What does NEV mean?

I see it and I saw it but have never been able to find out what NEV means? I get the EV part.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicle.

It's a designation used here in the US to define a low speed electric vehicle (also known as an LSEV) - these vehicles are limited to roads with a speed limit of no more than 35mph. They don't have to undergo the same crash testing as cars.

Personally I see that 35mph limit as too restrictive to make these vehicles very useful in the average environment. They're often pitched as urban vehicles however many urban areas have roads with >35mph speed limits that are key to most commutes.

NEV's are often pitched at gated communities. However, interestingly enough I heard that many retirement communities consider them "too fast".

I think the NEV is a good idea that is ahead of it's time and it requires Urban Planners to catch up with the concept. Just my 2 cents worth.