Category Archives: Regulation & policy

Kawasaki Recalls Teryx Vehicles Over Labels

Posted on by
Reply

Kawasaki in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling approximately 2,ooo Teryx side-by-side vehicles because they are “…incorrectly labeled as having a higher occupant capacity than is safe.”  The vehicles were sold between August 2011 and March 2012 and include the Teryx 750 FI 4×4, Teryx 750 FI 4×4 LE, Teryx 750 FI 750 4×4 LE SGE and Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport models.  Consumers will be mailed a replacement glove compartment with a correct label. They can install it themselves or a Kawasaki dealer will install it for free.  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

News Briefs

Posted on by
Reply

Polaris Adds Jobs – Polaris will be adding 89 jobs in their Osceola, WI plant for work related to their Indian Motorcycle and GEM product lines that were acquired last year.  Work at the plant will include engine production for motorcycles and R&D for GEM vehicles.  The company has also added 200 jobs over the last 18 months at their Spirit Lake facility which is ramping up to full production of Indian motorcycles and GEM vehicles.  Learn more:  Startribune.com

Campus Sustainability Drives Electrics – Washington State University is another example of how sustainability initiatives on campus are driving electric STOV purchases.  The university recently purchased the three GEMs for transportation and general fleet use.  The vehicles help the university meet the governor’s mandate that state entities reduce their carbon footprint.  Learn more:  News.wsu.edu

A Case For NEVs/LSVs – In this brief interview an author in the renewable energy space makes the case for NEVs/LSVs and the role for STOVs.  Learn more:  2greenenergy.com

Club Car Recalls Limited Number of Utility & Transport Vehicles

Posted on by
Reply

Club Car, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling approximately 100 utility and transport vehicles.  The brake pedal mounting blocks can crack and separate, resulting in a loss of braking ability.  To date no incidents of cracking or resulting injuries have been reported.  The vehicles were sold during April and May of 2011 and include a range of models and serial numbers.  Club Car is contacting customers directly to provide a free replacement of the mounting blocks.  For more information and specific models and serial numbers affected see CPSC.gov


Pro Armor Recalls UTV Door Latches

Posted on by
Reply

Pro Armor, in cooperation with the CPSC, is voluntarily recalling latches used on utility vehicle doors.  “The latch pin can disengage from the latch allowing the door to open while the vehicle is moving. This can pose a risk of ejection of an unrestrained rider and impact or laceration hazards.”  To date no injuries have been associated with any of the latch failures reported.  Approximately 5,200 of the latches were sold between January and November of 2011 for use in Polaris RZR, Can-Am Commander and Kawasaki Teryx utility vehicles.  Consumers should stop using vehicles equipped with the latches and contact Pro Armor for a free repair kit.  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Washington State Considers Electric Vehicle Fee

Posted on by
Reply

The Washington State Senate has passed a bill that will charge electric vehicle owners a $100 fee to compensate for lost gas taxes.  The bill reportedly does not apply to LSVs.  The revenues would be used to fund road repair and related services.  The bill still has to pass the House. Learn more:  Plugincars.com

“Silver Tsunami” To Lift LSV Sales?

Posted on by
Reply

An important driver for the consumer LSV market has been the growth of retirement and over 55 master planned/gated communities to serve aging Baby Boomers.  While many of these communities have been associated with retirement areas in Florida, California, Arizona and the Carolinas, a recent planning document from Washington state points to more widespread potential outside those states and master planned communities.  Recently the Clark County Aging Readiness Task Force presented over 90 recommendations to county officials to address the county’s aging population.  A number of the recommendations deal specifically with transportation issues and one of the general recommendations is to support the use of neighborhood electric vehicles.  County officials expect that by 2030, 25% of local residents will be 60 or older compared to around 16% today.  “Seniors are the fastest growing segment of the local population and, statewide, Washington will rank 11th in the nation.”  Learn more:  Columbian.com

Columbia ParCar Recalls Vehicles For Steering Issue

Posted on by
Reply

Columbia ParCar, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling nearly 1,400 golf, service and utility vehicles produced between July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011, which includes 2009, 2010 and 2011 models.  The vehicles are being recalled because “…the lower steering yoke can loosen where it attaches to the steering rack and pinion, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash.”  No injuries have been reported related to the issue.  Models involved in the recall include the Eagle (P4E) Golf Vehicle, Shuttle (C6E) Personnel Carrier, Tram (C10E) Personnel Carrier, Summit (SM/SUV) Utility Vehicle, Utilitruck (EU4, EU24) Utility Vehicle and Scout (S10E) Utility Vehicle.  Check the following link for specific VINs involved. Columbia ParCar dealers will be conducting free inspections and repairs as required.  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

KYMCO UTVs Recalled For Fire Hazard

Posted on by
Reply

KYMCO USA, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is recalling nearly 1,900 UTVs produced from 2009 to 2012.  The vehicles are being recalled because “…an exposed portion of the exhaust system can allow debris such as leaves, brush or other flammable materials to enter the opening and ignite, posing a fire hazard.”  While there have been three reports of fires, no injuries have been reported.  Models involved in the recall include the UXV 500, 500 LE, and 500 SE and the UXVi 500, 500 LE, and 500 SE.  Check the following link for specific VINs involved.  KYMCO dealers will be installing repair kits for free.  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

EV Related Tax Credits Expire

Posted on by
Reply

Federal budget battles have led to the expiration of a number of electric vehicle related tax credits.  The most important tax credit for the STOV market was the tax credit for plug-in electric vehicles which applied to LSVs.  The credit was worth 10% of the cost of the vehicle up to $2,500.  A tax credit for installing electric vehicle recharging stations also expired.  While these type of tax credits are frequently renewed with an added provision to the budget bill, the disputes over the budget that went down to the deadline altered the usual process.  There is a possibility that some of the tax credits could be re-instated at a later date, which has occurred with other credits in the past,  but there has been no reports of that happening.  Learn more:  Torquenews.com

More Sustainability Driven Purchases

Posted on by
Reply

The University of Chicago recently added three e-Ride electric utility vehicles to their fleet.  The LSVs are replacing two gas powered trucks and a van and are the University’s first foray into all electric vehicles.  The vehicles will be used mostly by the facilities department in their carpentry or painting shops during a pilot phase to understand how to best use the vehicles.  In the future more of these type of vehicles are expected to be purchased as part of a sustainability program.  Learn more:  Blogs.uchicago.edu/dirt

Update:  In a related story, Missouri State University students purchased a Vantage EVX1000 electric utility truck for student workers who collect recyclables on campus.  The student sustainability fund was used to finance the $24,000 purchase.  The recycling program is expected to now be more efficient with a dedicated vehicle that expands access to off-campus university buildings downtown.  Learn more:  News-leader.com