Wisconsin Purchases 23 LSVs For State Parks

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently announced the purchase of 23 electric powered LSVs for use in 22 state parks.  The department purchased the vehicles from e-Ride Industries of Minnesota and Columbia ParCar of Wisconsin.  The vehicles have a utility vehicle configuration and feature enclosed cabs.  Parks management noted the low operating costs of the vehicles and lack of air pollution they produce.  Learn more:  NBC15.com

Wisconsin Launches UTV Trail Program

Wisconsin recently enacted a two year pilot program for use of utility vehicles on ATV trails that will run through June 30, 2012.  The legislation requires counties to pass resolutions to opt into the program so many trails are probably not open to utility vehicles as of yet.  Towns within counties may opt out of the program.  Key differences compared to the previous pilot program which ended in 2009 include:

• Different vehicle specifications, including requirements for factory equipped seatbelts and a roll bar, type device.
• ATV trails on state and national forest lands may not be participating.
• UTVs participating in the program will require Public Use – ATV registration, including for non-residents.
• All ATV laws will apply, except that operators age 16 and born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 must complete a DNR ATV Safety Education Course. Operators under age 16 are not allowed to operate a UTV.
• Driver’s licenses are not required

The program is being administered by the state’s Department of Natural Resources. Learn more:  DNR.wi.gov

Road Use Regulations Roundup – February, 2010

Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

• A lot of legislative of action at the state level as the new year began
• More public road access for mini-trucks and UTVs
• Legislation benefiting LSVs including increasing speed limits, lowering speed limits, removing legislative roadblocks and equipment requirements
• More public road access for golf cart

Nebraska – A recently introduced bill would permit the use of mini-trucks on all Nebraska roads except interstate highways, controlled-access highways and expressways. The bill also provides definitions for UTVs and mini-trucks. The story notes that mini-trucks would be used not only in rural areas but by lawn service providers in urban areas as well.

Indiana – The Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill which would allow the use of mini-trucks on local roads and state roads if properly titled and registered by the BMV. Mini-truck dealers must also register as a dealer in Indiana. The bill effectively creates a separate classification for mini-trucks which currently fall under the off-road vehicle category which includes UTVs, ATVs and golf cars.

Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Assembly Ag Committee unanimously passed the so-called “Gator Bill” which would allow light utility vehicles to be operated on roadways for agriculture use. The bill is expected to come to a vote shortly.

Mower County, MN - In the last week of December, the Mower County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance to license and allow mini-trucks on county roads. Under the new ordinance, the mini-trucks are allowed on township and county roads, but cities in the county need to pass separate ordinances.

Santa Rosa Beach, FL – A citizen group is proposing that the speed limit for an 18.5 mile stretch of county road 30A be lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph to accommodate the use of LSVs. There is some opposition to the change.

Wisconsin – A bill working its way through the Senate would give municipalities greater ability to permit neighborhood electric vehicles (“NEV”) on roads that connect to highways or cross state highways without obtaining state DOT approval.

Alaska – The Alaska State Legislature today passed a bill that allows expanded access for LSVs on certain roads in Alaska. The bill will allow low-speed electric vehicles on roads with posted speed limits of 45 mph or less. Current Alaska law only allows these vehicles to operate on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.

Fresno, CA – The legislative process has been started to allow the city of Fresno to seek permission from the state to develop a neighborhood electric vehicle plan. The plan would clear the way for special lanes, signs and other upgrades required to allow the mini-cars on more city streets.

Utah – Utah lawmakers will consider a bill that would allow low-speed vehicles go without a speedometer, odometer and braking for each wheel. According to the story Utah and Louisiana are the only states that require speedometers, odometers and brakes on all four wheels.

South Carolina – A House Subcommittee agreed Wednesday to allow a driver to operate a golf cart up to 5 miles from their home or business as opposed to the current 2 mile limit. The bill moved forward despite opposition from the State Public Safety Director but still has several hurdles to overcome before becoming law.

Dunedin, FL – City officials are looking into allowing golf carts on downtown roadways, in part to pro-actively address future parking problems.

Road Use Regulations Roundup – December

Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

• Continued passage of ordinances allowing  LSVs and/or golf cars on local streets
• Municipalities considering regulations that will allow the use of LSVs as taxis or rental vehicles
• Trends towards expansion or restriction, depending on the locality, regarding the use of UTVs and/or mini-trucks on public streets

Illinois – Effective January 2010 Illinois will allow low-speed vehicles on any road with a posted limit of 30 mph or lower, effective January 2010. Previously, individual communities had to adopt laws to permit the use of low-speed vehicles on local roads.

Orting, WA – Passed an ordinance to allow golf cars on city streets as part of a one year pilot program.

Manhattan, KS – Amendment allows citizens may operate golf carts and “work-site utility vehicles” on city streets marked with speed limits of 30 mph or less.

Austin, TX – City officials considering legislation that would allow the use of LSVs as taxis in downtown area.

Austin, MN – Responding to farmer requests, Mower County officials drafted an ordinance that allows the use of mini-trucks on county and township roads.

Ocean City, NJ – City council voted to allow local business to rent out LSVs.

Wisconsin – Two representatives from the state legislature are sponsoring a bill to allow the use of light utility vehicles on some public roads for agricultural purposes.

West Vancouver, CA – City officials pass ordinance allowing NEVs to be used on roads with speed limits of 50 km/hr or less.

Hamlin, West Virginia – Town council approved the changes to the town’s ordinance dealing with ATVs, utility-terrain-vehicles (UTVs) and off-road motorcycles that specifically prohibits the operation of the vehicles on any streets.

Oregon – Rule change requires that as of January 1, 2010 anyone under 18 years old riding in an off-highway vehicle such as a side by side will have to wear a helmet.

Efficiency & Renewable Energy Goals Drive LSV Sales

A recent story about the energy plans of a Wisconsin town highlight a continuing trend in the STOV market.  Whether it is municipalities, universities or federal agencies, the drive to more efficiently use energy and/or be more “green” is increasing the demand for electric powered low speed vehicles.  In this case, the replacement of fleet vehicles with NEVs is one of a number of initiatives that the town of Oconomowoc is using to reduce their energy consumption.  Learn more:  istockanalyst.com

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Ends Utility Vehicle Pilot Program

Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) pilot program that allowed utility vehicles to use ATV trails in five counties ended on September 30th. The results of the program must be reported to the legislature by January 1, 2010.  The five counties involved include Florence, Sawyer, Marinette, Lincoln, and Washburn.  Learn more:  wkowtv.com

Comment: The potential opening of more trails is important to the utility vehicle market.  The relative lack of trail access compared to ATVs is one reason some people point to as why utility vehicle sales may never surpass ATVs, although they have been stealing market share from ATVs over the years. – Marc Cesare

Road Use Regulations Roundup – May

Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

• Some cities are expanding road use regulations to include golf cars
• NEV road use ordinances continue to be passed by local municipalities although safety concerns remain an issue for some
• Demand is in increasing for allowing utility vehicles and mini-trucks on public roads
• Another state looking to adopt a medium speed vehicle law

North Carolina – Bill in the state assembly would add Currituck and New Hanover counties to a state law that allows golf cars on streets in several resort communities.

Pontiac, IL – Ordinance being drafted that would allow the use of modified golf cars as NEVs.

Normal, IL – Considering an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.

Merrill, WI – City council passed an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.

Colorado – House passed a bill that would allow NEVs on public highways.

Palm Desert, CA – Safety concerns have stalled a bill in the state legislature that would broaden the use of NEVs on city streets.

Minnesota – Legislation has passed both the state house and senate that would allow counties to permit the use of mini-trucks, but not on interstate and state highways.

New York – The state DMV issued an opinion that utility vehicles are not allowed on roads or ATV trails unless the law is changed.

New Strawn, KS – City council approved an ordinance that allows work-site utility vehicles and micro utility vehicles to be driven legally on city streets.

Cushing, OK – Passed an ordinance regulating the operation of mini bikes, golf carts, ATVs and utility vehicles on the streets and highways of the city.

Utah – Cities are debating allowing the use of mini-trucks on public roads. Since they are classified as street legal ATVs there is concern about allowing the use of all types of ATVs.

Oregon – Governor has introduced a transportation bill that creates a medium speed vehicle designation aimed at increasing the adoption of NEVs

NEV/LSV State Registration Volume Small But Showing High Growth

While the volume of NEV/LSV registrations are typically only in the hundreds on a state by state basis, they are demonstrating a high rate of growth. Not all states have a separate designation for NEVs/LSVs.

• According to the South Carolina DMV registrations of LSVs increased from 58 as of July 31, 2007 to 140 this year.
• The Wisconsin DOT reports that 68 vehicles have been registered through August, 2008 since last December’s passage of the state law allowing LSV use. The law requires state approval for instances where the vehicles cross state highways while traveling on local streets and this approval has been hard to come by.