ZENN LSV Priced at $10,000

Another all electric vehicle joins the club of ready-to-buy EVs which seem to have swamped the market in the past few months. Largely unknown on the international scene, Canadian manufacturer ZENN announced yesterday that the ZENN LSV (low speed vehicle) will be available for order in the US. The vehicle can be purchased at a starting price of $9,995, an offer available throughout June 2009, under the company's Ambassador Program.

Ambassadors are the term used by the manufacturer to designate test customers. They are provided with a $4,750 rebate that can be immediately applied at point-of-purchase. Ambassadors who sign up for this limited-time program at point of purchase will receive a tool kit that includes a ZENN hat, ZENN t-shirt, and promotional literature.

But what is ZENN LSV? As we said, an EV like any other EVs out there. The company calls it a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) and has a range of up to 35 miles (56 km). The NEV recharges using a standard 120 volt electric outlet in a matter of hours.

The upside (up until now we feel we presented only downsides) is that the cost of operating a ZENN is just over two cents per mile, a fuel efficiency equivalent of up to 280 miles per gallon (0.8l/100 km). In addition, the Zenn LSV doesn't need oil change and doesn't have to meet any emission standards as it has no emission.

So, we have the ZENN (Zero Emissions No Noise) low speed vehicle, with a 35 mile range and hours needed to recharge on one hand, the $10,000 price (hats, shirts and literature included) on the other and a crisis in the middle. Do the math...