In the past ten years, gas prices have increased by over 300 percent. It’s hard to think of any other product on the market that has made such a large leap in such a short period of time. Along with the environmental factors of vehicle emissions and the harsh political effects of oil reliance, rising gas prices indicate it’s absolutely time to rethink transportation. And one Ohio company is doing just that.
Myers Motors No More Gas (NmG) is a highway-legal, personal electric vehicle that reaches speeds of up to 76 miles per hour. The NmG’s battery can be charged in a 100-Volt service outlet for 6 to 8 hours to reach nearly full capacity - which allows a person to drive up to 30 miles (with energy costs of only two cents per gallon). The company claims that the average commuter drives around 12 miles a day making the NmG ideal for the majority of people. Though the three-wheeled vehicle does not meet car safety standards (it’s not required to), it does meet safety standards for motorcycles or three-wheeled vehicles. With intuitive controls for anyone who has ever driven a car, operators do not need a special license to operate the NmG (though they must have a license).
Despite all its capabilities, what immediately takes a person aback about the NmG is its strange, cartoonish appearance. Really, it would not be surprising to see SpongeBob driving an NmG down the road. With rounded slopes and long angles, the NmG is not a vehicle that most people will find aesthetically pleasing. And its appearance is certainly not helped by the bright colors selected for the exterior. The Myers Motors Web site shows photos of NmGs in colors like lime green, banana yellow and one adorned to resemble an American flag. More than anything else, a fleet of NmGs resembles a bowl of fruity pebbles. The vehicle also looks to be a pretty tight squeeze for drivers. Needless to say, this is not a vehicle for obese individuals. On the plus side, the NmG does have a small trunk with six cubic feet of space, and it’s equipped with a radio/CD-player and power windows.
Even though Myers Motors could have definitely toned down the novelty aspects of the vehicle’s design, the NmG isn’t really about appearance. This is a “green” product, designed to reduce pollutants and reliance on gasoline - and that it absolutely does. Compared to a regular car, the NmG greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions are 70 percent lower per mile. The NmG has the added benefit of enabling drivers to park in small and tight spots where regular vehicles could never imagine fitting. Most importantly, unlike hybrids, the NmG uses no gasoline whatsoever. With gas prices rising to unprecedented levels and no end in sight, many believe the time for consumers to act is now. Even if the NmG is an eyesore, it reminds every eye it sores that gas-powered vehicles have come to the end of the road and it’s time to find a better way.
The price of an NmG is said to be around $24,900 – though Myers Motors does not list prices on its Web site. Individuals interested in pricing information can send an email request to sales@myersmotors.com .
