It is critical that one understands what a NEV is and what it is not. Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) is not required to satisfy highway capable standards when that clearly is not the intention or legal requirement of the car.

The NEV meets or exceeds all safety standards of its low-speed vehicle class, as defined by Transport Canada. In November 2007, Transport Canada granted the ZENN use of the National Safety Mark enabling the ZENN to begin selling in Canada. There is a deliberate attempt to confuse the issue by constantly comparing the NEV to highway capable passenger vehicles. The NEV was not designed to travel on 400 series highways and therefore does not have to meet the same high-speed collision requirements. Just as you would not expect a motorcycle, or scooter, bicycle or bus to meet the same safety standards as a passenger car, so too must a low-speed vehicle be held to the standards defined by its class.

In terms of vehicle class, the low-speed vehicle (LSV) has an absolutely exemplary safety record. Approximately 40,000 LSVs have been operating on public roads in the United States for nearly ten years without any evidence of safety problems. In fact, data from the National Traffic Highway Institute (NHTSA) found that there have been no fatalities associated with the use of LSVs in mixed-use environments since 1996 (when the data started to be collected). The LSV is among the safest classes of vehicles in operation in the United States . The admirable LSV safety record can be attributed to such things as:

- Better driver control and awareness at lower speeds
- Increased reaction time due to lower operating speeds
- Shorter braking distances
- General use of LSVs in lower speed applications, and that drivers of LSVs are fully aware of their operating design and drive them appropriately

The LSV also provides a significant increase in occupant protection when compared to other low speed transportation options in the marketplace such as bicycles and motorized scooters.

The relative position of the LSV in terms of road safety must also be understood to include increased protection for cyclists and pedestrians in the event of a collision with a lighter weight, slower moving low speed vehicle.

You one need to pay the electricity, not the batteries.

GM would join to a motorcycle manufacturer and sell also electric motorcycles.

Small cars as the Smart ForTwo Electric Vehicle has found new electric rivals: Toyota iQ and VW Chico.

On the other hand, electric vehicles buyers recieves money (tax credits).

Who is going to buy gas-guzzlers ? . As said, nobody. Everybody is buy or going to buy electric vehicles.

Toyota is going to be the king in the United States.

The Goverment can TRY to save them, but they are not ready for this. They have no plans to sell electric cars in 2009 (really, that all the cars would be electric).

Regards.

A Vectrix (all-electric motorcycle, high-way capable and with a 100 km. range), cost the half of a gasoline motorcycle (BMW 400 cc), including manteinance.

The electricity cost 6 euros / month and the gasoline 6 euros / week. Who is going to pay MORE for a gasoline motorcycle ?. NOBODY.

Transport electrification is unavodable.

Regards

Everyone is down. Its funny people focus on GM in your country but that is your Americas auto maker.

We drive a GM in india and like them a lot. We would never buy a toyota. We prefer the comfort of american cars.

Toyota is, of course, in a better position to weather these difficulties, but it is not immune to them.

And it happened at a time when Americans travels the most…the summer. The trust is gone for a long time. It would be in America’s best interest to continue it’s research and development to own the hybrid, electric and alternative fuel auto production like it did for trucks the past 10 years.

We just need to get the ball rolling and the innovations will follow.