How to raise your ZENN NEV's speed limit to 35 - but check the caveats
Almost all NEVs in the U.S. are limited by law (and thus by a setting in the car) to 25 mph. In some areas - Montana, for example - the laws are being changed so that these little commuter cars can go 35 mph. But, just because the law changes doesn't mean that the car magically upgrades its top speed. No, for that we'll need to turn to Electric Cars Are For Girls' upgrade guide, written exclusively for ZENN vehicles.
I'll start the way the guide does: with caveats. Therefore, I must say you should only attempt this if a.) you know what you're doing and b.) it's legal and c.) you've read through all the caveats at ECAFG and understand what you're getting into. OK, that should make the lawyers happy (and stop you from becoming unhappy).
The guide describes a step-by-step method to change the settings to the speed controller. You'll need a laptop (PC, I think), some cables, a free file from ECAFG and a version of the GE Sentry Software ($40). Once you've collected these things, it's a fairly straightforward process of hooking the laptop to the car and changing the settings. The full details are available here.
[Source: Electric Cars Are For Girls]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David Cobin 6:54PM (9/18/2008)
You don't have to change the Zenn top speed from 25 to 35 yourself. In Minnesota, Cushman motors sells Zenns and will have them upgraded after driving a bit at 25. I drive it to work every day. I love it. [EPA equivalent of 245 mpg with no emissions.]
Reply
james 4:10PM (6/26/2009)
Hi David
i think this car is a good step forward but in my area of crowded southern new jersey are very few roads less than 35 mph ... how and where can a car only going 25 safely go in your area or anywhere... nj has dangerous aggressive drivers... in 35 mph zones they go 55... i have seen the new smart small cars here... but i also have seen them not able to stay ahead of aggressive faster traffic ... i commute 13 miles this car would work for me most of the roads i travel are 45 mph and above again how to travel when limited to 25 mph....