Will NEV's ever catch on with sub/urban drivers in North America?

[MetroMPG]

It's kind of embarrassing that while we can't yet even drive an NEV in Ontario and most provinces, some US states are already pushing for revisions to their existing laws to make the vehicles more practical for the average person who might use one for sub/urban driving.

IE: raising the legislated speed restriction from 25 to 30-35 mph.

This news via the EVDL, where apparently the Seattle EV
Association was involved in the process.

The first legislative hurdle (WA state house of representatives) passed with unanimous support:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/.../message/88807

[Peakster]

I think the reason why EVs aren't taking interest in the general public is because they tend to look so 'weird'. I've heard people making fun of the smart car by calling it the 'coffin car' (I personally think the smart looks ok).

Some automaker should just shove an electric motor into a car that looks like this:

Attachment 243

I bet they'd be flying off the lots, and you *know* I'd be first in line .

By the way MetroMPG, why would an EV be illegal to drive anyways? Priuses have electric motors and even disabled people ride their electric scooters on the roads from time to time.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Peakster

Bt the way MetroMPG, why would an EV be illegal to drive anyways? Priuses have electric motors and even disabled people ride their electric scooters on the roads from time to time.

Not all EV's are illegal to drive in Ontario. The ForkenSwift will be road legal.

NEV's are a legally defined class of vehicle, different from OEM bought or converted cars. NEV's don't meet the crash standards of OEM based EV's (like the EV1 or Toyota Rav4 EV, or a hobbyist EV conversion made on an OEM chassis), thus the legally restricted speed of 25 mph (in places where they're permitted).

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

NEV's are a legally defined class of vehicle, different from OEM bought or converted cars. NEV's don't meet the crash standards of OEM based EV's... thus the legally restricted speed of 25 mph (in places where they're permitted).

Ah, I see now. It's a whole new breed of vehicular transportation.

[Rstb88]

We need more vehivles like the bugE, classified as a motorcylcle can go faster and thus legal on more roads. With better technology it is our solution to NEVs.

[GasSavers_Ryland]

My family has been looking for some sort of EV for a while now, but our town has two state highways going thru it that dubble as city streets, the university has a number of those small japanise made vans, and trucks that are alowed to drive on city streets, but only crose state highways, simaler to how ATV's and tractors are alowed on city streets, but they are banned from doing anything but crossing state highways, making it impissible to get a vehicle like that the 1.5 mile from down town to my house, NEV's would have simaler limitations, mopeds, motorcycle based vehicles, electric bicycles, and motorcycles how ever are not restriced at all.

[cfg83]

Peakster -

Originally Posted by Peakster

...

I bet they'd be flying off the lots, and you *know* I'd be first in line .

Bt the way MetroMPG, why would an EV be illegal to drive anyways? Priuses have electric motors and even disabled people ride their electric scooters on the roads from time to time.

What car is this? A "Ford Fiero" or something? It's most righteous.

CarloSW2

[Peakster]

Attachment 245

Its a Ghia ME3000, made in the early 80s I believe (before the Fiero). Rumour has it that this car almost made it to production. The company made a whole bunch of concept city cars too, way ahead of its time.

[cfg83]

Peakster -

Originally Posted by Peakster

Attachment 245

Its a Ghia ME3000, made in the early 80s I believe (before the Fiero). Rumour has it that this car almost made it to production. The company made a whole bunch of concept city cars too, way ahead of its time.

Ahhhhhhh, a Ghia. I should have known. Now I want to go trolling around on the Russian concept car website.

CarloSW2

[Lug_Nut]

Didn't they make it? That picture has a lot of cues that made me thinking it was a prototype that ended up as the Aussie-built Mercury XR-2 that we had for a few years.