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. Global Electric has sold about 1,200 vehicles, says Mike Clevenger, marketing director. Transportation-equipment giant Bombardier Inc. of Montreal, the only big manufacturer in the market so far, declines to disclose sales figures for its vehicle, which was unveiled in 1996.
Price is a problem.
Sun City Center, Fla., a sprawling retirement complex, has an estimated 5,000 golf carts, but just a smattering of NEVs. Drivers' Fears Outside protected areas, many drivers also fear driving a light vehicle among heavy cars and trucks. Unless more towns and cities create sheltered driving zones, sales of low-speed vehicles will probably be limited to niche markets such as gated communities, university campuses, office parks and resorts, says Daniel Sperling, director of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California at Davis. Indeed, Lu Cloyd and her husband gladly got rid of their second car and bought a NEV when they moved to Celebration. And many drivers feel safer in a NEV than in a golf cart.