If you’ve been browsing low-speed electric vehicles for sale, you’re not alone. From beach towns and retirement communities to college campuses and dense downtowns, low-speed EVs are becoming the “right-sized” alternative to hauling a 4,000‑pound SUV for short trips. This guide walks you through what counts as a low-speed vehicle, how they’re regulated, what they cost, popular models, and how to shop smart, especially if you’re considering a used LSV.
Quick definition
What is a low-speed electric vehicle (LSV)?
In the U.S., a low-speed vehicle is a specific legal category created by federal regulators in the late 1990s. To qualify as an LSV, a vehicle must:
- Have four wheels and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under roughly 3,000 lbs
- Be capable of at least 20 mph but not more than 25 mph on a paved level road
- Meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 (FMVSS 500) equipment rules, things like headlights, tail lights, turn signals, mirrors, windshield, seat belts, and reflectors
- Typically operate on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or below (states can tweak this)
Most low-speed vehicles on the market today are battery-electric. You’ll see them sold as neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), street-legal golf carts, electric runabouts, and campus or resort vehicles. They’re designed for short trips of a few miles at a time, not highway commuting.
