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(BPT) - Spend a few days in a waterfront town, vacation destination or golf community, and you’ll likely see a surge of local electric vehicles on neighborhood streets. The street-legal, low-speed vehicle category extends the fun, yet practical vehicles to suburbia and urban downtowns as the market for sustainable transportation grows. Low-speed vehicles (LSVs) offer a safe, more efficient and more enjoyable drive– especially when highway speeds and 300 miles of range aren’t required for daily drives.
Here’s what you need to know about low-speed EVs and why you should buy one.
What is an LSV?
LSVs are a specific, federally designated class of motor vehicles, not to be confused with golf carts. These elevated EVs have significant safety upgrades and they are generally street-legal across the country on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. Perfect for everyday errands.
What sets these EVs apart?
These head-turning EVs are stylish and fun to drive. Flexible charging can plug into any standard 110V outlet with fast-charging options available when needed. And with battery packs providing upwards of 100 miles, LSVs have more than enough range for multiple trips in a day. GEM LSVs even offer an optional rooftop solar panel that further increases range and reduces reliance on the grid.
Unlike a golf cart, LSVs are legal after dusk, just like a full-size EV, but at a much lower purchase price. A fully enclosed cab with hard doors and automotive-grade windows provides comfort and peace of mind from weather while containing kids, gear and groceries. Or remove the doors for a breezy, open-air ride. They are also incredibly durable and easy to clean, so don’t worry about dirty feet, sports bags or potted plants for the garden.
Where can LSVs go?
Business and residential areas in every U.S. state have speed limits between 25-35 mph, making LSVs an increasingly viable, safe and community-friendly option. Check out the GEM GO web-app for an easy-to-use map of posted speed limits legal for LSVs. And many cities are going even further and adopting Vision Zero’s 20 is Plenty policy in an effort to curb traffic deaths by posting 20 mph speed limits.
Additionally, in populated urban and community environments with congested roads, LSVs arrive at the same time as high-speed, full-size vehicles. While the compact footprint takes up less space on crowded roadways, with a variety of models and seating options, GEM electric LSVs come in two-, four- or six-seat models and provide an automotive-like driving experience for enhanced comfort.
Top reasons to buy an LSV
How much are LSVs?
Like any vehicle, there is a range. Starting MSRPs for GEM LSVs are e2: $15,240, e4: $17,490 and e6: $21,240. At a cost-per-mile of just $.03, they are as inexpensive as it comes, drawing less from the grid than full-size EVs and delivering a 30-50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over combustion vehicles.
Save your SUVs and full-speed sedans for the highway. The experience of cruising in an LSV offers a sense of calm, ease and fun that’s often missing from the fast-paced world of conventional driving — making it more than just a practical choice and providing an opportunity to Reimagine your Ride.
