Julie Conigliaro still isn’t used to being the center of attention, but when she drives around town, people stop and stare.
People also laugh, point and slow down in their cars to get a better look.
“I even had a woman follow me home,” Conigliaro said.
She’s attracting attention because of her car: a Zenn (Zero Emissions No Noise) Motors Neighborhood Electric Vehicle.
Conigliaro had arranged to take possession of the car on the night of Tuesday, May 6, immediately following the Racine Common Council’s approval of an ordinance to permit the vehicles to be operated in the city.
The ordinance allows for the vehicles to be driven on city streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less. The council vote was unanimous.
The state Department of Transportation this year decided to let communities decide whether they want to permit the Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. There are now more than 37 communities, including the City of Milwaukee, that allow NEVs.
Conigliaro paid $10,500 for her sporty silver car, which she got from Green Autos in Janesville. The vehicles range from $8,000 to $13,000, depending on how many extras buyers want. Conigliaro’s car has a radio and a heater.
“All I wanted was a heater and wheels, so this did turn out to be a luxury model,” she said.
The NEV will travel up to 35 miles on a full charge of its lead-acid batteries. It plugs into a standard household electric outlet and can be 80% recharged in four hours or fully charged in about eight hours.
Her NEV takes the place of an old beater car she had driven around town, whether it be the four miles to work or to run errands. She has an SUV, an Envoy, for longer trips.
