In the US, low-speed electric vehicles were once mildly popular, but with the rise of real electric automobiles, the low-speeder has lost its luster.
The same isn’t true in China.
Though China may not yet embrace the real electric automobile, the low-speed variety is really catching on.
In Shandong Province alone, some 128,000 low-speed electric were produced in 2012. Even more amazingly, 125,000 of those have been sold.
20 “automakers” produce these low-speed electric in Shandong, which is now considered to be the “low speed electric vehicle test zone,” according to China Car Times.
Why the intense focus on low-speed electrics? Cost and price. These automakers can produce the low-speed EVs for next to nothing, especially since they’re outside of regulations and don’t require safety equipment. The consumer can then buy these low-speeders on the cheap (like for 1/10th the price of a real EV).
The other reason for the rising popularity of low-speed electric is that you can drive them without a license and that they don’t require insurance.
Low-speed electrics aren’t likely to have a second coming in the US, but in other parts of the world, the low-speeder will surely dominate for years to come.
Though China may not yet embrace the real electric automobile, the low-speed variety is really catching on.
In Shandong Province alone, some 128,000 low-speed electric were produced in 2012. Even more amazingly, 125,000 of those have been sold.
20 “automakers” produce these low-speed electric in Shandong, which is now considered to be the “low speed electric vehicle test zone,” according to China Car Times.
The other reason for the rising popularity of low-speed electric is that you can drive them without a license and that they don’t require insurance.
Low-speed electrics aren’t likely to have a second coming in the US, but in other parts of the world, the low-speeder will surely dominate for years to come.
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