Should You Buy a Low Speed Electric Car?

If you’re one of those who believe electric cars are the way to go but are frustrated there’s nothing on the market to satisfy that need, think again. Many companies offer low speed electric cars today. You won’t necessarily recognize their names – like Dynasty Electric Vehicles, Green Eco Mobility (GEM), and Miles Automotive – but unlike the major automotive brands, they’re selling electric cars today. Should you buy one? That depends on your circumstances and whether the unique attributes of a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) are a good fit for you. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Not Your Average Car
Neighborhood electric vehicles are made specifically to travel at low speeds and, in fact, are required by law to be electronically limited to a top speed of 25 mph. The federal law that regulates NEVs also requires that they be driven on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less, no doubt so higher speed traffic is not impeded. It is also a safety issue.

Why ‘Low Speed’ Cars?
Most, but not all, NEVs are smallish vehicles without the same degree of crashworthiness engineered into conventional vehicles. They also do not undergo the rigorous and quite expensive U.S. crash testing required of their full-function counterparts. The federal law that regulates them came about as growing numbers of golf carts were being driven on streets in and around retirement communities, and these carts had no basic safety equipment like seat belts, horn, brake and tail lamps, and windshield wipers. Low speed vehicle regulations were established that required these basic safety features and made appropriately equipped golf carts legal for driving at lower, and presumably safer, speeds. More car-like NEVs evolved from the golf carts that prompted these federal rules.

NEVs are Different
While NEVs may in some cases look like conventional vehicles, they rarely offer the same kind of driving experience. If you’re looking for the typical touchstones offered by the major brands – high levels of comfort, performance, safety, luxury, and functionality – some NEVs can come up short. They may not have the same smooth ride as even small conventional cars or the acceleration, handling, or industry-standard levels of noise, vibration, and harshness. Some newer entries that start out as mass-produced internal combustion engine cars in markets like China but are brought here as electrics do offer a more familiar driving experience and may even offer safety features like airbags.

Open-Air NEVs vs. Enclosed
Open-air NEVs like the GEM are loads of fun to drive on warm and sunny days, but don’t offer all-weather driving capability without optional side curtains or doors. Fully enclosed NEVs that look more like conventional cars do offer standard doors and all-weather protection, but lose the sense of spaciousness you get in an open model. Once inside a NEV with doors, you may feel like you’re just in a very tiny car with tight interior space.

How Much Do They Cost?
NEVs are not cheap because they use costly motors, controllers, and batteries, plus they’re manufactured in small numbers compared to conventional model cars. You can expect to pay about $7,000 to $15,000 for a NEV.

Are They Worth It?
NEVs are clearly not for everyone. But they are a good fit for a growing number of people and businesses where low-speed travel is all that’s needed, and use of a conventional vehicle running on gas just seems a waste. No matter that they don’t offer the same functionality as conventional vehicles or the same extensive safety systems … most people who choose NEVs for around-town or community use rarely give a second thought to this. They’re driving in vehicles that emit no tailpipe emissions, don’t contribute to petroleum dependency, and enable them to tool around town for pennies per mile in a pretty cool ride. Enough said.