NEV’s as well as LSV’s are defined in the National Highway Safety Administration as golf cars and other similar-sized, 4-wheeled vehicles to make short trips for shopping, social and recreational purposes primarily within retirement or other planned communities with golf courses. These passenger-carrying vehicles, although low-speed, offer a variety of advantages, including comparatively low-cost and energy-efficient mobility. Further, many of these vehicles are electric-powered. The use of these vehicles, instead of larger, gasoline-powered vehicles like passenger cars, provides quieter transportation that does not pollute the air of the communities in which they are operated.The standard requires low-speed vehicles to be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers. The agency believes that these requirements appropriately address the safety of low-speed vehicle occupants and other roadway users, given the sub-25 mph speed capability of these vehicles and the controlled environments in which they operate. Low Speed Vehicles can be driven on any road with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. While on a public roadway, the operator could pass over a road with a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour but must drive on roadways with posted limits of 35 miles per hour.

The Department Of Transportation National Safety Administration (NHTSA) added a new ruling on July 1, 2005, which stated that low speed vehicles must weigh less than 2500 pounds. Therefore, all our vehicles can qualify if your individual communities allow such vehicles except our 12 and 15 passenger shuttles which weigh approximately 3500 pounds. Many of our customers have received local exceptions for certain uses so we suggest that you check with your local authorities.

Why would I want an NEV?

• It's logical! Sixty five percent of U.S. families own a second car, yet over 50 percent of urban trips last less than ten minutes ­ perfect for NEVs. Eighty percent of all trips are within 10 miles or less in a traditional automobile ­ resulting in cold running motors that translate into excessive engine wear and more pollutants. NEVs are the right "tool" for most of our transportation jobs.
  
  

• It's easy! Say goodbye to annoying lines at the pump, oil stains, tune-ups, oil changes, radiator coolant, emissions tests, muffler replacements, transmission woes, and many other common headaches of today's "modern" combustion automobile.
  
  

• It's economical! NEVs offer an alternative to a second car -- initial purchase price, maintenance, insurance and cost of operation represent a very real and stylish alternative to a traditional gas-powered automobile for those around-the-neighborhood trips.