NUTS & BOLTS

The bottom line: The Wheego Whip LSV, a world-sourced electric car with 33 percent of its parts from North America and with final assembly in Ontario, Canada, marks a beginning. It is among the first of what will be a wide range of electric vehicles with varied capabilities -- including entry-level, low-speed neighborhood cars, such as the Wheego and Chrysler's GEM automobiles; mid-range, highway-capable models, such as the forthcoming Chevrolet Volt, Ford Focus Electric and Nissan Leaf; upscale performance models, such as the Fisker Karma and the Tesla; and commercial delivery models, such as those being developed by Smith Electric Vehicles of Kansas City, Mo. We look forward to driving them all.

Ride, acceleration and handling of the Wheego Whip LSV: The ride is bouncy. "Acceleration" is a euphemism here. This car is slow. Handling is decent (on straight, well-maintained roads) to tedious (in curves and on poorly maintained roads).

Head-turning quotient: It is an alien presence on local roads, attracting attention for all of the wrong and right reasons.

Body style/layout: The 2010 Wheego Whip LSV is an all-electric, subcompact, front-wheel-drive, low-speed neighborhood vehicle with two side doors, a key-operated rear hatch door, and a lead-acid battery pack beneath the rear floor.

Propulsion system: The power pack consists of 12 8-volt lead-acid batteries for a total of 96 volts. The batteries supply energy to an alternating current, brushless motor (type: AC41). Equivalent peak horsepower is 40 horsepower at a maximum 3,200 rotations per minute. Maximum torque is 110 foot-pounds. There is no transmission per se. Instead, the electric motor is mated to a forward-reverse shifter that operates the car as if it were in permanent second gear.

Capacities: There are seats for two people and cargo room for a week's worth of groceries for driver and occupant.

Range: Real-world range is 40 miles driving distance per full charge. Range could be extended to 50 or 55 miles under ideal conditions -- good roads; driving under 25 miles per hour; not using the heater, air conditioner or radio. Range is negatively affected by increased speed, uphill driving, onboard weight, cold weather, fast starts and stops.

Plug-in: A full charge takes eight hours using regular house current -- 115 to 120 volts.

Safety: As matters now stand, neighborhood low-speed electric vehicles are not required to have air bags or roll-over crash protection. They do have seat belts. Use them!

Price: The base price of the 2010 Wheego Whip LSV is $18,995. Estimated dealer's invoice price on that model is $17,000. Price as tested is $22,785, including $1,995 for air conditioner, $795 for a dual charger device, and a $1,000 destination fee. Estimated dealer's price as tested is $20,785. A federal rebate of $7,500 applies to the purchase of this car, reducing its effective price to $15,285. Prices are sourced from Wheego.

Thanks: To the Smart Wheels Division of the Ted Britt Automotive Group in Fairfax, which gave me no-strings-attached access to the car.