 vans and a truck now lol...both older and paid for..im waiting....