The Roush Electric Vehicle produced by Roush Industries is essentially a small pick-up truck that conforms to most LSV/NEV standards except GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). With a payload capacity of 1,100 pounds the REV has a GVWR of almost 4,000 lbs which is well over the 3,000 lb limit put forth in NHTSA’s FMVSS 500 regulations that relate to LSVs. The company has been unsuccessful in obtaining an exemption for the vehicle and therefore has put a hold on any further development. Learn more: Automobilemag.com
Category Archives: Regulation & policy
Chrylser Wants To Sharply Reduce The Number Of GEM Dealers
Chrysler will argue in bankruptcy court next week that it should be able to eliminate 64 of 150 GEM dealers. This represents just over 40% of the GEM dealerships. According to Chrysler management 26 of the dealers are already closed or winding down operations and many others have only sold a “handful” of vehicles in the past two years. Learn more: Freep.com
Comment: This development is not too surprising. In recent weeks I have interviewed a number of NEV dealers for an upcoming study and some of them, not just GEM dealers, have shutdown or put their operations on hold. The economy has a large part to do with their difficulties as well as misjudging the interest in these vehicles for personal transportation. MC
Going Postal Means Going Electric?
A draft study by the Postal Regulatory Commission examining vehicle-electrifications has concluded that:
Electrification of the Postal Service delivery vehicle fleet is practical, achievable, and desirable, and should be initiated now.
According to the study electrifying the Postal Service’s delivery vans would save 68 million gallons of fuel annually and cut overall costs per mile from 20-25 cents to 8-12 cents. The aging Postal fleet includes 142,000 delivery vehicles and with most delivery routes about 17-18 miles long the situation seems ideal for electric vehicles. However a significant hurdle for the often financially challenged organization is the very high level of capital investment fleet electrification would require – up to $10 billion. Learn more: csmonitor.com
Road Use Regulations Roundup – May
Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:
- Some cities are expanding road use regulations to include golf cars
- NEV road use ordinances continue to be passed by local municipalities although safety concerns remain an issue for some
- Demand is in increasing for allowing utility vehicles and mini-trucks on public roads
- Another state looking to adopt a medium speed vehicle law
North Carolina – Bill in the state assembly would add Currituck and New Hanover counties to a state law that allows golf cars on streets in several resort communities.
Pontiac, IL – Ordinance being drafted that would allow the use of modified golf cars as NEVs.
Normal, IL – Considering an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.
Merrill, WI – City council passed an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.
Colorado – House passed a bill that would allow NEVs on public highways.
Palm Desert, CA – Safety concerns have stalled a bill in the state legislature that would broaden the use of NEVs on city streets.
Minnesota – Legislation has passed both the state house and senate that would allow counties to permit the use of mini-trucks, but not on interstate and state highways.
New York – The state DMV issued an opinion that utility vehicles are not allowed on roads or ATV trails unless the law is changed.
New Strawn, KS – City council approved an ordinance that allows work-site utility vehicles and micro utility vehicles to be driven legally on city streets.
Cushing, OK – Passed an ordinance regulating the operation of mini bikes, golf carts, ATVs and utility vehicles on the streets and highways of the city.
Utah – Cities are debating allowing the use of mini-trucks on public roads. Since they are classified as street legal ATVs there is concern about allowing the use of all types of ATVs.
Oregon – Governor has introduced a transportation bill that creates a medium speed vehicle designation aimed at increasing the adoption of NEVs
Mini Trucks Offer Competition In Some Utility Vehicle Segments
I came across a story about how farmers were choosing Japanese mini-trucks to replace pick-ups for use on their farms. This puts them in direct competition with utility vehicles which are also replacing pick-ups on farms, college campuses, parks and other areas. The mini-trucks are typically faster than utility vehicles, a top speed around 50 mph, although some new vehicles are being built to LSV standards, and have the advantage of an enclosed cab. They offer better gas mileage than pick-ups, upwards of 40-50 mpg .
There however is an issue with registration of the vehicles and road use regulations. The law varies from state to state on whether they can be registered and or used on local roads, even if it is driving between parts of the same farm. Louisiana recently passed a law allowing them to be used on certain roads.
Many of the mini trucks are purchased as used vehicles imported from Japan where various regulations apparently make it more economical to purchase a new vehicle after certain amount of use rather than comply with the regulations. Learn more: japanese4x4minitrucks.com and here
Minneapolis Expands Zones For NEV Dealerships
I thought it would be interesting to track these type of changes in the market. Once or twice before I have seen a story along the lines of an existing golf car dealership obtaining local government approval to expand their lineup of vehicles to include NEVs. In this case, NEVs will be able to be sold in more and less dense commercial zones in the city. Previously they were treated like used cars when it came to this type of zoning issue.
US Army LSV Program Has New Exec
Last week Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Environment) Keith Eastin appointed Jerry Hansen as the Army’s Senior Energy Executive in addition to serving as the deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Strategic Infrastructure). Managing the Army’s program to place 4,000 electric-powered LSVs across installations will be part of his responsibilities. Learn more: US Army
Bush Hog Utility Vehicles Recalled
In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission Bush Hog has voluntarily recalled their TH4400 (Trail Hand) and 4430 4X4 Off-Road Utility Vehicles. According to the CPSC:
The utility vehicle’s throttle cable can lock in freezing temperatures. This can cause the engine not to return to idle when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator pedal, posing a risk of loss of vehicle control and injury to the driver and passenger.
The recall includes approximately 850 vehicles sold from April to December 2008. Consumers should stop using the vehicles and bring them into a dealer for a free inspection and repair. As an incentive for bringing in the vehicles Bush Hog is offering a $50 check. Learn more: CPSC
London Mayor Pushes For Electric Vehicles
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has laid out plans to have 100,000 electric vehicles by 2025 and 25,000 charging stations in London by 2015. The plan calls for putting charging stations on main roads, retail and work places, parking garages and train stations. The mayor’s plan also calls for 20% of new parking spaces and new building developments to have charging points and excludes electric vehicles from congestion pricing in London’s center.
The plan will cost about $90 million and is expected to be funded by a mixture of public and private sources. It will be helped by recent efforts of the national government which earmarked about $370 million in January for consumer incentives for buying electric vehicles for anywhere in the UK. The incentive is about $3,000 per vehicle. Learn more
MSV Law Speeds Through Texas Legislature
According to reports, a bill that will allow NEVs to operate at speeds up to 35 mph on roads with speed limits of up to 45 mph is moving through the Texas legislature. The bill was passed unaminously by the Transportation Committee and is expected to pass and become effective in May or June of this year. Learn more: houstonelectriccars.net