Oregon Study Looks At LSV Impact on Transportation Infrastructure & Safety

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Marc Cesare

A report published in December from the Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium (OTREC) investigated the impact of LSVs on transportation infrastructure and safety on Oregon.

The purpose of the research was to determine positive and negative impacts that LSVs, which include Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) and Medium-Speed Electric Vehicles (MSEVs), are likely to have for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and Oregon communities. In addition, the research explores whether adjustments in current state regulations are needed to ensure that LSVs do not negatively impact road safety and traffic operations, or expose the LSV operators to undue risk.

The results of the research included three major recommendations:

The State of Oregon’s regulations for LSVs should be amended such that LSVs are limited to public roadways with a maximum operating speed of 25 mph, and they are restricted to crossing higher-speed roadways at four-way stops or traffic-controlled intersections.

Local transportation authorities should work with LSV users and members of the bicycle community to develop parallel or secondary low-speed transportation networks that connect residential neighborhoods with major activity centers that include education, employment, retail, medical and recreational facilities.

LSV users need to be educated about the safety risks of LSVs, in particular those that have a “car-like” appearance, and the safety risks of modifying the speed regulator on LSVs.

Learn more: Transportation Research Board – OTREC Report

Are Electric LSVs Taking Market Share From Gas UTVs?

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Marc Cesare

While I’ve come across many instances of gas and electric STOVs replacing full-size pickup trucks, I’ve seen fewer stories about electric LSVs replacing gas UTVs but in the past few weeks I came across two. In both cases the electric vehicle offered cost advantages and a better set of features for the end use application.

The first is from Albany, GA where the local police department replaced a 12 year old gas powered Kawasaki Mule with a GEM for use in parking enforcement. Learning from the local US Marine base experience and evaluation, the department estimates that they will save about $6,000 a year in gas, oil change and maintenance expense each year. The GEM also has better features for parking enforcement including an enclosed cab, rear and side mirrors, warning lights, a fan for summer use and a heater for winter use. Learn more: Albanyherald.com

In the second instance, River Falls Municipal Utilities in Wisconsin replaced a John Deere Gator with a Polaris NEV. In this case, they tested the vehicle for several weeks by performing tasks around the wastewater treatment plant. The utility also received a $5,009 grant from Wisconsin Electric Power. Management sees the vehicle being used for both off-road and on-road uses such as driving downtown for supplies or town meetings. A cab enclosure will be purchased in the future to enable year round use. Learn more: Riverfallsjournal.com

Technology News

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Traction Device Patent – I came across a recently awarded patent for a system for improving the traction of ATVs and utility in loose terrain. In brief, a conical structure is attached to the wheels that helps add traction in loose terrain conditions but does not interfere with driving the vehicle in other conditions. US Patent 7,850,252

Drawing Of Loose Terrain Traction Device

Patented Loose Terrain Traction Device Shown on an ATV

Learn more: Full patent at US Patent Office

Wireless Charging System Installed – New Zealand based UniServices Ltd and Ove Arup & Partners, through their UK based subsidiary, HaloIPT, have installed the world’s first wireless charging system for electric vehicles in London. The inductive power technology (IPT) allows vehicles equipped with receiver pads to automatically be charged when parked over transmission pads. The technology is based upon magnetic fields and can work under asphalt, submerged in water or under snow. Management expects to develop roadway embedded systems in the future to charge vehicles while they are moving. Learn more: Voxy.co.nz

New GEMs Launched For 2011

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Chrysler Group Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM) has announced their new product line for 2011. New features for the six model product line include:

An energy monitoring system, which allows drivers to determine the total amount of energy in kilo-watt-hours (kWh) that the GEM vehicle has removed from the grid. By using the trip meter, odometer switch in the vehicle, drivers can view the energy saving information right on the vehicle’s LCD screen. This feature is the first of its kind in the industry and allows drivers to actually see, and quantify, the positive impact that a GEM vehicle makes to the environment.
Also new for 2011 are four vehicle options including:

12” turf tires for off-road applications

Right-hand-drive package that converts the GEM vehicle into the perfect police or security vehicle

Short-bed package that provides a 34” x 48” cargo bed on the GEM e4 four-passenger coupe or the GEM e6 six-passenger shuttle vehicle

Utility tie downs that allow cargo to easily be secured in any of the GEM utility vehicles

Learn more: Chrysler.com (pdf of press release)

Bad Boy Buggies Recall & Acquisition

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Recently acquired Bad Boy Buggies announced a large recall to address ongoing acceleration problems with their Classic model. The recall covers approximately 9,300 vehicles sold from 2003 to 2010 including models involved in a 2009 recall that unsuccessfully attempted to solve the same problem. The vehicles can accelerate without warning and have led to some injuries. Learn more: CPSC.gov

Bad Boy Buggies was acquired by E-Z-Go in October 2010 and now operates as BB Buggies, Inc. Given the extent of the recall and assuming management new the recall was imminent, being acquired may have been the only recourse for the company. For E-Z-Go the vehicle line adds a 4-by-4 electric platform to their extensive product line. In our discussion with executives about the acquisition they remarked that they see potential in the platform beyond its current positioning as primarily a hunting vehicle. In local newspaper reports E-Z-Go management has stated that for now they will be keeping manufacturing facilities in the Natchez, MS but will be analyzing the best course of action in the future. Bad Boy Buggies CEO Skrabo noted the top-notch engineering and manufacturing facilities E-Z-Go brings to the situation. Learn more: Chronicle.augusta.com

Stealth To Unveil New Electric Vehicle At ATA Show

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Stealth 4x4 Utility Vehicle

Stealth Utility Vehicle will be using the Archery Trade Association show this January 6-8 in Indianapolis to introduce their latest electric utility vehicle, the Stealth 4×4. in 2010 Stealth introduced a 64 volt model of their hunting UTV. Learn more: Ammoland.com

Garia LSV In NYC

Posted on December 23, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Street legal Garia on the streets of New York City

Garia recently premiered the street legal version of their luxury golf car in New York City. Pictures and videos show the vehicle as it makes its way from Columbus Circle through Times Square into downtown Manhattan and across the Brooklyn Bridge into Brooklyn. The press release follows below. Learn more: Garia.com

World Premiere: Luxury Golf Cart Goes Street Legal

With the street legal version of The Garia you can take luxury and comfort straight from the green to the street.

Built at the same factory as the Porsche Boxster and Cayman and with luxury features such as a super-car inspired steering wheel, a built-in refrigerator and hand-stitched seats, The Garia is the ultimate machine in its class.

Now, The Garia LSV*, a street legal version of The Garia, lets you drive directly from the golf course to the streets. Fitted with street legal safety equipment such as seatbelts, side mirrors and reflectors, The Garia LSV will take you straight from your home to the golf course, tennis club, grocery store or your favorite cafe.

With a 25 mph top speed, The Garia LSV features a double wishbone front suspension, automotive style shocks and springs and a unique digital instrument cluster with all relevant driver information.

Superb handling and stability, extra storage space and a comfortable car-like driving position simply makes The Garia LSV ideal for your short, daily commutes.

The Garia LSV features a drive train built by an Italian company that also produces Ducati gearboxes, and its components are made by the same company that supplies Aston Martin, Jaguar, and Volvo.

With automotive features unseen in the golf cart industry The Garia LSV has – as the first golf cart ever – entered the automotive league and earned its right to be called a car as opposed to a cart.

For videos of The Garia LSV in the perfect city scene, New York City, please visit www.garia.com

Low Speed Vehicle News

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Marc Cesare

DOT Proposes Rear Visibility Rule – The US Department of Transportation recently proposed a new safety regulation to help eliminate blind zones behind vehicles that can hide the presence of pedestrians. Issued by NHTSA, the new regulation would apply to all passenger cars, pickup trucks, minivans, buses and low-speed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 10,000 pounds. NHTSA believes manufacturers will install rear mounted video cameras and in-vehicle displays to meet the proposed standards. Learn more: DOT.gov

US Navy LSV Sales – According to information from the US Navy, to date they have replaced 900 non-tactical vehicles in their fleet with low-speed vehicles. The purchases are part of their overall alternative fuel vehicle program to convert a large portion of their non-tactical fleet of vehicles, which numbers over 46,000, to various alternative fuels. Learn more: Greenfleet.dodlive.mil

Cruise Car To Exhibit LSVs At World Energy Engineering Congress – This week Crusie Car will be exhibiting their All American Solar Electric LSV at the World Energy Engineering Congress being held in Washington DC. Learn more: Benzinga.com

Nissan Planning A Small Urban Vehicle

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Nissan New Mobility Concept

Nissan recently announced that they are planning on introducing three additional electric vehicles besides the Leaf in the next three years. One will be a small urban vehicle, referred to as the New Mobility Concept. It is not known at this time what the performance parameters of the vehicle will be. While the New Mobility Concept looks very much like a low speed vehicle, Nissan could design the vehicle to have a higher top speed than currently allowed for LSVs. According to Nissan the vehicle could be the ideal last mile transportation solution for commuters connecting to public transit or for residents of planned communities.

Nissan’s entry into the LSV market would be an important event in the market since major auto manufacturers have not been active in the market, except for Chrysler which has operated under the GEM not Chrysler brand. Earlier forays into the previously labeled NEV market by the majors was essentially only to meet California ZEV mandates. Nissan’s move appears to be part of a strategic plan to develop a robust electric vehicle product line. Their market entry could also create more demand for NHTSA to develop a medium speed vehicle classification. Learn more: Reviews.cnet.com

UTV Reviews From The UK

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Marc Cesare

UK-based Pitchcare magazine, which focuses on the turf care industry, recently put 11 utility vehicles from 9 manufacturers to the test. The testing ground was a sports facility with rugby, field hockey, polo and cricket fields, so meeting user needs was definitely in the context of the turf care environment. The article discusses a number of aspects relating to cargo beds including ability to handle loads on pallets, powered dumping ability and the shift to moulded plastic beds. Other issues include driver comfort and usability, noise, the pros and cons of electric UTVs and tire choices.

The reviewers rated the Kubota RTV 900 the highest followed by the Polaris Ranger Diesel and the Toro Workman MDX to round out the top three. The UTVs were scored on the following parameters: First impressions, Layout/Comfort, Ride, Noise, Visibility/Access, Power/Efficiency, Service access, Equipment levels, Safety features, Build quality, and Load box/Towing. Learn more: Pitchcare.com

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