I just purchased a new neighborhood electric vehicle which has been "tuned" to go at a maximum speed of 42 MPH. This vehicle has not yet been delivered to me, but I have been practicing driving at 25, 35 and 42 MPH in my ICE vehicle.

It seems to be quite safe to drive at 25 mph on residential streets. In fact, that may be too fast during the time when school kids are going to or coming from school.

However, my in-town driving is generally not comfortable unless I am at 30 to 35 mph. On some of the faster city streets on the outskirts of town, even 35 is too slow. However, I have found 42 mph to be very comfortable in this situation and am not bothered too much by impatient drivers.

Speeds beyond 42 mph are not possible with my NEV, so it won't be going on any freeways.

thats cool, BUT cops CAN give you tickets for taking a non propper car to higher speeds than 25 mph since it isn't passed with crash safty tests most likely.

Update to my first post. I've had the EV for about a month now. As it turns out, it will NOT go 42 mph. The actual maximum speed is about 35 mph, and that is adequate for my local errands. I like the vehicle, other than the degraded range it offers on cold winter days. It uses lead-acid batteries. I'll be shopping for lithiums when these die.

thanks for the update! pics!!!!

Because of the winter weather I haven't really had a good opportunity to photograph my Zenn, but here is one anyway.

thank you so much for the pics, and i'm SO jealous

Even the extention cord is "go green" =) How about some inside shots? Motor? batteries? electronics?

Does it have a tach?

Let me put it simply. The engine works harder to spin faster. That means that when you downshift and make it spin faster, it will require extra work. The car "wants" to stay in the gears easiest to turn, so unless you give it some more gas, it will not "want" to downshift and once there it will cause decelleration (engine braking).

It's the same rules that apply to a scooter basically. If you can get like 45mph you might need a special license. Car looks great, though!

_________
Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets. - Arthur Miller
xenon lights car grills card shufflers

using electric type vehicle is also good for our environment because it will not produce pollution, and i think it's also safe to use it because it has speed limit.