MSV and Mini Truck State Laws

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has compiled information regarding medium speed vehicle (MSV) and mini-truck laws by state. According to the institute Kentucky, Montana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Washington currently have MSV laws. Oregon’s law will go into effect at the end of September and Colorado has a law that will be triggered by the US DOT’s setting of MSV standards. The latter may not happen anytime soon:

In 2008 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied several petitions to create a new class of vehicles known as medium-speed vehicles (MSVs), which would have a top speed of 35 mph. The petitioners asked that MSVs be subject to a set of safety standards greater than those applied to low-speed vehicles (LSVs) but substantially less than those applied to conventional passenger cars. NHTSA denied the petition because unlike LSVs, which are permitted to have a top speed of 25 mph and are intended for use in controlled, low-speed communities, MSVs are traveling in higher risk traffic situations and should comply with all of the safety standards set for passenger cars.

Kentucky, Montana and Colorado’s laws allow for a top speed of 45 mph for MSVs while all the other states with laws allow for a top speed of 35 mph. Learn more: IIHS.org

The following states have mini-truck laws: Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming. There is more variance in the laws for these vehicles since states classify them differently. Some are classified as mini trucks or mini utility trucks and others as utility vehicles, off highway vehicles, or even LSVs or MSVs since some mini trucks are speed restricted although many can go 45 to 55 mph. Top speeds allowed by the vehicles vary from 25 mph to a high of 55 mph, and the types of roads they can be used on vary as well. Learn more: IIHS.org

Tax Credit Update

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Previously I posted a story about GEM stating their vehicles qualified for a federal plug-in electric vehicle tax credit. I have since checked on other manufacturers such as Tomberlin, Columbia ParCar and Wheego and they are also claiming their LSVs qualify for the tax credit as well. Columbia ParCar’s website has some good information on the subject. LSVs are apparently eligible for two tax credits in 2009, the larger EESA or plug-in tax credit and the smaller ARRA LSV tax credit, but taxpayers can only claim one for a given vehicle. The EESA tax credit should provide a significant boost to sales of LSVs for the remainder of 2009.

AMP Control Of Oklohoma To Assemble & Sell Wheego LSVs

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AMP Control of Piedmont, OK has an agreement to assemble and sell Wheego Electric Car’s LSVs. According to Wheego management a significant factor in making this move was the sizable state tax credit for electric vehicles in Oklahoma. Wheego CEO Mike McQuary states that

…the Wheego Whip LSV qualifies for a state tax credit of 50 percent of the purchase price of the vehicle, which is $18,995, as well as a $7,500 federal tax credit.

A news conference on the agreement is scheduled for tomorrow Learn more: kfsm,com (5 News)

DFM-USA Announces Latest Line Of Electric Vehicles

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DFM-USA recently announced their latest line of electric vehicles. The company’s product lines include the Marathon Electric Vehicle, and soon the traditional gas powered industrial transport, and our 4×4 off road UTV. According to management,

First to be released is our Marathon EV line of NEV, LSV Electric Utility Vehicles. We offer a 2 Door Truck, 4 Door Truck, Passenger Van, and Cargo Van. Each model comes standard with our 100% plug in electric Marathon HP drive.

Learn more: prlog

Bushwacker Introduces New Windshield Line for UTVs

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Earlier this month Gotcha Covered, LLC announced the launch of a new product line of premium polycarbonate windshields for utility vehicles under their Bushwacker brand.?? The aftermarket windshields are made of Lexan polycarbonate and fit vehicles such as John Deere Gator, Kawasaki Mule, Kawasaki Teryx, Kawasaki Trans, Honda Big Red, Kubota, Yamaha Rhino , Polaris Ranger, Polaris RZR, Polaris Crew, American Sportworks, Husqvarna and others.?? Learn more:?? UTVweekly.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

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

Unmanned Military Vehicles: John Deere recently demonstrated its R-Gator standalone, autonomous mule, which is based on its M-Gator model at the Army sponsored Robotic Rodeo.

Applications include reconnaissance, patrol, hauling supplies (up to 1,400 lbs.), casualty evacuation, and the “marsupial” capability–namely the ferrying and remote deployment of smaller, specialized robots.

The Robotics Rodeo is sponsored by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and by the U.S. Army’s III Corps.?? Learn more:?? CNET.com

Campus Maintenance: Shenandoah University recently replaced a gas powered maintenance vehicle with a Vantage electric truck.?? The electric truck meets LSV standards and is powered by a 72 volt battery system.?? The vehicle will be used by the university’s physical plant department for general maintenance and contributes to the goals of reducing the carbon footprint and reaching campus sustainability.?? The university expects to save on fuel and maintenance costs while reducing emissions and noise.?? Learn more:?? Shenandoah University

Columbia ParCar Wins U.S. Army Order For Nearly 800 LSVs

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Columbia ParCar recently announced that they have won an order to supply 799 LSVs for the US Army.?? The LSVs will be used at 47 US Army installations in the US and Puerto Rico and are part of a three year plan to purchase 4,000 LSVs.?? The plan calls for 800 LSVs to be acquired in 2009, 1,600 in 2010 and another 1,600 in 2011.?? The vehicles will be?? used for passenger transport, security patrol, maintenance and delivery services.?? According to Columbia ParCar’s Scott Breckley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, ???438 vehicles are four-passenger models and the remaining 361 units are utility vehicles capable of transporting two passengers and cargo.??? Learn more:?? Columbia ParCar

Comment: This order is another example of the growing importance of the military segment for LSVs and utility vehicles.?? Kawasaki and Polaris have previously won contracts to supply utility vehicles and the Army’s LSV program represents a significant chunk of the LSV market.?? For utility vehicles, vehicle performance in specific field applications and favorable price points compared to previous vehicle options available is driving demand.?? Polaris, according to their latest presentation to investors, considers the military segment a significant new market development initiative in their global market strategy.?? For the LSVs, the military is replacing more expensive larger vehicles and saving on fuel costs, while still being able to perform the necessary tasks. – Marc Cesare

Zap Announces Military Reorder & Increased Production Schedule

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Electric vehicle maker Zap recently announced that the US military has followed up a June order for their Zaptruck XL with a request for eleven more of the vehicles.?? The military is ordering five 220-volt fast charging stations as well.?? The management also reported that they…

…have been increasing our production and assembly schedules for the past several months and I expect to see even more ramp-up initiatives in the next quarter.

Learn more:?? Earthtimes.org

Global Green Cars Announces Launch Of Electric Truck & New Facility

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Global Green Cars G-3 Electric Truck

Global Green Cars G-3 Electric Truck

Global Green Cars Inc announced that their G-3 electric truck will be available in Spring or Summer of 2010 and cost approximately $25,000.?? The truck features a 1,000 lb payload capacity, a top speed of 85 mph and a range of 100 miles.?? The plug-in electric truck is powered by nickel-based batteries.?? Learn more:?? Trucktrend.com

In conjunction with the vehicle announcement, Global Green Cars also announced that they are moving ahead with building a production facility in Kentucky.?? The state is providing a $15.5 million financial incentive package.?? According to management,

Global Green Cars is planning to produce first stage vehicles in 2010 in a temporary facility and to scale up to mass production in 2011 in a new facility built to meet anticipated demand for its electric vehicles.

Upon completion of the building, assembly lines and logistical peripheral structures, the new facility in Williamsburg will be capable of producing up to 30,000 electric cars and trucks per year.

Learn more:?? Earthtimes.org

More Farm Equipment Manufacturers Enter Utility Market

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Both New Holland and Case IH have decided to enter the utility vehicle market with the addition of their Rustler and Scout UTV product lines, respectively.

New Holland Ruslter 125 UTV

New Holland Ruslter 125 UTV

New Holland is targeting the rancher, farmer and property owner with their line-up of three Rustler utility vehicles:?? Models 115, 120, and 125.

New Holland offers Rustler UVs with 4×2 or 4×4 axles. For extra traction on the 14-hp 4×4 115 (gas) model, simply engage the shift-on-demand four-wheel drive, while the larger models engage four-wheel drive automatically. The 20-hp 120 (diesel) and 23-hp 125 (gas) models feature an automatic, all-wheel-drive system that delivers the gear you need, when you need it.

Lean more:?? Northwest Horse Source

Case IH Scout UTV

Case IH Scout UTV

Case IH offers their Scout and Scout XL utility vehicles.?? The XL comes in a gas or diesel versions for 2 or 4 passengers. Key target segments for the Scout include crop and livestock farmers, contractors, and landscapers.

The two-passenger Case IH Scout offers premium features in a compact size, including: MacPherson Strut front suspension and best-in-class independent rear suspension; a wide ratio CVT transmission for fuel efficiency and smooth shifting; hydraulic, four-wheel disk brakes; ROPS protection, retractable safety belts and Halogen headlamps.

For all the comfort, safety and fuel-saving features in a bigger box, there’s the larger Case IH Scout XL. These also feature a wide ratio CVT transmission; hydraulic, four-wheel disk brakes; ROPS, retractable safety belts and headlamps; along with a double A-arm front suspension with coil overshocks for a comfortable ride; and a full-sized bed box with 800 lbs. (15.1 cu. ft.) of capacity – or 1,050 lbs. with the optional high capacity kit.

Learn more:?? PRweb.com

Comment: I believe these new product line introductions are indicative of two trends in the utility vehicle market.?? First, despite the economy and some declines in the market, the utility vehicle market is still relatively vibrant and poised for strong growth as the economy gains strength.?? In part, this is because purchasing these vehicles?? makes economic sense?? since they?? increase productivity.?? In their July quarterly analyst conference call Arctic Cat reported positive comparative UTV sales figures for 9 of 13 weeks. In contrast, both Polaris and Arctic Cat have reported significantly sharper declines for ATVs than UTVs during the economic downturn.

This leads me to the second trend in the market – utility vehicles “stealing” market share from other vehicle classes.?? One class being affected is ATVs.?? Polaris estimates a third of side-by-side vehicles are displacing ATVs.?? The other class of vehicles is tractors in the farm segment.?? I have picked this trend up in interviews with farm equipment dealers and I speculate that these new product line introductions are, in part, a response to New Holland and Case IH experiencing a negative impact on tractor sales.?? The?? other reason for the introductions is that the utility vehicle market represents a good growth opportunity, one which competitors like John Deere and Kubota have already been exploiting for a number of years. – Marc Cesare