I first saw the Peapod yesterday during a bout of web surfing. I thought these vehicles were very intriguing as the tag line on the manufacturer's page said:

no gas. no emissions. lots of love. (and there is a green heart where the "o" is in love)

This tag line is enough to drive many people to read about the vehicle; so that is exactly what I did. At first glance these vehicles remind me of the Smart Car and other autos we are seeing in the move towards greener cars (and products in general). Though I consider myself an environmentalist I do not jump on every bandwagon. I make a conscious effort to try to determine the carbon emissions used by a traditional vehicle of comparable size versus the carbon emissions generated by the power plant to supply the electricity necessary to recharge the power supply of electric vehicles.

As for the Peapod, it is a fully electric vehicle. It comes in several variations, the Peapod which seats four, the Twinpod which seats two, and the Utility pod which is some type of SUV version. Further reading indicates that they can reach top speeds of 25 mph and is an approved NEV. Wait, a what? In the advertising these vehicles are shown on regular streets with yellow cabs in the background. What is this about not being approved for regular streets? I get it; these "N"eighborhood "E"lectric "V"ehicles are like tricked out golf carts that cost between $10k and $12k. Slick marketers, I thought these were environmentally conscious cars!

So I ask again, have you seen these in your area? Apparently 60,000 of these have been sold mainly in self-contained neighborhoods, retirement and golf communities. I understand vehicles such as these to help people who have difficulties with mobility. Are these NEVs are an example of a manufacturer taking advantage of the eco-consciousness that has arisen in the past few years? Wouldn't it be more eco-friendly to simply walk around your neighborhood or participate in the walking aspect of golf? These vehicles may not directly have carbon emissions but they require power that comes from a power plant that produces carbon emissions.

HERE is a review with lots of information on the Peapod and the future of NEVs by Edmunds.com, and independent auto industry consumer advisor.