The Neighborhood Electric and Corbin models are both one-person vehicles with two wheels in front and one in back. Although they are enclosed, they count as motorcycles under federal guidelines, the companies say. That means they don't have to meet car-safety standards. All of these makers see a growing market. Already, hundreds of low-speed NEVS are roaming gated and planned communities across the Sun Belt.
Many communities encourage small vehicles to control auto congestion and pollution.
Celebration, a Walt Disney Co. planned community near Orlando, has sprinkled NEV parking spots around its village to help create a pedestrian-friendly environment. Bicycle-shop owner Joseph Judge says he has 22 Global Electric NEVs and plans to rent them to tourists after the village's hotel opens later this year. Ultimately, makers of even the slower NEVs hope to reach beyond sheltered communities and to pick up a piece of the broader market for second and third cars. Following a ruling by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year, a number of states now allow vehicles with top speeds of 25 mph to be used on public streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less. But NEV makers so far are selling only moderate volumes.