4 ms·

I'd technically be in the demographic for this. I have a less than 10 mile commute. However, that 28 MpH maximum speed is a legitimate limitation/problem, even

I'd technically be in the demographic for this. I have a less than 10 mile commute. However, that 28 MpH maximum speed is a legitimate limitation/problem, even on my under 10 mile commute, there's at least two roads that are 40 MpH (people drive 45 MpH), and I'm going to get honked at if I can barely maintain 28 MpH. I like the price and concept... But that max speed is a deal breaker. It will be interesting to see what cost a freeway model is.

brightball 8y ago
These are literally golf carts. Exact same usage as a golf cart.
- mkirklions 8y ago
  No safety protection = not cars IMO. Can't go on the freeway, no airbags, this lets not compare with US cars.
- Shivetya 8y ago
  the usage cases are just going to be so limited, the liability of letting them on the road will probably be moot if the NHTSA holds them to the same crash standards as cars. I just don't see it, the "upscale" neighborhood adjacent to us is replete with golf carts and most of those are electric, but they have wide sidewalks to support them as the rules do not allow them on road ways.
stemc43 8y ago
There is no way these will be street legal in US. Just 0% chance. Selling something street legal is a huge hustle in US -> is why there is exactly 0 Chinese car manufacturers represented here (hell - no even european renault and peugeot can get established) -> just a huge lobby & big & politics & patent war stacking up against this.
- bryanlarsen 8y ago
  Low speed vehicles with no safety equipment are street legal in most US states. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-speed_vehicle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-speed_vehicle
bluGill 8y ago
US law has a provision for low speed cars with a 25mph top speed. Typically these cars are not allowed on roads with a speed limit > 35mph. There are less safety requirements which is why these cars can be cheaper.
ajmurmann 8y ago
Similar situation here. I do badly want the Toyota i-Road for my commute, but they seem to be making very slow progress with that vehicle. Edit: I so badly want a green, cheap vehicle for my commute and ideally a solution for first and last mile public transit connection. My own i-Road and rentable ones for public transit connection would be amazing. Only problem might be the huge pickups with their brutish drivers everywhere in the US.
Para2016 8y ago
"the US version will start at $8,950" I don't like that price point at all. With $9k you can get a much better vehicle that has far more utility.

brightball 8y ago

These are literally golf carts. Exact same usage as a golf cart.

mkirklions 8y ago
No safety protection = not cars IMO. Can't go on the freeway, no airbags, this lets not compare with US cars.
Shivetya 8y ago
the usage cases are just going to be so limited, the liability of letting them on the road will probably be moot if the NHTSA holds them to the same crash standards as cars. I just don't see it, the "upscale" neighborhood adjacent to us is replete with golf carts and most of those are electric, but they have wide sidewalks to support them as the rules do not allow them on road ways.

stemc43 8y ago

There is no way these will be street legal in US. Just 0% chance. Selling something street legal is a huge hustle in US -> is why there is exactly 0 Chinese car manufacturers represented here (hell - no even european renault and peugeot can get established) -> just a huge lobby & big & politics & patent war stacking up against this.

bryanlarsen 8y ago
Low speed vehicles with no safety equipment are street legal in most US states. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-speed_vehicle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-speed_vehicle

bluGill 8y ago

US law has a provision for low speed cars with a 25mph top speed. Typically these cars are not allowed on roads with a speed limit > 35mph. There are less safety requirements which is why these cars can be cheaper.

ajmurmann 8y ago

Similar situation here. I do badly want the Toyota i-Road for my commute, but they seem to be making very slow progress with that vehicle. Edit: I so badly want a green, cheap vehicle for my commute and ideally a solution for first and last mile public transit connection. My own i-Road and rentable ones for public transit connection would be amazing. Only problem might be the huge pickups with their brutish drivers everywhere in the US.

Para2016 8y ago

"the US version will start at $8,950" I don't like that price point at all. With $9k you can get a much better vehicle that has far more utility.