CT&T Reports $400M In Orders For 38,000 EVs

At the Tokyo Motor Show last week South Korea based CT&T announced orders and distribution agreements worth $400 million for 38,000 of its e-Zone EVs.  The e-Zone is configured as an LSV for the US market but can have a top speed of 44 mph. The vehicle’s range is 41 and 68 miles with the lead-acid and lithium in battery packs respectively.

The vehicles are expected to begin shipping next month with 27,000 bound for the US.  Another 5,000 are headed for Canada, 4,000 for Japan and 2,000 for Taiwan.  This production volume is expected to be fulfilled at the end of first quarter 2010.  The vehicles will be delivered as complete units until CT&T’s Regional Assembly and Sales Systems(RAS) are developed.  The company is currently looking in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas to locate two such regional assembly and distribution centers.  Learn more:  Greencarcongress.com

Canada’s Ministry of Transportation Approves LSV Test Project

Pelee Island in Ontario will be the location for Canada’s Ministry of Transportation’s pilot project to assess the use of LSVs on public roads.  The island has no traffic lights and only a few hundred year round residents but the population swells to over a thousand during the summer.  The experiment is slated to run through 2014 after which recommendations will be made about allowing LSVs in mixed traffic.  Besides insurance and registration the vehicles will also need a slow moving vehicle sign on the back. Learn more:  windsorstar.com

Road Use Regulations Round Up

This round up features some action in Canada, Wisconsin, Colorado and some other states as well as signs of growing interest in medium speed vehicle regulations.

Grand Chute, WI – Town asking state for help regarding the use of NEVs on some of the many roads under state jurisdiction that criss-cross the city.

Loveland, CO – House Bill 1026, which would allow neighborhood electric vehicles on public highways, passed the Judiciary Committee and will be going to a House vote.

North Vancouver, Canada – City council rejects staff recommendations to wait for additional LSV safety standards before allowing vehicles on roads.

Sedona, AZ – Public transportation commission recommends feasibility study to look at NEVs as a public transportation option.

British Columbia, Canada – Motor vehicle regulations amended to allow incidental use of roads by utility vehicles during their normal off-road use.

Kennebunk, ME – ZAP Xebra three-wheeled truck doesn’t pass registration as a motorcycle and therefore cannot be legally driven. Amendment to address issue in process.

Flower Mound, TX – Transportation commission is urged to look at LSV regulations in anticipation of increased usage of the vehicles.

Denver, CO – State Senate bill aims to create uniform road use regulations for LSVs

South Daytona, FL – After a favorable feasibility study, city officials are moving ahead on allowing golf carts to be used on city streets.

Manitoba, Canada – Manitoba province is looking at enacting similar legislation as Ontario and Quebec to allow LSVs on public roads.

Merrill, WI – City officials are drafting legislation to allow NEVs on public roads with speed limits of 35mph or less

Medium Speed Vehicle Regulations – At the end of February nine states were considering medium speed vehicle laws: Hawaii, New Mexico, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Georgia and Colorado. Speed limits proposed ranged from 35mph to 50 mph with most at 45 mph. Five states who have already adopted MSEV laws include Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Connecticut – Some State Representatives are pushing to legalize NEVs

Vancouver Allows LSVs

Vancouver city councilors just passed legislation allowing the use of LSVs on city streets with a speed limit of 50 km/hr. This makes Vancouver the first major city in Canada to allow LSV use. More info.