Polls
August 20, 2008 Posted by: Paul Lucas
Good news for electric vehicles across the Atlantic thanks to new regulations issued by the Canadian transportation agency allowing truck versions of the low speed vehicles to be driven on Canadian roads with speed limits up to 50km per hour (31mph).
Previously low speed electric trucks were not permitted on Canadian roads, primarily because of their low speeds which could be seen as prohibitive to free-flowing traffic. Low speed cars had been limited to closed campuses such as airports, schools, business complexes and parks before the new legislation was introduced.
Now however, Canada’s rules will mirror those already established in the USA. This will also be exciting news to electric vehicle manufacturers south of the border. Vehicles designed in the USA can now be shipped north without expensive modifications which will offer a boost to the likes of Chrysler subsidiary GEM, Zap and Miles Automotive. It should also offer assistance to Canadian low speed vehicle manufacturers including Dynasty Electric Car Corporation and the Zenn Motor Company.
Canada’s definition of low speed vehicles had previously excluded trucks making it impossible for manufacturers to market them.
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It seems silly to outlaw a car based on the fact that it is too slow, surely limited speeds in an auto is a plus simply because that makes it a safer vehicle? This is a silly technicality that prevents use of economical, non-polluting vehicles, which people actually want to drive.
Comment by Electric Car — August 20, 2008 @ 11:13 am
What people fail to understand is, we need a medium speed car for electric to work in the real world. You see 25 mph limit on 35 mph max roads is not going to work. This limit is imposed by regulations not by the cars technical ability. If you let them go 35 mph on roads upto 45 mph this allows them to go on most roadways, without the change I can only go out of my driveway and down the road a mile, i can not go any futher because the road is 40 mph max, but with the 35 mph/45mph, i can go just about anywhere except major highways. There are 3 states in the US that has that law. If we allowed 45 mph on roads 50 mph max, this trully would change the world, a citycar that would sell for $8,000 or less. Don’t expect your major auto manufacturers to be rushing to create these, it would have a devestating impact on the bottom line, no maint, plug them in and you drive cheaply..
Comment by Andrew Jerry — August 20, 2008 @ 2:56 pm
First and foremost… EV’s can go alot faster than whats listed. This article is mainly referring to NEV’s, (golf cart type cars with windows), but on the whole EV’s can go quite fast, and 0 - 60 quickly. Unfortunately some cars have a tough time maintaining this speed for more than a few hours, but for most of us that should be fine.
It’s really about price at this point. Tesla is far too expensive. The public needs to stick to Goss132 or something like that. Comfortable with lots of space, and can seat 4 quite easily. I hear it looks like a Camry, or most midsize vehicles.
It’s the cost that caught me by surpise. Around 22K. Now THAT is SWEET! Goss132 for me all the way!
Comment by Chris Miles — August 21, 2008 @ 3:47 am
Hi…
As Chris states the article is referring to low speed vehicles (LSVs) rather than electrics in general.
Thanks.
Paul
Comment by Paul Lucas — August 21, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
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