Category Archives: Regulation & policy

NJ Assembly Bills To Promote Electric Vehicles

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A package of bills are being proposed in the New Jersey State Assembly to support electric vehicles. They include tax credits and tax deductions for charging infrastructure and the purchase of electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as well as requirements for shopping center developers and the Turnpike Authority to install electric vehicle charging stations.

The most relevant for LSVs/NEVs are the tax credits for business and the tax deductions for individual tax payers for the purchase of electric vehicles.  According to the office of Assemblyman Daniel Benson, one of the bill sponsors, and my own reading of the bill, LSVs/NEVs would be eligible for these tax credits and deductions.  As currently written, for businesses, the tax credits would be available for three years starting with a $5,000 tax credit in year one, then declining to $3,000 in year two and $2,000 in year three.  For individuals the numbers are the same except it is a gross income tax deduction instead of a tax credit.  Learn more:  Paramuspost.com EV  Tax Credit/Deduction Bill

Update: The bills related to the tax credits and tax deductions for purchasing electric vehicles passed the Assembly on Thursday.  If the bills are passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, the credits and deductions will start in 2012 and run through 2014.  Learn more:  Paramuspost.com

Clean Cities National Parks Initiative

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In 2010 Clean Cities partnered with the National Park Service to develop the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative to support the use of renewable and alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and other vehicle energy-saving practices to help preserve air quality and promote the use of domestic energy resources in the parks.  The program will run for five years and will have between $1 million and $5 million in funds available annually.  The funds can be used to:

  • Purchase electric drive, alternative fuel, and advanced technology vehicles
  • Install electric vehicle charging stations and other alternative fueling infrastructure
  • Implement petroleum-reduction programs, such as idle reduction
  • Educate park visitors, employees, and others about the benefits of using cleaner, more efficient vehicles and renewable and alternative fuels.

A number of parks have initiated projects including the purchase of electric LSVs and utility vehicles.  Learn more:  USDOE

California Energy Commission EV Rebates

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The California Air Resources Board recently announced that $2 million will be available for the California Energy Commission’s 2011 clean vehicle rebate program.  Unfortunately for the LSV market, only vehicles that can carry four passengers and operate at highway speeds will be eligible for the rebates.  Program managers report that in 2010 $1.4 million in vehicle rebates were distributed for 213 vehicles including:

  • 108 Zero Emission Vehicles (LEAFs, Tesla Roadsters, and a handful of Honda Clarity fuel cell cars)
  • 38 Commercial Zero Emission Vehicles (from Smith, Navistar, and EVI)
  • 30 Neighborhood Electric Vehicles
  • 37 Zero Emission Motorcycles

Learn more:  Plugincars.com

Oregon Study Looks At LSV Impact on Transportation Infrastructure & Safety

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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

Bad Boy Buggies Recall & Acquisition

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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

Low Speed Vehicle News

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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

Kandi COCOC LSV Receives Chinese Approval

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Kandi Technologies COCO LSV recently qualified to be eligible for certain Chinese government energy programs.  The vehicles can now be marketed to Chinese consumers and government agencies and are available for various local and regional subsidies.  Management also formalized a partnership with China-based battery maker Tianneng Power International, Ltd. and Jinhua Bada Group, a subsidiary of State Grid Power Corp. to create China’s first Electric Vehicle battery replacement services company.  Kandi will make batteries available on a rental basis for their vehicles and the partnership will create a network of charging and battery replacement locations.  Learn more:  RTTNews.com

Cub Cadet Recalls Utility Vehicles

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Cub Cadet voluntarily recalled approximately 200 Cub Cadet Volunteer utility vehicles because the front lower ball joint can detach and cause a loss of steering control. No injuries relating to the problem have been reported.  The vehicles were sold between April and September 2010.  Customers should stop using the vehicles and schedule a free repair.  Cub Cadet can be contacted toll-free at (888) 848-6038  or at  www.cubcadet.com .  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

Club Car Recall

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Club Car is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,000 Model 2010 DS golf cars and hospitality, utility and transport vehicles because the brake pedal can crack and separate, resulting in a loss of braking ability.  Two incidents have been reported but no injuries.  The vehicles were sold between April and July 2010.  Club Car is contacting customers directly and will inspect and replace brake pedals for free.  For more information, contact Club Car at (800) 227-0739, ext. 3580 between 8 a.m and 5 p.m. ET or go to the firm’s website at www.clubcar.com (pdf).  Learn more:  CPSC.gov

 


 

 

Toro Partners To Demonstrate Fuel Cell Powered UTV

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Toro was recently selected by ATK, an aerospace and defense company, to help them build two fuel cell powered utility vehicles that feature advanced hydrogen storage.  The vehicles are part of an effort  by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to coordinate hydrogen storage development for the U.S. Department of Energy.  Previously Toro participated in a three-year demonstration project with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that used three prototype hydrogen-powered Workman utility vehicles at parks and a government center for work and haulage duties and personnel transport.  The vehicles will be delivered later this fall and operational and performance data will be collected for one year.  Learn more:  Marketwatch.com