Buy Electric: 5 Electric Cars You Can Buy Right Now
82The world of electric cars is expanding, and becoming quite interesting. On the horizon, are some impressive concepts, sure. But you do not have to wait to buy electric. There are a number of electric cars you can buy right now. If adding an electric car to your world sounds right to you, may this hub serve as your jumping off point resource. I hope you will find it a useful reference.
As you do your research, keep in mind that the electric cars currently available in the U.S. (at the time of this writing) all fall into a class of vehicles known as NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles). This means these electric cars are built for traveling on Main Street, in a city's downtown, or through a suburb for shopping and errands, on roads with a maximum speed limit of 35 mph. That said, these electric cars give you plenty of reasons to buy electric.
1. GEM
Commonly referred to as the "GEM Car", this electric vehicle's maker is a division of Chrysler. Global Electric Motorcars get around (pun, sorry). Most of us have surely seen one of these electric cars -- at a mall, golf course, driven by a municipality, or on a college campus. GEM has by far the widest range of options available of any NEV, which is why this company has already caused many a prospective customer to buy electric.
Price: $7,400 - $13,000
Top Speed: 25 mph
Driving Distance on Full Charge: Approx. 30 miles
For All Its Pros, Here's a Con: With all the GEM's available options, one longs for an NEV with a long list of standard features.
2. Kurrent
3. Miles
I like the double entendre name of this electric car maker. At this time, Miles makes a mini-mini-van NEV that seats four, has actual cargo space, and looks and feels the most like a "real car" of any vehicle in this category. The Miles ZX40 comes in three trim levels, with the ZX40S Advanced Design being the top-of-the-line model.
Price: Up to $18,400 for the ZX40S Advanced Design model
Top Speed: 25 mph
Driving Distance on Full Charge: Approx. 50 miles
For All Its Pros, Here's a Con: It looks like a "real car", but some other NEVs have a higher top speed.
4. ZAP
The Zero Air Pollution (or ZAP) car company makes an array of NEVs, and other electric-powered modes of transport. Their principle street vehicle is the Xebra Sedan electric car. It is a three-wheeled wonder, that is gaining traction in "crunchy-grainy" locales like Portland and Seattle. The Xebra is a fun looking car that comes in a range of colors, and has me wanting to buy electric as soon as I can.
Price: Starts at $11,700
Top Speed: 40 mph
Driving Distance on Full Charge: Approx. 25 miles, extensible to 40 miles with what ZAP calls "opportunity charging"
For All Its Pros, Here's a Con: You may find the three-wheel design awkward for your tastes.
5. ZENN
ZENN = Zero Emission, No Noise, and the company has a growing fan base happy to help it achieve marketplace zen. This is another NEV that looks more like a car than a golf cart. In fact, its chassis has been road tested. Its manufacturers note this electric car includes all comfort features you would expect to find in a city vehicle.
Price: $17,245 - $21,030
Top Speed: 25 mph
Driving Distance on Full Charge: Approx. 35 miles, up to 50
For All Its Pros, Here's a Con: Compared to its competition, this is a pricey vehicle.
There are other electric cars currently available in the U.S, which give you a range of choices when you are ready to buy electric. I would welcome any comments you have about available NEVs.
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Comments
Thank you, pylos. I am only just getting into electric cars. I plan to buy one after my wife and I move to Burlington, Vermont next year.
I love that lil Kurrent, lol. I travel round in a Hybrid as its impractical otherwise but it's awesome. Great job! :)
Tough choice. Only one appears to approach highway speed but that one also has short distance.
It's so true, wrand. NEVs are what they are -- but let's hope the highway EV is right around the corner. Perhaps, the Tesla?
I think the Zap looks really sweet!
Me too, LondonGirl! They have a zebra-print paint theme you can buy, and I might do that when I am ready for an NEV.
I think I would go for TESLA ROADSTER!!!!
It is an attractive vehicle, Rajiv -- IF you have six figures to spend on a car.
pylos26 says:
12 months ago
verrrrrry interesting...good hub...pylos