US-based GreenTech Automotive unveils low-speed electric two-seater MyCar
06 July 2012
GreenTech Automotive (GTA) unveiled its MyCar, a two-seat Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) with a range of up to 115 miles (185 km). GreenTech Automotive purchased Hong Kong-based EuAuto in 2010 and relocated the company’s operations and manufacturing to the United States.
In the US, MyCar has a top-speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) due to regulatory restrictions, classifying it as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV). In the European Union, MyCar has a top speed of up to 45 mph (72 km/h).
MyCar will have an expected base price of $15,500. The company expects to evolve MyCar into other vehicle models, including a micro pick-up and delivery vehicle, beginning in 2013. GTA also plans to manufacture a larger MyCar EV beginning in 2014. Future models, including the MyCar EV planned for early 2014, will also be competitively priced, according to the company.
There are millions of people in the USA who cannot use one of these vehicles because they live on roads with speed limits well above 35 MPH, and it is not safe to drive at 25 MPH on them. If these vehicles were "unlocked" and allowed to go their full 45 MPH top speed, they would be far more useful and far more widely used.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 06 July 2012 at 12:34 PM
The reason NEV's are not allowed to go faster than 25 mph is that they are less crashworthy. Any company that spends the money to make their cars meet modern standards can drive them as fast as they wish.
Posted by: citizen | 06 July 2012 at 01:56 PM
It's ridiculous to restrict these vehicles to 25 MPH while allowing people to ride motorcycles, even WITH helmets.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 06 July 2012 at 08:23 PM
I dont think NEVs qualify for the $7500 Fed tax credit. I'm sure you could unlock the speed once you got it home..
Posted by: Herm | 07 July 2012 at 08:01 AM
If I unlock it will it tow a boat?
Posted by: ToppaTom | 09 July 2012 at 07:35 PM
Very light 100 kph, one or two place, much lower cost EVs will replace many current heavy gas guzzlers in the not too distant future because many people (the 97%) in USA/EU (and many other places) will no longer be able to afford to drive the current 2+ tonnes ICE monsters.
The much poorer 97% will have to adapt to future much smaller electrified vehicles or eat less, live in smaller homes, buy/wear cheaper clothing and shoes, drop expensive restaurants, play less expensive sports, send children to lower cost schools etc.
That's what can be expected from the permanent lost of many million manufacturing jobs and the accelerated transfer of $$$$B from the 97% to the 3%.
Posted by: HarveyD | 10 July 2012 at 09:48 AM