Ohio refuses to license electric 3-wheelers
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, drivers in Ohio are facing problems when it comes time to register their electric three-wheeled vehicles. Most states classify three-wheelers as motorcycles, but Ohio adds one more item to their definition of a motorcycle: a saddle. This means that three-wheelers which have a normal "car-like" seat are unregisterable as a car, because they have fewer than four wheels, or a motorcycle. Two vehicles are mentioned in our source article, the ZAP! Xebra and the NmG from Myers Motors (pictured above), a company based, ironically enough, in Ohio. According to Josh Engel, chief legal counsel for the BMV, "It's not the first time that the law hasn't caught up with technology," adding that the state of Ohio is supportive of electric vehicles. Basically, the law needs to change, and Tom Hunter, communications director for the BMV, suggests that the real solution would be to classify the vehicles as neither cars nor motorcycles. A special class of vehicle would be created, and hopefully a motorcycle endorsement would not be required. We'll keep you updated if anything new comes of this issue. Thanks for the tip, Ken.
[Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Robert Prtichett 10:26AM (5/05/2008)
They need to get this vehicle going further than 30 miles. What good is it going 70 MPH if it can't go beyond 30 in distance?
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GoodCheer 10:26AM (5/05/2008)
So if it's not a car and it's not a motorcycle then I assume it does not need to be registered at all right (or insure it)? I have no registration for the chair I'm sitting on right now, and while it would be unwise to take this chair down the street, I doubt there are any laws specifically prohibiting it.
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Phil L. 10:29AM (5/05/2008)
Hmmm - Is this a relatively recent interpretation of the law?
I grew up in Ohio and saw trikes - with seats that weren't "saddle" looking - on the road regularly (plus a neighbor had a VW-powered, wheelie-popping trike). And the Myers Motors web site includes a news station video of the NmG on the road, with footage supposedly shot in Ohio. I even remember looking closely at a 3-wheeled gas-powered enclosed vehicle for sale in the mid-80s (sorry, can't recall exactly what kind of seat is had) that was on the road in Ohio.
Myers has owned the old Corbin design since late 2004 - I find it hard to believe that registration difficulties are only now coming to light. What's really going on here?
It'd be nice to see Ohio become a legislative leader in this area - helping boost the development of non-standard format EVs. Personally, a used Sparrow/NmG would be ideal for my commute - but there are simply none available in my area, and prices I've seen are well beyond what I'd be able to afford.
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Phil L. 10:35AM (5/05/2008)
GoodCheer -
There are plenty of laws on the books preventing things that aren't legally cars or motorcycles from using public roads.
You probably wouldn't get arrested for rolling your office chair down the street, but just try the same thing with a go-kart, mini-bike or any other powered vehicled that doesn't have a license plate. Sadly, Zap and NmG are stuck in this category at the moment.
The insurance side gets to be important, too. Would you risk a $10K+ vehicle on the road without insurance to protect that investment? You'd also be unwise to risk your financial future without liability insurance. You can't get that insurance without a title and registration.
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Dave 10:48AM (5/05/2008)
I'm a lawyer licensed in Ohio. If anyone gets zinged for driving one of those, give me a buzz. I'm very interested in this area and hope to help out.
Dave Brannon
www.branlaw.com
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jmspearman 11:57AM (5/05/2008)
Good show Dave! I live in Ohio, too, and I'm disappointed that such a predicament may exist since I want an Aptera if they ever get this far. Now if they can only invent electric horses so the Amish buggies can go a little faster.
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Mark 12:20PM (5/05/2008)
Big oil lobbying wins again!
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Stins 2:26PM (5/05/2008)
That's crazy that they won't register the 3-wheeled EVs. If anything, they're safer than motorcycles! Let's just hope that the law gets changed relatively quickly so that people don't get discouraged from adopting the technology. And if anyone gets a chance to drive an NmG, it'd be really cool to read your review: http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/myers-motors-nmg-ev
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Kevin Nugent 8:30PM (5/05/2008)
wow people always try to do things to stop green living
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GenWaylaid 8:06PM (5/05/2008)
Here's the best description of Ohio's definition of a motorcycle I could find:
"4511.01 ( C ) states in part, Motorcycle means every motor vehicle, other than a tractor, having a saddle for the use of the operator and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, including, but not limited to, motor vehicles known as motor-driven cycle, “motor scooter” or “motorcycle” without regard to weight or brake horsepower."
The saddle is "for the use" of the operator, but they don't specify what use. In theory one could add a bicycle seat and use it to hold one's cell phone. That's a "use."
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jim 9:34AM (5/06/2008)
The only reason manufacturers of these small electrics choose to use 3 wheels is an attempt to circumvent safety requirements for automobiles. A three wheeler has no inherent advantages beyond that subterfuge.
If the vehicle pictured had four wheels there would be room for a decent sized trunk, more passengers or additional batteries increasing the range.
Regarding vehicles like VW powered trikes, they typically come under another exemption for home built and kit car vehicles.
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BigFordCountry 4:38PM (4/22/2009)
I agree with Jim, I believe that is the reasoning for Ohio "law" not allowing the 3 wheel car to happen. Several electric cars get arround this by limiting the speed to 25mph, this avoids the 25mph bumper crash test rating. (GEM, Miles zx40, Zenn, Flybo, Dynasty, and even ZAP all offer NEVs that loophole the law). I understand that the DOT may also lift the 25mph crash restrictions in 2010 to allow the Chinese and Others to import very small cars. We may soon see more of the local Golf Course landscaping trucks (you know those micro trucks and UTVs with motorcycle engines) on the road. Again we fall into the get good MPG or be safe. To avoid some of this why couldn't NMG just modify the seat alittle. I don't believe there is anything about a steering wheel or handle bars just a saddle seat. I personally thought about buying the Miles OF40 (off road version with no governed speed) gutting it and putting it in my Ranger or Contour. Go Electric!
Alex Campbell 2:14PM (5/12/2008)
Ohio's biggest paper is in favor of 3-wheeled electrics...
http://www.cleveland.com/editorials/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/opinion/1210581121265890.xml&coll=2
I wonder how Ohio defines its meter readers? Federal law clearly defines vehicles like this, so how do 3-wheelers circumvent the law?
One of the main reasons why 3-wheelers are so common in places like Asia is because they are more affordable. Isn't that what these companies are trying to do, introduce affordable, street-legal EVs?
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Kyle 5:31PM (5/18/2008)
Looks like Ohio does'ent want to miss out on any state gasoline tax. We greenies are being fought, kicked and beat at every step of the way.
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Donna 8:25PM (6/05/2008)
I would like to buy a new Honda Moped, but about the only mopeds that are allowed are dated back to the 70's and 80's. Ohio has a list of what is allowed and nothing new that can be found locally at a decent price is on the list.
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tuktukusa 9:12AM (6/18/2008)
So many comments to add and reply to ! But this is good news about some things changing. Autobloggreen did not mention a past write up about the 3 wheel Tuk Tuk, now available in USA having USA approvals, providng the owner with so far everything mentioned about what other 3 wheelers do not have. The Tuk Tuk has Trunk space, power to go long distances, 53 mpg, equal to a 1/2 ton truck. It can pull Campers, trailers, boats, jetskis, flat bed trailers, etc, and still provide GREEEEN mileage.
The Tuk Tuk can carry from just the commuter to save our natural resources, and can carry up to 15 people, while still giving over 50 mpg.
The Tuk Tuk is the answer to our fuel costs for work, play, green, oh and its safe too !!!!
www.tuktuknorthamerica.com
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Herman Cain 5:45PM (6/18/2008)
IF you do a search of Ohio Revused code 4519.19 there is a law passed in 1997 that allows your local law enforcement (sheriff) to allow or not allow speciality vehicles on roadways in their jurisdiction0--I have Mini Trucks which has all the required safety features to run on the roadways safely they get 40-50 mpg YET they are not allowed on the roads according to the BMV--but in my county the sheriff said to put a SMV sign on it and run it anywhere a farm tractor is allowed to go--that means NOT ON INTERSTATE roads (I-77) etc.If you look on my website CAIN4x4minitrucks.com you can find this law also--and there is other info/ there too
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Alex 6:29PM (8/28/2008)
@Alex Campbell: Alex, you work for ZAP so don't write "these companies" when you mean your company!
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Karl 10:07PM (9/10/2008)
As of June 10th Ohio approved the registration of 3 wheeled vehicles.
I've also gotten to drive an NMG or should I say there is an upgraded Corbin Sparrow here in Columbus that was was able to check out and drive around the parking lot.
I didn't explore these cars further as the price and distance didn't equate to something that would fit my life style.
Recently I've started e-mailing the company as they now have a Lithium powered version that will travel 45 miles per charge and they are offering them at a "Beta" price just under $30,000.00.
There's hope on the horizon.
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maak 8:24PM (2/25/2009)
Why don't they just change the seat/saddle?
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