Cute, Electric, Slow Wheego
I love to see new electric cars hit the market but I’m always sad to see more neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs). This is a car classification that pretty much says ‘go-cart’. This is the Wheego.
There is a market for NEVs and situations where they are ideal. I will also admit that they are paving the way for faster electric cars. I just hate to see so much money and energy wasted on a half step like this. It just makes a lot more sense to hold out until the automakers come up with affordable plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars. Vote with your wallet, save your money and hold out for the real thing. There are three problems I see with NEVs.
ZENN Motor Company
Here is an electric car you can buy today in America, made in Canada. The main draw back is that it is limited to 25 MPH in order to stay in compliance with FMVSS 500 Regulations. These US Government regulations were originally written for golf cart like electric vehicles also called NEVs or neighborhood electric vehicles. FMVSS 500 doesn’t require such steps like crash testing.
We’ve contacted ZENN to see if a highway capable vehicle is planned, no word yet. It’s exciting to see another company enter the electric car market but a little sad to hear the cars can’t drive down the freeway or even down many of our 45 MPH boulevards and secondary roads.
But if you live in a small community and 25 MPH works for you this might be a great little car to buy. It’s a 2 seat, 3 door hatchback with a fully enclosed aluminum alloy space frame and ABS Body Panels. It’s 100% electric and charges to 80% in about 4 hours and fully in about 8 hours. It plugs right into normal outlets too, no special wiring needed. It has a nice storage space in back and can store up to 13 cubic feet of stuff. It’s range is only 35 miles but that’s plenty for most small community errands.
Base price is $12,750. Some extra cost options are a sunroof, battery upgrades, upgraded stereo, and an ETEC LSV-100 Fast Charger ($8,995.00) gulp!. We plan to take a field trip to our nearby electric auto dealer and check one out. They are on the lot now and waiting for buyers. Visit the ZENN website to locate a dealer near you.
