Low-speed vehicle

File:Squad Solar Car (Fully Charged 2022).jpg
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle ]]

In the United States and Canada, low-speed vehicle (LSV) regulations allow relaxed design and registration laws for four-wheel vehicles that have a maximum capable speed of about {{convert|25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |title=Low-Speed Vehicles {{!}} GEM LSVs |url=https://www.gemcar.com/low-speed-vehicles/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=GEM - Electric Vehicles |language=en-US}} Several other countries have similar regulations.

Canada

Under Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations, a low-speed vehicle is defined as a vehicle, other than an all-terrain vehicle, a truck or a vehicle imported temporarily for special purposes, that is powered by an electric motor, produces no emissions, is designed to travel on 4 wheels and has an attainable speed in 1.6 km of more than {{convert|32|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} but not more than {{convert|40|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} on a paved level surface.{{cite web |title=Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations |url=http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/m/mvsa/regulations/mvsrg/001/mvsr1-21.html |website=www.tc.gc.ca |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213194848/http://www.tc.gc.ca/acts-regulations/GENERAL/m/mvsa/regulations/mvsrg/001/mvsr1-21.html |archivedate=13 February 2007 |url-status=dead}}

Low-speed vehicles are currently street legal in British Columbia,{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Transport |date=2016-02-16 |title=Question and answer for Low-Speed Vehicles |url=https://tc.canada.ca/en/question-answer-low-speed-vehicles |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=Transport Canada |language=en-CA}} Quebec,{{Cite web |last=SAAQ |title=Low-Speed Vehicles |url=https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/modes-transportation/low-speed-vehicle |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=SAAQ |language=en}} and Ontario.{{Cite web |title=Low-speed vehicle pilot program |url=http://www.ontario.ca/page/low-speed-vehicle-pilot-program |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=ontario.ca |language=en}}

SC Carts was the first Canadian manufacturer to begin producing street legal low-speed vehicles.{{Cite web |title=Custom Electric Vehicles & Golf Carts {{!}} SC Carts {{!}} Vernon BC |url=https://www.sccarts.ca/ |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=sc-carts |language=en}}

France

Quadricycles (the EU vehicle classification covering this type of vehicle) can be driven without a car licence, and are known as voitures sans permis (VSP), literally “cars without licence”. Despite this name, drivers must first sit a written road-safety exam, and be at least 14 years old before legally being allowed to drive this type of vehicle.

Philippines

The Philippines Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has created a Low-Speed Vehicle category for four--wheeled motor vehicles that use alternative fuel (such as electricity) and have a maximum speed of {{convert|40|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}.

This regulation was created for the E-jeepney electric-powered minibuses, which were introduced in 2007. The E-jeepney carries 17 passengers and can run 120 km on an 8-hour charge from an electric outlet.[http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/216052,electric-minibuses-start-commercial-operations-in-philippines.html earthtimes.org, Electric minibuses start commercial operations in Philippines][http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=police1_june30_2008 manilastandardtoday.com, Enforcers to drive E-jeeps][http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=123671 Abs-Cbn Interactive, E-jeepneys debut on Manila streets]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

United States

File:Tiger Star van low-speed vehicle.jpg

File:2019 Moke America eMoke, front left (Amagansett).jpg by Chery/MOKE International/Cruise Car|260x260px]]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published safety guidelines in the United States which apply to vehicles operating in the 20–25 mile-per-hour speed range.{{cite web |url=http://legis.delaware.gov/lis/lis144.nsf/vwlegislation/SB+17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716205449/http://legis.delaware.gov/lis/lis144.nsf/vwlegislation/SB+17 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |title=www.legis.delaware.gov - Official web site of First State Legislature}} Low-speed vehicles are defined as a four-wheeled motor vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than {{convert|3000|lb}} and a top speed of between {{convert|20|and|25|mph|abbr=on}}.49 CFR § 571.3 - [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=f8cfc2908578de72417aaae5b8ca7d9b&rgn=div8&view=text&node=49:6.1.2.3.37.1.7.2&idno=49 US Code of Federal Regulations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505075808/http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=f8cfc2908578de72417aaae5b8ca7d9b&rgn=div8&view=text&node=49:6.1.2.3.37.1.7.2&idno=49 |date=2009-05-05 }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/571.500.htm |title=FMCSA - Regulation: 571.500 |accessdate=2008-07-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018114511/http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/571.500.htm |archivedate=2008-10-18 }}

States which have specific regulations for LSVs include Alaska,{{cite web |title=Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways |url=https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/6177 |website=www.energy.gov |accessdate=3 December 2018 |language=en}} California,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5807/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Indiana,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5584/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Iowa, {{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5881/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Kansas,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5588/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Louisiana, {{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5656/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Maine{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5660/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Maryland,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5837/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Missouri,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5765/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} New York,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/6112/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Oregon,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5985/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Rhode Island,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5971/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} South Carolina,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5954/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Tennessee,{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5755/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} Utah{{cite web |url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/5433/0 |title = Alternative Fuels Data Center: Federal and State Laws and Incentives}} and Washington, DC.{{Cite web|title=Non-Traditional Motor Vehicles and DC Law|url=https://dmv.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dmv/publication/attachments/Non-Traditional%20Motor%20Vehicle%20Chart%20%283.24.21%29.pdf}}

Nearly all 50 states allow LSVs, also called Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), to drive on their roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/lowspeedvehicles/mapwherepermittedlsvs|title=Map: roads on which low-speed vehicles are permitted|website=www.iihs.org|access-date=2017-01-15}}Saporito, Bill. "Slow Riders. Souped-up golf carts hit the streets", Time magazine, August 22, 2011, p. 52 Either they follow FMVSS500 (25 mph top speed on 35 mph limit roads), or make their own more aggressive law. Because of federal law, car dealers cannot legally sell the vehicles to go faster than {{convert|25|mph|abbr=on}},{{cite web |title=63 FR 33913, June 17, 1998 |url=https://one.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/lsv/lsv.html |website=www.nhtsa.gov |accessdate=3 December 2018}} but the buyer can easily modify the car to go {{convert|35|mph|abbr=on}}. However, if modified to exceed {{convert|25|mph|abbr=on}}, the vehicle then becomes subject to additional safety requirements.

These speed restrictions, combined with a typical driving range of {{convert|30|mi|km}} per charge and a typical three-year battery durability, are required because of a lack of federally mandated safety equipment and features which NEVs cannot accommodate because of their design. To satisfy federal safety requirements for manufacturers, NEVs must be equipped with three-point seat belts or a lap belt, running lights, headlights, brake lights, reflectors, rear view mirrors, and turn signals;{{cite web |title=Low- and medium-speed vehicles |url=https://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/low--and-medium-speed-vehicles/topicoverview |website=www.iihs.org |accessdate=3 December 2018}} windshield wipers are not required. In many cases, doors may be optional, crash protection from other vehicles is partially met compared to other non-motorized transport such as bicycles because of the use of seat belts. In 2011, a Time magazine article concluded that the lack of passenger safety protection made most LSVs unfit for city driving, despite their excellent maneuverability.

= Short commute vehicles =

Short commute vehicle (SCV) is a term sometimes used for vehicles that are used for regular trips of {{convert|10|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} or less. The term "ultra small vehicle" is also used for similar styles of vehicle.{{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=William J. |title=Reinventing the Automobile: Personal Urban Mobility for the 21st Century |date=2010 |publisher=MIT Press |isbn=9780262288569 |page=178 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=32Nbb26J9iEC&q=Reinventing+the+Automobile |accessdate=15 December 2018}}

SCVs are faster than {{convert|3|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}—walking pace—and not regulated by other Motor Vehicle Legislation. It would include vehicles regulated under FMVSS500 (USA Low Speed Vehicle Regulation), CMVSS500 (Canadian Low Speed Vehicle Regulation) and certain L-category vehicles (Quadricycle L6 and L7) in the EU. Battery electric vehicles (BEV) are highly suited as Short Commute Vehicles due to their inherent short operating range; however, SCVs do not have to be BEVs.

Since 2010, the American Association of Retired Persons and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have expressed concerns about mixed traffic flows including this class of vehicle.{{cite web |title=Policy and Design Considerations for Accommodating Low-Speed Vehicles and Golf Carts in Community Transportation Networks |url=https://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/ppi/liv-com/insight54.pdf |website=www.aarp.org |accessdate=13 December 2018 }}[http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/low-speed-vehicles-and-minitrucks-shouldnt-share-busy-public-roads-with-regular-traffic Low Speed Vehicles and Minitrucks shouldn't share busy Public Roads with Regular Traffic]

China

{{See also|New energy vehicles in China#Low-speed vehicles and other modes}}

References

fr:Voiture sans permis