A Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) is an American term for a speed limited battery electric vehicle (25-35 miles per hour in the U.S.A., this is 40-56 km/h+, as Low-Speed Electric Vehicles, or LSEVs, and Medium-Speed Electric Vehicles, or MSEVs) restricted by law to operation on roads with speed limits not exceeding 35-45 mph (56-72 km/h).[1][2] These speed restrictions, combined with a typical driving range of 30 miles (48 km) per charge and a typical three-year battery durability, are required because of a lack of federally mandated safety equipment and features which NEV's can not accommodate because of their design. To satisfy requirements for operation on streets, NEVs are equipped with three-point seat belts, windshields and windshield wipers, running lights, headlights, brake lights, reflectors, rear view mirrors, and turn signals. They must be licensed, and the driver must be licensed. Because airbags are not required the NEV cannot travel on highways or freeways.
In many cases, doors may be optional, crash protection from other vehicles
is partially met compared to other non motorized transport such as bicycles
because of the use of seat belts. Some makers are starting to use doors and
steel impact beams, and aluminium foam may be used to absorb energy without
increasing the weight.
Texas' law on Low Speed Vehicles
http://www.txdot.gov/services/vehicle_titles_and_registration/golf_carts.htm