Despite American cars and trucks continuing to grow longer and wider decade over decade while roads and parking lots remain the same, tiny electric vehicles may be a glimmering hope in the horizon. I’m not talking about small cars here, I’m talking about tiny ones – electric micro-cars, to be precise.
In the US, they’re a small but growing class of vehicles, and they may be our only hope against a future of massive, energy-guzzling vehicles that can somehow zoom through playgrounds without noticing, yet can’t fit into parking spots.
What is an electric micro-car?
Here are a few definitions to explain these micro cars.
Microcars, neighborhood electric vehicles, and low-speed vehicles are some of the terms used to describe these little runabouts. We’ll explore each of them below. Each of them is wrong in some way.
Low-speed vehicles (LSVs)
Despite being a less frequently used term, it is actually the most accurate. This is because it is the only legally defined class of motor vehicles in the US.
It’s more or less the same as what Europeans call “quadricycles,” with the exception that in Europe, quadricycles can reach speeds up to 80-100 km/h (50-62 mph), while in the United States, LSVs can reach 25 mph (40 km/h).
LSVs are not defined solely by having a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). On the contrary, the vehicle must meet a variety of other requirements for being considered an LSV.
Around a dozen federal motor vehicle safety standards have been developed for LSVs that mostly cover speed and safety equipment. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also requires the manufacturer’s factory to be federally approved (as well as the factories that manufacture components like windshields, seatbelts and other important components).).
The fact that a small vehicle has seat belts and does not exceed 25 mph isn’t enough. The legality of LSVs will be explored in much more depth in Part 2 of this series, as new manufacturers find it quite challenging to receive street-legality for these vehicles.
This raises an important issue since many of the so-called “street legal” LSVs currently on the market in the US are far from being roadworthy.
However, for now, suffice to say that LSVs are a federally mandated category of vehicle that can travel at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h) and on roadways where speed limits are up to 35 mph (56 km/h).
There have been many low-production-volume combustion engine models available for LSVs over the past two decades, similar to the phenomenon of “kei cars” in Japan. Almost all LSVs in the US are now electric vehicles due to reduced regulatory hurdles associated with emissions testing, as well as the simplicity of manufacturing/maintenance.
There is no doubt that the LSV term is the most important term for this industry because it is the only one that is clearly defined. It brings us to our next topic, NEVs.
Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs)
In the industry, NEV is probably the most commonly used term, but it does not mean anything specific. There is no clear definition of what constitutes an NEV.
A small, slower-moving electric vehicle similar in appearance to golf carts that was primarily designed to travel on roads rather than across golf courses, the term originated before the federal government created the LSV category. It was largely a term that was used before the LSV category was created.
The GEM is one of the most famous NEVs, having started out under the Chrysler umbrella before moving to Polaris and then to WAEV.
It was the GEM that popularized the concept of an NEV before the US government established the LSV category, leading to the term NEV becoming the norm.
Although NEVs are used almost every day, there is no clear line drawn to determine what constitutes an NEV and what isn’t. It’s similar to the word “truck” in its vagueness. Are F-150s trucks? Can you tell me if 18-wheelers are trucks? Can you tell me what U-Hauls are? The Department of Transportation disagrees, but they’re all called trucks in common parlance.
Furthermore, NEV implies a solely neighborhood use for these vehicles. While this is certainly the case when it comes to neighborhood and local community use, densely populated cities are also becoming major markets for these vehicles.
It would take LSVs only 13 miles (21 km) to commute from Battery Park to Washington Heights, a commute that encompasses dozens of neighborhoods in Manhattan.
What are micro-cars?
In the same way that NEVs lack a clear definition, the term micro-car has become something of a catch-all. The term is usually applied to fully enclosed LSVs rather than open golf cart-style buggies like GEMs (although GEMs do have optional hard doors so they fit in the loosely defined category of micro-cars better).
Most people perceive micro-cars as being more like conventional cars, but scaled down into a smaller (and sometimes cuter) size. Therefore, this quasi-requirement for doors seems reasonable.
A microcar, like a NEV, does not have a federally defined class of vehicle, so the term is limited to everyday usage. For legal purposes, the LSV is the only motorized category that is federally defined.
Golf carts
There is perhaps no category that has more common knowledge than golf carts because you see them on almost every golf course around the country.
The majority of golf carts produced today are electric, despite being able to be powered by combustion engines or electric motors.
It is not uncommon for these vehicles to reach speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h) are sometimes modified to reach speeds as high as 30 mph or more. Some may have seat belts, radios, or other fancier features, but many are basic cars designed for general transportation.
Many small towns have enacted local golf cart ordinances allowing their use on roads with little traffic to allow traditional golf carts to be used on the streets.
The manufacture of LSV versions of golf carts that can be used on the streets has increased over the last few years. Providing these versions meet the LSV regulations laid out in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, they can be used like any other LSV on public roads with a speed limit of 35 mph (56 km/h) or less.
Micro-cars, on the other hand, generally have locking doors that can provide security and all-weather comfort. This is one of their major disadvantages over golf carts, which are basically open-air vehicles without doors or locking storage.
Use cases for electric micro-cars and small vehicles
The US uses LSVs for two main purposes: transportation and utility.
There are several advantages to owning a Light Sport Vehicle. Owners enjoy their small size because it makes them more maneuverable in traffic and easier to park. Many owners park them even in very tight parking spots that traditional cars cannot.
LSVs are also cheaper to purchase and to charge than electric vehicles with more complex designs. Many new LSVs can be purchased for below $10,000, which is much less than the cost of an electric family car, which is more than twice the price.
Some people also find them more fun to drive due to the novelty and go-kart feel they offer. They have a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h), which is suitable for most cities and communities. The slower pace can be fun for folks that enjoy cruising around their community and seeing the smiles on faces from onlookers.
Coastal communities, villages with older residents, and other planned communities are especially affected.
LSVs can serve many of the same purposes as large box trucks, especially in crowded cities, where larger trucks are difficult to maneuver. Electric mini-trucks are becoming more popular for delivery and cargo purposes.
It is common for these vehicles to have beds comparable to those offered by pickup trucks or small flatbed trucks, yet the entire vehicle is much smaller than those.
New electric mini-trucks such as the AYRO Vanish have been produced in the United States to meet the growing demand for such vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the cheapest electric microcar?
It’s not unusual to find electric microcars in the same price range as conventional cars. The cheapest electric car is the Citroen Ami, priced around €7,000 in Europe. Other budget-friendly vehicles include the Renault Twizy and XEV Yoyo.
2. What is a micro electric vehicle?
It is a compact, lightweight electric vehicle designed to travel short distances in urban areas, powered by electricity. With their small size, and limited range, these vehicles are ideal for commuting in the city and reducing carbon emissions.
3. How much does the microcar cost?
The price of a microcar varies depending on its model, brand, and features. Electric microcars generally cost between €6,000 and €15,000. Those with higher-end features will typically cost more.
4. Is a microcar electric?
It’s now becoming more popular to buy microcar’s that are electric, even if they don’t all run on electricity. People are purchasing electric cars because of the environmental benefits, low running costs, and suitability for the urban environment.
