Making the shift to NEVs, one county and city at a time
When we write posts for AutoblogGreen, we pretty much assume that our readers know at least a little bit about the green car world. But we're the minority - I mean, only 20 percent of the people even know about hybrid powertrains, according to one recent study - and sometimes it can be difficult to explain just what it is you're trying to drive down the road if you're going to what some might see as the extremes.
Take this story from the Coloradoan, which described what it was like for one resident of Loveland, Colorado to try and get the city to allow him to use a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) in town. When he went to the city council, the city attorney turned to the books to see what other local governments had done and discovered that, while state laws prevent NEVs on federal highways (this is a good thing), municipalities can decide whether these 25mph vehicles should be allowed on their own streets. Maybe. There's the tricky issue of whether or not NEVs could be allowed to cross state and federal highways.
With the NEV discussion going on and the issue of three-wheelers getting attention in Ohio and South Carolina - and more green car legal issues certain to flummox lawmakers - it's time to think about standardizing the laws regarding the cars we cover here on AutoblogGreen. There are enough hurdles for these vehicles to cross without bizarres laws that change from city to city. h/t to Chris!
[Source: Coloradoan]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kardax 8:28PM (7/01/2008)
I don't think NEVs are long for this world, and it has nothing to do with regulatory hurdles. The recent, permanent rise in gasoline prices is going to force all the established automakers into the high-efficiency vehicle business, including EVs.
All these little niche manufacturers who hook cheap lead-acid batteries to a washing machine motor and call it a day are going to be wiped out.
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The Talking Hamburger 1:48AM (7/05/2008)
I disagree. If anything, you might see the best NEV makers absorbed by the big car companies with engineers sharing technology and knowledge. Chrysler owns GEM and Ford has worked worldwide with makers of the Th!nk car. Mitsubishi and Nissan seem to be the only carmakers wanting to build a fully functional electric car (for Japan).
The NEV makers have a place, as the obvious goal is to increase usable range of electric cars. In the meantime, their efforts aren't being wasted. People are making lifestyle changes and making due with cars like the ZENN. Nobody wants to say this out loud, but the future of personal driving is going include some changes too.
Sebastian 12:59AM (7/02/2008)
I think there will still be a place for NEVs, especially if price comes down and they're easily available for
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woodenbee 9:53AM (7/02/2008)
I think to trash talk NEV's is extremely counter productive, as can be seen anywhere we are going in the direction of people being able to buy exactly the kind of transportation they want and need as opposed to the dazzling choice of gas guzzling junk they are told to buy currently. I personally would love to convert my 62 bug into a nev someday, and with a 2 mile commute my 50cc scooter is working out great. Small local producers turning out fun and interesting NEV's would be good for America. So I wouldn't see any reason to count out NEV's at all....
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