Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed into law Thursday a bill authorizing low-speed electric cars to run on some Minnesota streets. Here are answers to common questions:

What are they?

They're defined as neighborhood electric vehicles and are designed for short trips on side streets. They run on an electric motor powered by heavy-duty batteries. The new law allows them to be driven on roads marked for speeds no greater than 35 miles per hour.

How do they work?

Top speed is 25 mph, and models made by a Minnesota firm can run as far as 55 miles before the batteries need recharging. A battery meter tells drivers when they're running near empty.

How much do they cost?

Prices range from $8,000 to $20,000, depending on manufacturer and features. The models built in Minnesota have a basic price of $15,000. Charging the batteries costs about 80 cents, or 1.5 cents per mile. With gasoline prices around $3 per gallon, a conventional car that gets 27 miles per gallon would cost nearly $6 to travel 55 miles.

Where else might they be used?

The Department of Natural Resources bought one a year ago for maintenance duty at Itasca State Park, and may expand the use elsewhere. Colleges and airports could provide other locations.

How many are there?

More than 30,000 in the United States. The market leader is Global Electric Motorcars LLC. of Fargo, N.D, a DaimlerChrysler company. The Minnesota firm that sells the $15,000 model, e-ride Industries of Princeton, has manufactured 200, mostly at a plant in Pierz, Minn. The firm pushed for passage of the law.

 

PAT DOYLE,  Star Tribune