Zoomi Life

Right on the front page of their site, Myers Motors says that their goal is “Sub-$20,000 vehicles that are practical and affordable…” Pretty bold statement when you see that most highway-ready electrics with any range worth driving are triple and quadruple that amount (or more). So far, they’ve managed to bring the price point of their little electric to $29,995. They’re getting close.

Their car, the NmG, is touted as America’s first all-electric, highway speed, lithium battery powered, sub-$30,000 vehicle, and is available now. It is an entrant into the Automotive X Prize as well. The batteries and controller were developed in conjunction with Akron University.

This little NmG has some impressive characteristics, for sure. This 3-wheeler has a top speed of 75mph and is legal in the HOV lane of most states, even though it’s a one seater. The car is small enough that areas that allow lane splitting could also see less traffic as two NmGs can share a lane comfortably.

Since the tiny cars are considered motorcycles in most areas, they also receive ferry privileges, special parking allowances, and more.

The car is made of composites and as such has a wide variety of fade-resistant colors available, so if you prefer cherry red to orange, lime green over teal, or blue to purple, there’s a choice for you. With layered construction, a low center of gravity, and a spherical core to the body design, the cars are very safety-conscious as well.

The cars charge from any 110V outlet and use a 156V DC motor and controller. Power windows, stereo, and so forth are all standard, as you’d expect in any good car. The trunk is 6 cubic feet for good storage for everyday use too.

The batteries have a lifespan of up to four years and are lithium ion, the pack weighing in at nearly 600 pounds. They take from six to eight hours to fully charge and have a range of up to sixty miles per charge. Optional 220V charging at much faster charge rates (nearly 75% less time) is available.

The cars are made-to-order with $10,000 down to put yours into the production queue. Most orders take around 12 weeks to complete and deliver. The company is still selling the 2008 model, which they have not changed because they have not had any major upgrades to give it a new designation. Shipping is direct.

While these little cars have some obvious limitations (such as the 3-wheeler not being eligible for a lot of tax credits), they are a big step towards the future of EV technology. They are available now, not next year or maybe a couple of years from now (if all goes well).

With alternatives like the Myers NmG and the Aptera 2e finally hitting the streets, let’s hope that electric vehicles start to really catch on. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be driving a Myers in the next town parade.

Here’s a video of the Myers Motors NmG in action: