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
In U.S. regulations, a low-speed vehicle (LSV) is a four‑wheeled vehicle under about 3,000 pounds that can go at least 20 mph but no more than 25 mph, and is generally allowed on roads signed 35 mph or below. Many of these are battery-electric and marketed as neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs).
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:
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- 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.
