During Hybridfest Green Drive Expo in Madison, Wisc., I had the opportunity to meet Lucy Zweep of Ozee Cars, distributors of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles or NEV's.
NEV's are a category invented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. Here's what you need to know:
Speed: They don't go smokin' fast, but they're not golf carts, either. The "true" Neighborhood Electric Vehicles go at least 19 mph and no faster than 25 mph. They are designed to travel in "neighborhoods" or streets posted 35 mph or lower.
Street Legal: It's okay to drive on 35mph posted or less streets, at least, in most states. Check with our local municipality for the ordinance they have in place regarding the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.
Safety: A true NEV, must adhere Federal Safety requirements. NEV'S are safer than a bicycle, moped, horse and buggy, or motorcycle, all of which share the roads with NEV'S.
Charging: They plug into a standard 110v outlet (like the one where you plug in your toaster, for example). Generally it takes 6-8 hours to recharge them, depending on how drained the batteries are.
Operating Costs: It costs from 1 penny a mile to operate them, depending on the price of electricity per kilowatt-hour in your neck of the woods.
Purchase Price: The average NEV will start at around $8,000 and can be customized with several options for each individual
Financing: E-loans has volunteered to provide auto loans, even if your credit is a little...eccentric, for Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.
Tax Incentives: There may be a tax credit or incentive depending on where you live. Check with your accountant for any incentives or credits you may receive from purchasing a NEV.
Products offered by Ozee include the California-based Vantage 7-passenger minivan, the Columbia Par Car, golf/estate vehicles and EZ Ride E-bikes!
Comments