Does anyone own a NEV (neighborhood electric vehicle) or GEM?

[Earth_First]

We've been taking a serious look at buying one. I'm just curious to hear from someone who owns one.

:hi:

[grasswire]

1. I've never heard of an NEV

Does it require a DL?

[Earth_First]

4. It's not different than a regular vehicle...

You must have a Class D and have the vehicle titled, inspected and registered as you would with any other vehicle.

There are roadway restrictions for obvious reasons, but for local commute, there really is no issue.

[leveymg]

2. You mean, like a golf cart?

No. But, my aunt and her husband just moved to a retirement community in NC. They have one. Everything is within half a mile, so its the most practical way to get around.

[Earth_First]

3. Sorta...

[leveymg]

7. Sorta. Here's another eco-friendly way to get around>

[Earth_First]

8. I protest to using dogs to get around town!

OH!

(...the bicycle!)

[leveymg]

10. Who's exploiting whom?

I swear, the dogs are in charge in this house.

[Uben]

5. I do

It's called a golf cart! I live in a gated lake community, and many people here use their golf carts to go to the store, restaurant, bar, fishing, visiting, etc. Our speed limit is 30 mph, so it is relatively safe for them on the streets. I can't recall any accidents involving cars and golf carts.

I looked at buying a GEM back before Christmas, but it was on Ebay, and looked like a scam. Beware of buying any electrical vehicle on Ebay sight unseen. A lot of them are scams. Use only the Ebay message system, and don't buy until you actually see it in person!

[EstimatedProphet]

6. I've driven a GEM

Saw one at a conference a few years ago. Salesman let me take it for a spin. I think they're great!

[karlrschneider]

9. Yep, they're great. Several people out here at our lakeside community

have them - and hundreds have golf carts to run around in. The GEMs are street legal but most golf carts aren't but we have an understanding with the sheriff's department and nobody hassles the carts unless they try to go out on the highway.

[xxqqqzme]

11. I know one couple who own a Xebra.

They love it! In CA they are registered as motorcycles; you cannot drive it on any street where the posted speed limit is above 40, as the vehicle's top speed is 40.

here's the website: http://www.zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=188

They bought a green one and spent the extra $1500 for the upgrades which mostly go to battery/charger upgrades.

The charge & mileage depends on terrain & weight, they said. Such as going up hill w/ sacks of potting soil is a drain but they are very happy w/ it and highly recommend owning one. I'm seriously looking into it.