NEVs - the Affordable Electric Vehicle

Did you know that you could buy an electric vehicle for $10,000 or less? It's true. Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) provide today's drivers with an eco-friendly, low cost alternative to the gas powered vehicle and high-end electric cars. Even better, you won't have to wait years to get one. These zero emissions vehicles are already available for purchase.

Chrysler's Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) has been manufacturing NEVs since 1998. GEM offers a variety of NEV models with surprisingly low starting prices of around $7,000 to $12,000. These low prices defy the stereotypes that have kept many consumers away from the electric vehicle market. Indeed, they are a far cry from the $49,900 base price the Department of Energy is reporting for Tesla's highly anticipated Model S. NEVs may also qualify for ARRA or NEESA tax credits for up to $2,500 to $7,500, according to the IRS.

NEVs do have their limitations. For example, the typical NEV has a max speed of around 25. NEVs are not typically allowed to drive on roads with speed limits over 35 MPH, notes writer Bryan Johannsen, with specific laws varying by state. These types of limitations have undoubtedly limited the appeal of NEVs among American drivers.

Many NEVs also have a golf cart like appearance. It's an issue the industry is working to resolve. Dynasty Electric Vehicles has developed the IT, a vehicle with a fairly hip VW Bug appearance. The company claims that the vehicle can travel up to 30 miles on a single charge, under ideal conditions. Indeed, the limited range of NEVs is another factor that makes them an unlikely choice for many drivers.

Clearly, NEVs are not for everyone. But for city dwellers with relatively short commutes, an NEV might just be the perfect vehicle. In fact, cities may have the most need for emissions free electric vehicles. A traffic jam made up of NEVs instead of gas-powered vehicles would certainly produce less air pollution.

For NEVs to truly catch on, we'd need to make a lot of changes as a society. Many Americans travel vast distances to reach work each day, driving on highways where high speed limits and laws prohibit the use of low speed vehicles like NEVs and mopeds. It's a fact of life that makes owning a gas-powered vehicle a necessity for a lot of people.

It's a problem that was largely created by the proliferation of the gas-powered vehicle during the 20^th Century, a technology that enabled Americans to move away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into the peaceful suburbs. The problem is that they had to keep moving to get away from the urban sprawl they had created, creating a decentralized society that relies on high speed, gas-powered vehicles to move individuals from one place to another.

Luckily, there is a movement underway to promote the growth of local economies and healthy, vibrant communities. A community where people can drive short distances to work, shop, and relax is exactly the kind of utopia where the NEV could succeed.