The list of eligible vehicles for California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project are now available and includes LSVs from GEM and Miles Automotive. Five GEM models for model years 2009 and 2010 are eligible for rebates ranging from $1,000 to $1,350 depending on the model. The two Miles vehicles (model years 2009/2010) are eligible for $1,500 rebates. See the complete list. – Marc Cesare
Original posting about the project.
Tomberlin debuted two electric vehicles at the GIS (Golf Industry Show) National Tradeshow held last month in San Diego. One vehicle was their E-Motion concept car designed for what the company describes as the “Electric Close-In Commuter Class”. Placing an emphasis on safety, the E-Motion borrows technology from the aircraft industry and includes an AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag. According to the press release
AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag inflates in less than 90 milliseconds and, unlike automotive airbags, safely deploys up and away from the occupant, making it a safe restraint for passengers of all ages.
Tomberlin management hopes the additional safety feature could lead to the establishment of a new class of vehicles with less restrictive regulations compared to highway speed combustion engine vehicles. In the past, Tomberlin has been a strong advocate for a Medium Speed Vehicle classification, which NHTSA has resisted establishing in large part due to safety concerns.
The other vehicle debuted was Tomberlin’s VANISH, an electric utility vehicle with full 4 x 4 shift on the fly function targeted for hunting and other utility vehicle market segments. Additional features include independent rear suspension and 4 wheel hydraulic disc breaks. Following a trend in the market, the utility vehicle is also a street legal LSV with 3 point seat belts and safety leg restraints, lights, signals, full brush bars and padded headrests. – Marc Cesare
Learn more: Tomberlin.net
Seoul, Korea announced plans to purchase 35 NEVs for fire departments and city parks this year, including using the vehicles to shuttle world leaders around for the G-20 summit. Other initiatives to support NEV use includes:
Funded by the California Air resources Board, the rebate project provides $4.1 million to promote the use and production of zero emission vehicles. Individuals or business owners of eligible vehicles purchased or leased after March 15, 2010 can receive up to $5,000 per light-duty vehicle until the funding runs out. Certain zero-emission commercial vehicles are eligible for rebates up to $20,000. The list of specific eligible vehicles has not been released yet but categorically the list will include “…cars, trucks, commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, neighborhood electric vehicles”. A related California alternative fuels program had provided funding for NEVs from GEM, ZENN, Miles EV and ZAP in the range of $1,000 to $1,500 per vehicle. – Marc Cesare
GEM is recalling 142 vehicles manufactured in 2009 to fix a problem with the parking brake cable which may have been improperly crimped. The 2009 models affected include the e2, e4, e6, eL,eL XD and eS.
The following is from NHTSA:
| NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: | 10V080000 |
| Summary: | |
| GEM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY CRIMPED. THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE ACTUATOR HANDLE WHILE APPLIED. | |
| Consequence: | |
| THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY ON A HILL CREATING A RISK OF CRASH OR INJURY. | |
| Remedy: | |
| DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GEM AT 866-764-0616. | |
| Notes: | |
| OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV . | |
Apparently concerned about losing revenue as plug-in electric vehicles replace gas and diesel powered vehicles, the state of Washington is considering having an annual $100 registration fee for electric vehicles. The policy is also an attempt to make sure that all drivers pay for their fair share of maintaining the roads. As the author of the story points out, NEVs will most likely be affected by the bill in the short term, but being lighter than full-speed vehicles, have less impacts on the roads. Learn more: Allcarselectric.com
Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:
Nebraska – A recently introduced bill would permit the use of mini-trucks on all Nebraska roads except interstate highways, controlled-access highways and expressways. The bill also provides definitions for UTVs and mini-trucks. The story notes that mini-trucks would be used not only in rural areas but by lawn service providers in urban areas as well.
Indiana – The Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill which would allow the use of mini-trucks on local roads and state roads if properly titled and registered by the BMV. Mini-truck dealers must also register as a dealer in Indiana. The bill effectively creates a separate classification for mini-trucks which currently fall under the off-road vehicle category which includes UTVs, ATVs and golf cars.
Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Assembly Ag Committee unanimously passed the so-called “Gator Bill” which would allow light utility vehicles to be operated on roadways for agriculture use. The bill is expected to come to a vote shortly.
Mower County, MN – In the last week of December, the Mower County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance to license and allow mini-trucks on county roads. Under the new ordinance, the mini-trucks are allowed on township and county roads, but cities in the county need to pass separate ordinances.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL – A citizen group is proposing that the speed limit for an 18.5 mile stretch of county road 30A be lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph to accommodate the use of LSVs. There is some opposition to the change.
Wisconsin – A bill working its way through the Senate would give municipalities greater ability to permit neighborhood electric vehicles (“NEV”) on roads that connect to highways or cross state highways without obtaining state DOT approval.
Alaska – The Alaska State Legislature today passed a bill that allows expanded access for LSVs on certain roads in Alaska. The bill will allow low-speed electric vehicles on roads with posted speed limits of 45 mph or less. Current Alaska law only allows these vehicles to operate on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.
Fresno, CA – The legislative process has been started to allow the city of Fresno to seek permission from the state to develop a neighborhood electric vehicle plan. The plan would clear the way for special lanes, signs and other upgrades required to allow the mini-cars on more city streets.
Utah – Utah lawmakers will consider a bill that would allow low-speed vehicles go without a speedometer, odometer and braking for each wheel. According to the story Utah and Louisiana are the only states that require speedometers, odometers and brakes on all four wheels.
South Carolina – A House Subcommittee agreed Wednesday to allow a driver to operate a golf cart up to 5 miles from their home or business as opposed to the current 2 mile limit. The bill moved forward despite opposition from the State Public Safety Director but still has several hurdles to overcome before becoming law.
Dunedin, FL – City officials are looking into allowing golf carts on downtown roadways, in part to pro-actively address future parking problems.
The General Services Administration (GSA) which provides vehicles and arranges pricing deals for government and military agencies for the United States has approved vehicles from Enova Systems and Smith Electric Vehicles. Enova Systems will provide their Enova Ze for the category of all-electric walk-in step vans with a GVWR between 10,001 and 16,000 lbs. for 12, 14, and 16 foot body lengths. Smith Electric Vehicles is providing their Newton in the all-electric medium and heavy duty categories with a GVWR of up to 25,500 lbs. Both companies report they are the exclusive supplier for their respective all-electric vehicle categories. Enova Systems also supplies Smith Electric Vehicles with electric drive systems for their Newton vehicles. Learn more: finance.yahoo.com
A couple from Hull, MA became the first people to register a LSV in Massachusetts. Taking advantage of the states LSV law that recently went into effect, the couple purchased a Club Car Villager 2+2.
Massachusetts' First Registered LSV In Use
Impressively, they ventured out in the open-air vehicle in the middle of a New England winter. Club Car reports that versions of the vehicle with doors and vinyl interiors will soon be available. Learn more: Wickedlocal.com
Global Electric Motorcars recently announced that the company has produced over 40,000 vehicles. The Chrysler owned company estimates that CO2 output has been cut by more than 93,000 tons through the replacement of gas powered vehicles with the electric powered GEMS. Learn more: Canadiandriver.com