Polaris Introduces All-New GEM Lineup For 2016

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Marc Cesare

The all new 2016 GEM e2.

The 2016 GEM e2 with an enclosed cargo box.

The 2016 GEM eL XD with an enclosed rear cargo area.

Polaris Industries has announced an all new GEM lineup of vehicles for model year 2016. According to John Stockman, GEM director at Polaris. “The all-new GEM takes what our customers already love about these vehicles and improves the ergonomics, ride and range. We’ve also added more comfort and safety features to provide an even better experience for both rider and driver, with the added benefit of just $.03 per mile cost of ownership.” Some of key features for the all new GEM include:

Aluminum chassis that passes SAE roof-crush-test standards
Front-wheel disc brakes
Automotive style suspension
High-back forward-facing seats
3-point seat belts
Automotive glass windshield
LED signal lights
Optional RiderX app provides free access to road maps
Smart Power which matches the power to the task with the ability to choose the best combination of battery and charge options.
Optional Li-ion battery
The eL XD model offers a recessed bed option to lower loading height and maximize hauling capability, and a tailgate ramp.

There are seven models in the product line. There are three passenger vehicles, the e2, e4 and e6, as well as four utility vehicles, the eL XD, eM 1400, eM 1400 LSV and the Polaris M1400. The Polaris M1400 is a gas powered vehicle. Pricing starts at $8,999 for the GEM e2 and increases to $12,999 for the GEM eL XD. A range of factory installed options are available including but not limited to in-windshield defrost, electronic power steering, integrated doors and a full range of rear carrier options. Learn more: Polaris.com

Comment: I spoke with a GEM dealer who has some limited knowledge of the vehicles at this point and he gave me his first impressions:

The redesigned doors are the most significant improvement, addressing hardware problems, water intrusion, ease of entry/exit, line of sight issues and lack of availability for 6 passenger models.
The redesigned interior addresses driver comfort issues with more legroom and headroom.
The new AGM and Lithium ion battery options are a significant improvement and allow for better matching of batteries to vehicle application.
The additional options for the popular eL XD model will allow for more customization for the wide variety of uses for which customers currently use the vehicle.

Road Use Regulation Roundup – October 2015

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Marc Cesare

The following is a summary of some of the road use regulations for golf cars, LSVs, ATVs and UTVs that has been passed or is being considered at the state, county and city levels since July 2015. Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

Many of the ordinances cover the use of golf cars, UTVs and ATVs on public roads while others only involve UTVs and ATVs. Few involve LSVs or NEVs.
In many instances the impetus for the regulations started with local residents approaching local council members or city managers.
Regulatory activity is happening primarily at the town or city level, but there is some action at the county and state or provincial level as well.
While most of the regulations are in favor of allowing public road use, there is still some resistance from those with safety concerns.

Parsons, KS – The local police chief is pushing for a change in utility vehicle registration rules because of safety concerns arising from utility vehicles being used on local roads. Vehicles such as the Polaris Razor are considered by city staff as worksite utility vehicles, which are legal under an ordinance approved in 2009 as long as they are tagged by the police department after passing a safety inspection. Utility vehicles have been seen on roads where they are not allowed.

Gallipolis, OH – Increased interest in golf cars from residents is driving the city commission to discuss their use on city streets. The city manager notes that they have to be registered to be used on the streets and need turn signals, headlights, brake lights, a license plate, and rear view mirrors.

Houston, TX – The city of Houston passed an ordinance allowing the use of golf cars and utility vehicles on city streets as long as the driver is licensed and insured and the vehicle is registered with the police.

New Braunfels, TX – Driven by increased resident interest and use, the city council is looking at the legality of using golf cars on local streets for trips beyond going to and from golf courses. They are also looking on which streets can golf cars and NEVs be legally driven.

Lynchburg, VA – Local colleges presented a draft ordinance to the city government that would allow the colleges to drive golf cars and utility vehicles on certain local roads near their campuses. There are some safety concerns being raised by council members.

Chillicothe, IL – The city council, in response to a petition, is considering the use of UTVs on public roads but there is significant opposition on the council because of concerns about safety and what type of vehicles would be included by an ordinance. The town already allows golf cars but some feel the regulations are not clear on what is lawful or not.

Osawatomie, KS – The city council is considering an ordinance allowing golf cars and special-purpose vehicles such as UTVs, ATVs and micro-trucks on city streets. Golf carts would be limited to daylight hours, and ATVs would be required to be equipped with lights and reflectors as required for motorcycles. Work-site utility vehicles also would be required to be equipped with lights and reflectors as required for motor vehicles.

Benton County, IA – County supervisors are considering an ordinance that would allow UTVs and ATVs on certain county roads. The rule would set a 40-mph speed limit, require both the drivers and the vehicles to be properly licensed, and prohibit anyone from under age 16 from using county roadways.

Clay County, IA – County supervisors have passed an ordinance that would allow the use of ATVs and UTVs on county roads. Residents who would like to use their all-terrain and off-road utility vehicles on county roads must have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and have their vehicle registered with the Department of Natural Resources through the Clay County recorder.

Surprise, AZ – The city is reconsidering their plans to have NEV and bike lanes on Bullard Avenue. The four-lane stretch of road was reduced to two and the other two lanes were used to create a combination of bicycle and NEV lanes, in part to create traffic calming for the three school zones along the road. However, backlash from residents has the city rethinking the plan.

Wasaga Beach, Ontario – The city council has passed an ordinance allowing ATVs and UTVs to be driven on the shoulder of municipal roads from April through November. Riders will have to be insured, helmeted and have a licensed vehicle. The speed limit will be 20 km/hr for the vehicles and they cannot be driven on the beach.

Nashville, TN – A lawsuit stemming from a golf car overturning is prompting the local licensing commission to review the safety of low-speed vehicles. The golf car belonged to the Joyride taxi service and the driver had two prior DUIs and numerous traffic violations.

Milford Village, IL – The village board voted to ban golf cars and low speed vehicles within town limits.

Quebec, Canada – The provincial government wants to allow LSVs on public roads as part of a five year plan to have 100,000 electric and hybrid vehicles on the road by 2020.

Des Moines, IA – The Des Moine Register published an editorial against allowing ATVs and UTVs to be used on public roadways. Pointing to on-road crash statistics for the vehicles as well as statements from a number of safety related organizations, the editorial takes the position that the vehicles are unsafe when operated on local roads. The editorial is in response to a growing number of laws at the municipal level that allow ATV use on roads. Similar legislation at the state level has failed to pass.

Cenntro Automotive To Display Electric Utility Vehicle At Auto Show

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Marc Cesare

The new Metro compact utility vehicle from Cenntro Automotive.

Cenntro Automotive will showcase its METRO™, electric utility vehicle at the Orange County International Auto Show held in Anaheim, CA from October 15 – 18. Launched earlier this year, the Metro, which the company refers to as a Compact Utility Vehicle (CUV) is similar to mini-truck and manufactured in Sparks, NV.

The electric powered vehicle features Cenntro’s own Cenntro Power powertrain, has a range of up to 50 miles, a top speed of 25 mph and payload capacity of 1,400 lbs. The Metro’s modular design allows for six different cargo area configurations for a range of end use applications including van box, refrigerated unit, grille enclosure, tarpaulin enclosure, tilting flatbed, and fixed flatbed with sideboards. Some of the key markets for the company are the US, European Union and China and targeted end use applications include city service and delivery, campus maintenance and park services. The US version of the Metro uses a lead acid battery pack while the European version uses a lithium battery pack and has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of approximately 124 miles. Currently, the vehicles appear to be sold directly by the company rather than dealers. Learn more: PRnewswire.com

Tampa Considers LSV “Taxis” For Downtown

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Marc Cesare

A 6-seat LSV like the GEM pictured would be used in Tampa’s pilot program.

The Tampa Downtown Partnership is considering a pilot program to use LSVs for short trips in the downtown area. The rides would be free and designed to plug a hole in the public transportation system, namely the lack of transit options downtown and moving people between their homes and the nearest public transportation. The program would start with four six-seat electric LSVs that could be called via a smartphone app or a dispatcher. A recently awarded Federal grant will likely provide the funding for the project. The plan is not expected to generate much opposition from local taxi drivers because the rides are so short and not desirable from a taxi driver’s point of view. The pilot program is part of an overall effort to improve Tampa’s transportation options including recently adding a rental bike fleet and pushing to expand the streetcar system. The Partnership is a non-profit agency that contracts with Tampa to attract and retain businesses in the city’s downtown and Channelside areas. Learn more: TBO.com

Comment: LSV fleets for downtown transportation is becoming a growing market, whether it is provided by for-profit companies or non-profit groups trying to improve the local business environment. Some sell ad space on the vehicles to offset costs or turn a profit. However, there can be resistance from local taxi driver associations depending on the scope of the services provided, and in some cities there may not be any regulations in place for this type of service.

What’s Cooking on the STOV: Ordinance Enforcement & Off-Road Emergency Response

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Marc Cesare

Highlighting some of the many applications for Small, Task-Oriented Vehicles

One of the GEMs being used by local police for ordinance enforcement. Photo: Kendra Peek

Ordinance Enforcement: In Lancaster, KY the local police department received a donation of two military surplus GEM vehicles from the US Defense Department. They are putting the vehicles to use to patrol for ordinance violations and for use at community events. While not appropriate for instances where they need to transport someone who has been arrested, the vehicles have so far been a good fit for their current tasks. The police chief finds the GEM vehicles make officers more approachable when interacting with the public. Other positives include less pollution and lower fuel costs. The chief estimates that fuel savings for the year will be about $3,000 when compared to a full-size patrol vehicle. The vehicle’s low traveling speed is not an issue since most of the small town’s roads have speed limits of 30 mph or less. They will assess the vehicles after a year but are already looking for a larger electric vehicle to pilot test, one that is more truck like and could haul barricades, signs and other items. Learn more: Centralkynews.com

The recently acquired Polaris Ranger for use in off-road emergency response.

Off-Road Emergency Response: In Mokena, IL the local fire department used a grant to purchase a Polaris Ranger for emergency response in difficult to access areas. The Mokena Fire Protection District includes 2,000 acres of forest preserves as well as some trails and 15 parks. The six-wheeled Ranger will now provide them with a greater ability to respond to emergencies in these areas. Learn more: Mokenamessenger.com

Comment: These are great examples of how STOVs can be used in very specific applications that are more effective and cost efficient than traditional vehicles. The six-wheeled Ranger vehicles have been used by the US Forest Service for many years. The use of LSVs for specific aspects of local police enforcement represents a potentially very large market for these vehicles.

LSV Road Use Laws Can Come In Bunches

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Marc Cesare

A story about LSV ordinances in Southern Illinois communities reveals a common pattern of how these laws are passed. It often starts with a municipality that sets the precedent and can be the test case for other municipalities in the area. Once other communities see that the ordinance can have a positive impact for residents, it can provide a catalyst and an easier sell in other nearby cities. Initially, there was a fair amount of pushback against these ordinances because of safety concerns, particularly the mixing of higher speed traffic with low speed vehicles. In part, this stemmed from a lack of safety data related to the use of LSVs in these environments. But once the initial adopters started instituting these ordinances, other communities could make a better assessment of both the pros and cons of allowing LSVs on local streets.

This may point to how to expand the LSV market for personal transportation. If either manufacturers and/or local dealers wanted to build an LSV market, they may want to take the approach of identifying the municipality in a particular area most agreeable to passing an ordinance and use it as a test case. They could then use it as an example to lobby nearby municipalities to do the same. In many cases, the impetus also starts with local residents who want an LSV option. Bringing them into the process would help as well. While it could take some time, once momentum built in a certain area, that micro market could expand quickly. Learn more: Thesouthern.com

Google Auto LLC: Google’s Self-Driving Auto Company

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Marc Cesare

Google Prototype self-driving low-speed vehicle.

The name for Google’s self-driving auto company has been ferreted out. Registration information from the California Department of Motor Vehicles and NHTSA include the company name. Google is currently in the process of putting up to 150 prototype self-driving autos in the field for testing. This first group of vehicles will be LSVs. Learn more: Dispatchtimes.com

Road Use Regulation Roundup – July 2015

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Marc Cesare

The following is a summary of some of the road use regulations passed or being considered at the state, county and city levels since he beginning of 2015. Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

Many of the ordinances focus on allowing UTVs, ATVs and mini-trucks to be used on public roads.
There appears to be more regulatory activity with regards to golf cars than low speed vehicles.
In a continuing trend, while some people are still expressing safety concerns about these vehicles being used in mixed traffic situations, they seem to be in the minority and most regulatory bodies are passing ordinances in favor of allowing these vehicles on roads.

Ontario, Canada – The province of Ontario will now allow people to drive ATVs, UTVs and multi-purpose off-highway utility vehicles on the shoulder of public roads. All riders and passengers will have to wear a helmet and seatbelt. The law reflects the growing use of the vehicles.

Indiana – The Indiana legislature passed a bill that will allow the use of mini-trucks on state roads and highways. The vehicle must be titled and registered with a ‘mini-truck’ plate.The bill also defines a mini-truck dealer as a person who sells more than 12 vehicles and requires the person to register with the state. A mini-truck is defined as having an ICE of not less than 660cc, a top speed of 60 mph or less, a locking enclosed cab and heated interior. The bill is mainly targeting farmers and hunters.

Alabama – A bill being proposed in the Alabama state legislature would allow cities to decide whether golf cars could be used on certain roads and to post signage declaring their use. It would require drivers to have a license and insurance and the golf cars to have seat belts, headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield. The legislation is meant to clear up any confusion related to some cities allowing golf cars on their streets, while others do not.

Chatham County, GA – Police ticketing drivers for using golf cars on public roads use is causing Chatham County officials to consider allowing golf car use on county roads. In general the state of Georgia does not allow golf cars to be allowed on public roads unless a municipality passes a specific ordinance allowing their use. Residents of the Isle of Hope, an island, are a driving force behind the review. With smaller and lower speed roads and less traffic, golf cars have become integrated to some degree into the island’s lifestyle and residents want to be able to use the vehicles without being ticketed.

Swift County, MN – A new ordinance passed by the Swift County board of commissioners allows the use of UTVs, ATVs and golf cars on county roads. The law only applies to county roads, not state or federal highways, city streets, or township roads unless those jurisdictions have also passed laws allowing their use.

Clay County, IA – The Clay County Board of Supervisors is developing an ordinance that would allow the use of UTVs and ATVs on county highways. Public hearings and more fact finding from neighboring counties will be carried out before a final ordinance is proposed.

Nashville, TN – The city council approved regulations governing the use of low-speed vehicles for taxi services. The regulations give the Metro Transportation Licensing Commission authority to determine how many low-speed vehicle certificates are issued in Metro and to whom. The vehicles must also undergo inspections, will be limited to seven passengers and travel no more than 25 mph.

Schuyler City, NE – The city council is considering an ordinance that would require of owners of UTVs or ATVs to purchase licenses at a cost of $75 annually. The intent of the law is to make sure that those who regularly drive the vehicles on city streets get licenses.

Wilmington, NC – A bill moving through the state legislature will allow public safety officials to operate utility vehicles on Wilmington public streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. The legislation is mainly targeting the fire department and police department that currently use utility vehicles for events and emergency response. In some cases the UTVs must first be transported to where they are being used.

Montpelier, VT – The village council is considering an ordinance to allow LSVs to operate on the town’s public roads.

Marion, KS – The city council approved regulations that would allow ATVs, UTVs, golf cars and mini-trucks to be used on city streets. The vehicles will have to be register them with the local police department at a cost of $45 for one year or $75 for two years.

New Braunfels, TX – A public hearing was recently held for input into developing an ordinance that would allow golf cars and LSVs to be used on city streets.

What’s Cooking on the STOV: LSV Car Sharing Program

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Marc Cesare

Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles

Mike Lolley of SUMO which has started an LSV based car-sharing program. Photo Credit: Michael Woods, NWA Democrat-Gazzette

Fayetteville, AK entrepreneurs with a green bent has started a low-speed vehicle based car sharing program. Mike Lolley and Robert Munger of Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUMO) recently started the business after two years of development. Currently 25 people have signed up to share SUMO’s fleet of fourteen vehicles which operate within a radius of five miles of downtown. The LSVs are reserved via text message and can be picked up at one of six locations. Lolley points to saving money and the environment as the two main reasons customers are interested in the service. The city managers see the service as increasing mobility options for residents as well and may make arrangements for SUMO to use certain public parking spaces as pick-up/drop-off locations. A typical parking space can fit three LSVs. An interesting aspect of the program is that there are no keys or fobs since the cars are started by a text message sent to the system. Rates start at $1.50 for a five minute ride and Paypal is the payment system. There is a $20 application fee. Learn more: NWAonline.com

Comment: This could be the start of a potentially large market for LSVs and a way for potential buyers to get exposed to LSVs. While there has certainly been an increasing number of LSV based taxi services and rental companies that have popped up around the country, they tend to cater to summer visitors or tourists. This type of car sharing program will attract long-term residents and therefore greatly expands the potential geographical market for LSVs beyond the typical summer vacation communities. Such programs may also provide an opportunity for Google to do some real-life testing of their self-driving LSVs.

Google Starts Testing Driverless Prototype LSVs

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Marc Cesare

Google prototype self-driving low-speed vehicle.

Earlier this week Google started testing their driverless, low speed vehicle prototypes on California streets. While designed from the ground up to be driverless, these prototypes do include a gas and brake pedals and a removable steering wheel, which can be used when needed by the safety drivers that will accompany the vehicles. The top speed of the vehicles is limited to 25 mph and they fall under NHTSA’s LSV vehicle classification. Google is working with a number of companies including Roush, RCO, ZF Lenksysteme, Continental, Bosch, Frimo, LG Electronics and Prefix to build 150 prototype vehicles. Roush is assembling the vehicles. To date 25 have been built and only a few of them are currently undergoing testing. Learn more: Detroitnews.com

Comment: Designing it as an LSV certainly reduces some of the costs and allows for a staged development and testing of driverless vehicles. A next step after prototype testing might be to test them in a LSV or golf car community. It would be a more confined and controlled environment, fewer higher speed vehicles and the roadways could be more thoroughly mapped. You could then proceed to allow the vehicles to venture onto local roads within the vicinity of such communities, gradually testing the vehicles in more challenging driving conditions.

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