That's 5 kW @ 48 V, so it would be higher (possible as much as 10 kW) @ 96 V... but still not much for anything that would be called a "car" these days. In referring to automotive use, they're probably thinking of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (quadricycles in Europe, such as the Renault Twizy)... like golf carts but for low-speed road use.
It is made in Italy so it probably was originally for something like that. I wish there were more vehicles like that here, I literally drive 1 mile to work now and just need something small and economical. For the summer I have a 49cc bicycle conversion to ride.
Not many people in North America only drive within their neighborhoods, so low-speed road vehicles are not very useful and thus not common... outside of some retirement communities and recreational vehicle parks. But they exist - the GEM mentioned above is a good example (and has even had a recent update - I didn't realize they were even still in production until searched for that link).
Well walking at 5am on back roads with no shoulders or sidewalk doesn’t really feel too safe for me. That’s why my cycle stays at home after the days get short. Even with led lights on it I don’t trust drivers that early in the morning.Not many people in North America only drive within their neighborhoods, so low-speed road vehicles are not very useful and thus not common... outside of some retirement communities and recreational vehicle parks. But they exist - the GEM mentioned above is a good example (and has even had a recent update - I didn't realize they were even still in production until searched for that link).
I literally walked a mile each way to and from school when I was in kindergarten, and now I walk my dog further than that at least twice a day, every day. North Americans unwilling to walk that distance generally prefer to use 400 horsepower all-wheel-drive three-ton vehicles.
Depending on specifically what "back roads" means, a GEM might not be legal. Details vary by jurisdiction (state), but generally low-speed vehicles are only legal for road use where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less, and a rural road typically has a higher limit. The same logic should apply to any homebuilt motor vehicle - if it can't safely keep up with traffic, it shouldn't be allowed on the road.
