Quick Spin: Myers Motors NmG - redefining fast and small for the future
by Sebastian Blanco on Oct 25th 2009 at 6:04PM 
Meyers Motors NmG - Click above for high-res image gallery
It's ironic that the NmG we got to take for a spin during the Business of Plugging In conference in Detroit last week might be the last one-seater that Myers Motors ever makes. The company is getting ready to focus on building the NMG2, a wider, more practical version of the easily-identifiable all-electric NmG. Since the lime-green NmG we got to cruise around the parking lot in was fresh off the assembly line, we figure it's helpful to use this vehicle to understand as much as we can about the company's next vehicle. Follow us past the jump to find out what scooting around in an NmG is like.
Gallery: Meyers Motors NMG
Despite its small size, the NmG – which stands for No More Gas – is not an NEV. This is a highway-speed vehicle we're talking about here, kind of like an enclosed motorcycle (in fact, in some states, a motorcycle license is required to drive the NmG). We didn't get to try out the 75-mph top speed on the parking lot course that was set up as a test course, but we did punch the go pedal as hard as we could on the short straightaways. Zip, is what this vehicle has, and in spades. The punchiness comes from the 140 ft. lbs of torque, which is more than enough for a little trike of this size. Everyone who took the car our for a test drive did pretty much what we did: get the NmG going as fast as possible on the limited course and step out with a smile.
Speaking of getting out of the trike, that's when we noticed that the cabin is small, perhaps a little too small. We managed to bang our head getting out of the NmG. During the drive, though, the cramped space wasn't much on our minds, as we were trying to keep our hands smoothly handling the bus-like wheel (it felt a lot more horizontal than it looks). The steering wheel is adjustable, though, so perhaps it'll feel more comfortable for others than it was for us. The dash is not easy or hard to see; it's just sort of there. This is a good thing.
While we didn't test out the NmG's charging set-up, it seems on par with other vehicles that use lithium-Ion batteries. The NmG's onboard battery charger can recharge the pack in about 8-10 hours from a 110V outlet or in 2-3 from a dedicated 220V plug. Myers is quick to point out other benefits of this small vehicle, like HOV lane access and the cheap operating costs.
NmG as a remake of the Corbin Motors Sparrow EV, but one thing that Myers was not able to improve was the rear visibility. There are mirrors, but even with them it's almost an act of faith to put the NmG into reverse. Thankfully, the car is tiny – only 112 inches long and 52 inches wide – so it's hard to hit anything. If you back up slow enough, it should be all right. In warm weather, it's possible to stick your head out of the window in the door (which is only on the "passenger" side) but we don't think it's a lot of fun to do repeatedly in the cold or rain.
Over three years ago, we paid a visit to the Myers Motors facility, and discovered then what we rediscovered now: this is a fun little car. It's not cheap, starting at $29,995, but it it bodes well for the upcoming two-seat version. For about the same price, the NmG2 (or whatever it's called when the naming contest picks a winner) will offer a 60-mile range (Myers says the NmG gets around 45) and twice the seats. This is what we call a huge improvement. Myers will also offer a 100-mile version of the two-seater. Production of the new vehicle should start about a year from now. Once available, it's possible that Myers will get the odd request for another single-seat model, but if they can deliver a much more user-friendly vehicle for the same price, why would anyone not opt for that model?
Over three years ago, we paid a visit to the Myers Motors facility, and discovered then what we rediscovered now: this is a fun little car. It's not cheap, starting at $29,995, but it it bodes well for the upcoming two-seat version. For about the same price, the NmG2 (or whatever it's called when the naming contest picks a winner) will offer a 60-mile range (Myers says the NmG gets around 45) and twice the seats. This is what we call a huge improvement. Myers will also offer a 100-mile version of the two-seater. Production of the new vehicle should start about a year from now. Once available, it's possible that Myers will get the odd request for another single-seat model, but if they can deliver a much more user-friendly vehicle for the same price, why would anyone not opt for that model?
Overall, this is a fun little vehicle, and we're excited that the Corbin-Myers experience isn't going to end anytime soon. With lessons learned from making the NmG, we have to admit we have high hopes for the upgraded two-seater. We know the design isn't for everyone, but it's certainly worth looking into when it becomes available.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DasBoese 8:38PM (10/25/2009)
I wonder if this will become a cult classic in a few decades, just like quirky cars of the past that have been looked down upon in their time, like the Messerschmitt KaRo, BMW Isetta etc. have found a cult following.
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Chris 9:17PM (10/25/2009)
Are we supposed to take this crap seriously? We need electric/hydrogen/cng cars NOW! This should not even be on ABG.
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mark 9:49PM (10/25/2009)
I agree chris , what is this piece doing here on ABG, the NMG is just the old Corbin Sparrow on life support. This is an over priced novelty EV that has seen its time, period. Stop trying to prop it up and lets move EVs forward not backward. Ex Sparrow owner.
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NmGfan 3:00PM (10/26/2009)
Right, move forward onto a waiting list for something superior that might become available in a few years if the company can follow through by then.
Yanquetino 11:39PM (10/25/2009)
What...? Don't any of you remember the "troll doll" fetish of the past? So ugly they were cute? Let's see what the two-passenger model will offer before we heat the tar and pluck the chickens, shall we?
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mark 1:47AM (10/26/2009)
As far as the widened model, I would guess it is the same or similar old dc belt drive with new batteries and no regen braking, a bit sad for the target price of close to $30K. Unless it's an AC system and they have much better range the price is far to high and the far more advanced Aptera will make it obsolete, that is if either produce any. Thumbs up to Myers for trying twice but I don't see it happening, not even the second time. Time will tell and this article seems to be several years late. What next, a feature article on the Ford Ranger EV:)
xyz 1:51AM (10/26/2009)
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.... I guess not many of them around.
Did I mention "ugly"? It is definitely not advancing the promotion of EV's.
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georgeB 2:27AM (10/26/2009)
Where to start...
* As I recall, the Sparrow was about ten grand, this one is thirty. I seriously doubt they improved it that much.
* A Hyundai Accent (for example) is about a third of the price of the lot, and very economical to run. Even paying cash up front (no interest to calculate) 18 thou or so saved pays for a lot of gas. Never mind comparing with a USED four-pot... A ten-year old Miata will beat this in every conceivable way.
* I don't find this thing ugly, but it sure is impractical. No room for a week's groceries, no passenger, no rear visibility, limited range, no dealer network. I don't see too many buyers unless they could SOMEHOW sell them at 5-7 grand a pop, maybe to compete with high end scooters and such.
I want EVs to succeed, but they have to do it without such a huge penalty to the early adopters.
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NmGfan 2:33PM (10/26/2009)
I drive an NmG as my daily driver for over two years now, that's about 8,000 miles without one drop of gasoline (Hyundai can't move without the stuff). I paid $25K for it, $1K upon ordering, and 85 days later $24K when the truck left the factory in Ohio to deliver it to my driveway in the Bay Area of California. One thing for sure, demonstrating one's ignorance is easy to do when making statements that one has NO experience with. My wife has gone shopping with the NmG many times and yes the entire six bags of groceries and two twelve packs fit right in, everytime. Rather than wait for hypothetically available state of the art vehicles that have yet to materialize or vehicles that cost as much as a house, I bought something that met my needs and was readily available. Keep waiting something better will materialize some day...
georgeB 2:31AM (10/26/2009)
sorry that shoud read "off the lot"
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pierrerabbit 8:16AM (10/26/2009)
Is this the same car used in Austin Powers Goldmember?
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Tony Belding 8:46AM (10/26/2009)
I'm not sure I understand all the hate for it. . . .
Yes, it seems overpriced, but apparently a few people have been buying them, enough that the company is still going after several years of operation. Can't really complain about that.
If you want to buy a new, enclosed, highway-speed EV now, not next year, then what are your options? Seems like Tesla or NmG is about it. And if you want one with no waiting, or one for less than $100K, then the NmG is it.
I'm glad ABG gave us an update and a closer look at it. I'd rather see this kind of report, rather than yet another rumor about some vaporware EV that some car company might considering making some number of years from now.
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Chris 11:04AM (10/26/2009)
I dislike electric vehicles to begin with but I know they will be needed to reduce the amount of gasoline and diesel we use. So when you have JUNK like this and the other NEV junk on the market(Zenn, Chinese crap) it just keeps lowering the opinion of electric vehicles as slow golf carts to the public. I see why now.
NmGfan 2:37PM (10/26/2009)
Chris, you clearly are uninformed, I drive my '07 NmG on the freeway everyday, it is not a NEV. But you did state your bias right up front...
NeilBlanchard 9:08AM (10/26/2009)
Hi,
If I recall correctly, the single seat version has a DC motor with belt drive on the rear wheel -- so NO regenerative braking. What does the 2-seat version have?
The Aptera 2e is orders of magnitude better than this vehicle, and costs less, too.
Sincerely, Neil
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NmGfan 2:55PM (10/26/2009)
In theory, yes Aptera should be superior. But so should a lot of other announced but not yet available EV's. By the time anyone can buy one of those I will have been on the road for over three years by then, catch me if you can...
Mark Kiernan 9:37AM (10/26/2009)
I don't understand how a "car" like this can cost so much. Does anyone really consider this a car when for the same price you could buy an Aptera or for an extra 20k you could have the Model S.
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Matt234 10:46AM (10/26/2009)
Not saying this NmG is a good deal, but... where exactly can I buy an Aptera or Model S? Myers Motors are in business because they can sell this "car" to you Today.
NmGfan 2:50PM (10/26/2009)
It costs this much because it is built to order, not mass produced on an assembly line. Another huge penalty is that it was not designed for manufacturability, more like a kit in that there are about 300 man hours required for assembly.
Jankdc 1:57PM (10/26/2009)
What's with the hate? These guys have been producing electric vehicles before Tesla was announced. You can buy one today. Sure they are expensive, but not as expensive as a Tesla (the only other in production covered electric vehicle able to go on the highway). As much as we all love to drool over the Aptera or the Model S, we can't buy them now.
I am more interested in this than the VW Polo or the endless Prius articles. But that is just me. I skip what I don't want to read.
Thank you for putting this article here and keep us posted the new NMG2.
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