What is it? Global Electric Motorcars (G.E.M.) makes a series of neighborhood electric cars that, due to government regulation, are speed-limited to 25 mph. In some places they are legal on roads with speed limits up to 35 mph. Unlike golf carts, they have safety belts, rollover protection, headlights, turn signals, safety glass, and rearview mirrors. The cars use six (or optionally nine) lead-acid car batteries and have electric motors ranging from five to seven horsepower. They are front-wheel drive, and because they are electric and run only at low speeds, they don't require a transmission. Various G.E.M. models are available for two, four, or six passengers, with trunks or small pickup beds, and with soft canvas, hard fiberglass, or no doors at all. Batteries take 6-8 hours for a full recharge, and provide a conservative range of 25-30 miles.

What is new or notable: G.E.M. is targeting the cars to retirement communities, as well as to individuals as second or third vehicles for around-town use. The company claims that 90 percent of vehicle trips take place at less than 35 mph, and that for those trips, its cars can go 150 miles on the equivalent of a gallon of gas. The operating costs are said to be about one-eighth to one-tenth that of ordinary compact cars. Full doors and heaters are now available. An $8,000 fast charger is available that can charge the batteries in under 1 hour.

CR's take: We hope operating costs are that low, because once you add options such as doors, a heater, and a radio, costs approach that of a fully capable sub-compact, such as the Honda Fit, which gets excellent gas mileage. With those options, however, the G.E.M. begins to look much more like a real alternative to a car, rather than a golf cart.

When will it be available? On sale now.

Consumer Reports New cars: A to Z

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