Chrysler releases electric vehicle
Chrysler’s new Peapod car, which debuts today, is many things. It is electric, small and cute. However, it’s not really a car. Well, at least I don’t consider it a car. It’s a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle that only goes 25 miles per hour and can only travel 30 miles on a charge.
The Peapod “car” goes on sale today, Earth Day, which is appropriate because its best qualities are its eco-friendly ones. It emits no pollutants and uses no gas.
Price of personality
This slow-moving, short-distance traveling little pod costs $12,500. It seats four (small) people, and Kevin Allen at “Shiny Objects” calls it a “four-seat hipster carrier.”
To me, $12,500 seems pretty steep for a vehicle that can’t go fast enough to hit the speed limit on major streets. However, the thought of never needing a payday loan to buy gas again is pretty attractive. Nonetheless, I’d probably need credit repair and a personal loan to afford a Peapod.
The company
The Peapod car is created by Peapod Mobility, which is a spinoff of GEM. GEM is a division of Chrysler. GEM has been producing small electric vehicles for a decade, and so far it has strong sales on college campuses and in retirement communities.
Geeking out
Besides its other unique qualities, such as its happy-face grill and ability to keep you from ever getting a speeding ticket, the Peapod has a little something for the technophiles out there. Owners of iPods have the option of using it as a key.
EcoGeek clears up some of the confusion surrounding the iPod feature, saying that Peapod owners have the option of just using a regular key or their iPods. Apparently, Wired reported that an iPod was required.
More bells and whistles
Peapod owners will be able to see exactly how much money they’re saving and how much good they are doing for the planet. After each trip the Peapod reports the carbon emissions that have been avoided and money saved.
Inspiration
The director of Peapod Mobility, Peter E. Arnell, designed the vehicle. He says he was inspired by Japanese bullet trains, storm troopers from the film Star Wars, space helmets and turtles.”
The Peapod does indeed have a turtle-esque quality to it. And if you ever meet Arnell, make sure you don’t use the phrase “neighborhood electric vehicle” or the abbreviation NEV. Arnell says the Peapod is a “Mobi,” the new nickname for vehicles of its kind that Arnell dreamed up. Arnell is hoping “Mobi” will replace the term “NEV” much like the term “SUV” has replaced “four-by-four.”
Not on the streets just yet
Aspiring Peapod owners can start placing orders today, a proper way to celebrate Earth Day. The vehicles will arrive in October.
Oh man…this is what our bailout money went to? It’s a golf cart. The pooled engineering minds of Chrysler only came up with an electric vehicle that can go 25 mph tops and only 30 miles at a blast? It’s interesting, but it’s a $13,000 golf cart.
Here, a NEV is (almost) totally worthless, even at $2000.
Not legal on streets with over 35 mph speed limit in California, so I could not even legally drive it out of my small, 100-home subdivision.
One can buy a “real” (useful) car for less.
The good things I can say about this car is that it will save you money and it’s very colorful.
I’ll stick with my minivan that seats 7 full sized adults and gets me where I want to go for the same price.
Earth day is an interesting event with an empty road free from cars.
Looks cute, much better than the Smart and Gee Whizz