feature article
sept
2019
GOLF CARS
VERSUS
N
eighborhood Electric
Vehicle (NEV) is a
U.S. denomination
for battery electric
vehicles that are usually
built to have a top speed
of 25 miles per hour
(40 km/h), and have a
maximum loaded weight
of 3,000 lb (1,400 kg).
[1] Depending on the
particular laws of the
state, they are legally
limited to roads with
posted speed limits of 45
miles per hour (72 km/h)
or less. NEVs fall under the
United States Department
of Transportation
classification for low-
speed vehicles.[2] The
non-electric version of the
neighbourhood electric
vehicle is the Motorised
quadricycle.
NEVS
NEV stands for Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, so they are
specifically designed to be street legal golf carts, thus allow-
ing them to be driven on city streets as the law permits.
Street laws around the world are being re-written to help ca-
ter to the increased demand for these types of vehicles, and
golf cart communities are forming, too, with the idea that
electric cars be the primary means of transportation.
As a general rule, NEVs and street legal golf carts can be
driven on roads with speed limits not exceeding 35-45 miles
per hour.
SEPTEMBER 2019
5