I received a call today from another insurance agent looking to find an insurance company that would insure a Corbin Sparrow. I had never heard of the thing, so I quickly plopped the term into Google and was surprised at what I saw, a one passenger electric vehicle that appears to be a cross between a motorcycle and a car. It can go 60+ miles on a single charge, can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, and I even saw a photo of it burning rubber!

The web site for the Corbin Sparrow was down but I found a competitor, the NmG by Myers Motors. NmG stands for ‘No more gas’.

“The NmG fits the way Americans use their cars,” said Myers. “Research shows that 87 percent of all commutes are less than 20 miles and 93 percent of those commutes are with one person only in the vehicle.” Also, buying an electric vehicle encourages forward-thinking technologies and using electric powered vehicles can reduce our country’s dependence on off-shore oil and alleviate the problems associated with that dependence, according to Myers.

If your electricity costs you 11 cents per kilowatt, then you will pay about 55 cents to fill up. So, if you get 60 miles to the ‘tank’ it is costing you a penny a mile to drive! 20mpg at $2.50 per gallon works to about 12.5 cents per mile. Plus no oil changes!

They cost about $25,000 which is more than I have set aside right now for a commute-only vehicle. But if I was looking at spending money on a new motorcycle this would give me year-round economy plus a 6-cubic-foot trunk and heater.

From the NmG FAQ:

Is it a car? Is it a motorcycle? What exactly is a Myers Motors NmG?

The NmG is America’s only all-electric, highway-legal, personal vehicle with a maximum speed of 70 mph costing under $25,000. The NmG is a fully enclosed, single passenger vehicle with two front wheels and a single drive wheel in the rear. While it drives like a spunky car with a low center of gravity, the NmG is considered by the U.S. Department of Transportation to be a motorcycle. We call it a PEV, or Personal Electric Vehicle, since it transports only the driver and the labels “car” and “motorcycle” do not fit perfectly.

Why Drive an NmG?

Because it is a blast to drive! We dare you to drive the NmG and try not to smile! On-lookers will be smiling, too. And the world needs more smiling faces, especially when you can be environmentally intelligent while having fun. In addition to the thrill of driving an NmG, saving money makes people smile! Imagine paying $0.55 for solar or home grown energy to transport yourself 30 miles while others on the road are burning up foreign oil costing 4 or more times that amount for their local trips!

How do I energize my NmG? How long does it take?

When you are not enjoying driving your NmG, take the provided extension cord and plug it into any 110 volt, 20 amp service outlet. If the batteries are discharged 80 percent, the energizing will be completed in 6 to 8 hours–enough time for you to get a good night’s sleep or a full day at work if you are recharging for the trip home. 220-volt service will accomplish the same task in 4 to 6 hours.

How far will my fully energized NmG take me?

As far as you want to go … as long it is not farther than 25 to 30 miles. This is about the distance typical people drive their car every day. If you want to drive it to work and you have a nice boss who wants to help out the environment by allowing you to charge up while you are working, then you can double the practical mileage by recharging it while you work. You may want to give him that $0.02 per mile for the extra electricity cost he is going to incur, though.

Tell me more about the batteries.

The NmG has thirteen 12-volt batteries wired in series to create a 156-volt nominal system. This is known as the battery pack. Six of the batteries are located under the hood and seven batteries are located under the driver’s seat. Despite the physical separation, the batteries are electrically connected. The batteries are Optima Spiracell, valve regulated lead acid (VRLA). They are absorbed glass mat (AGM) type, not a gel type. This type and brand of battery was carefully chosen to provide maximum power, low self discharge and fast and efficient recharge. They are completely sealed and require no maintenance.

Can I really save time driving the NmG ?

Because the NmG is “fully occupied” with one driver, it can be legally operated in the HOV, or carpool, lanes (check your local regulations). Other NmG drivers save time because ferry operators allow them be the last on and the first off at the ferry. And, with its ability to charge up either while you are at work or asleep, a person can save time by eliminating trips to the gas station.

How safe is the NmG?

Having been called the SUV of motorcycles, the three wheeled NmG has obvious stability advantages over a two wheel motorcycle. The occupant of the NmG is enclosed in a layered, composite structure and protected further through use of a 3-point shoulder safety harness. It has a steering wheel and foot pedals like a car for ease of use, although it is not a car and it does not meet car crash standards. The NmG PEV does meet the DOT safety standards required for motorcycles and three wheelers.

Do I need a special driver’s license?

No. While most States require motorcycle plates for the NmG, they will not allow a person to take a motorcycle test to operate the vehicle; a car driver’s license has proven to be sufficient.

What about warranty and service work?

The NmG, with its one year limited warranty, can be repaired for warranty or service work at Myers Motors’ facility in Tallmadge, Ohio. For NmG’s outside the service area of Tallmadge, Ohio, Myers Motors has found it extremely easy to find qualified, established, repair facilities to perform any necessary work. Myers Motors will find a facility for your vehicle to be serviced should that need arise. Myers Motors can establish this before or after you take delivery of your vehicle.