seriously, the Mini-E has a top speed of 98mph. They're just concerned without people to pay a gas tax they'll have no money to pay their salaries......errr fix America's crumbling infrastructure.

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REPORT: IIHS concerned with growing popularity of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

Translation: How can we not loose money, but better yet, figure out a way to make more money.

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Never, ever forget the IIHS is run by the insurance lobby strictly for their gain. For the sake of principal, I take the opposite stand on any of their recommendations.

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The Mini-E is not an NEV. NEV's are almost literally souped-up golf carts.

Look up the GEM, that's an example of an NEV.

http://www.gemcar.com/

quote - "GEM battery-electric vehicles are classified as low-speed vehicles, or neighborhood electric vehicles, and are street legal in nearly all 50 states on public roads posted at 35 mph or less. With a top speed of 25 mph, GEM cars have a range of up to 30 miles on a charge¹ and are great for traveling around neighborhoods, city centers or job sites. GEM vehicles are battery-electric, operate on a 72-volt battery system and plug into a standard 110-volt outlet. What makes GEM vehicles so unique is that they can be recharged anytime, anywhere a 110-volt outlet is available and recharge in approximately six to eight hours²."

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This is stupid. They're going to try to say how horrible unsafe these things are... while simultaneously ignoring that motorcycles, which are FAR FAR FAR FAR more dangerous, are still legal and acceptable forms of transport. Some people don't want to drive in something that keeps them safe, some people want fun, others want convenience. I'm sick of nanny corporations like this making every new car weigh 3700lbs.

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How are these NEV's more dangerous than a motorcycle???

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The differences between motorcycles and NEVs:
- Motorcycles are generally used as a hobby. NEVs may be used for daily commuting where the traffic is denser and more dangerous.
- Motorcycles are capable of matching the speed of traffic and integrating seamlessly into the traffic flow. NEVs can't keep up and interrupt the traffic flow, which puts them at greater risk.
- Other drivers recognize motorcycles. Some NEVs look just like real cars, so other drivers are not going to be aware of their speed limitations and react accordingly.
- Motorcyclists are required to wear helmets in many places. NEV drivers generally don't wear helmets.

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ForgedInternals, I highly doubt the IIHS is concerned about the gas tax.

???

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The IIHS is "worried".

This is news?

All those killjoys do is worry.

(Though we do all have to give them a tip of the hat for the '59 BelAir meets '09 Malibu video. That was fun.)

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nobody is "pushing" you.........Brian
paranoid hater

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The only aspect they contributed to car safety is to see to it that low speed impacts don't cost them any money. Think 5 mph bumpers.

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5 mph bumpers haven't been required for something like 25 years. The current standard is protecting safety equipment (headlights, essentially) at 2.5 mph - and it's just fine if the bumper itself is destroyed in the process.

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Yes, I know. Historical perspective showcasing their mission has not changed. It was and still is to minimize costs on their end. All other considerations are secondary.

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