Medium-Speed Electric Vehicles

I am trying to get a bill sponsored to allow a new type of electric vehicle, a medium speed electric vehicle. A medium speed electric vehicle is similar to the low speed electric vehicle already allowed by federal law except they can go between 30 and 35 MPH and can travel on roads with speed limits posted 45 MPH and lower.

I feel that this vehicle would provide an exceptional alternate mode of transportation for many people, especially senior citizens living in urban areas. With the current high gas prices and more increase to come we all need relief; I felt this was a good option. It's also an eco friendly choice. I am trying to reach out to gain support having others contact their representatives about this issue.

Please note that I am not a lobbyist nor do I have a vested interest in the electric vehicle industry. I am just a private citizen trying to make a difference.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Hinegardner on July 27, 2008 at 4:52am: SJC,

I agree. I don't see MSEVs as a solution for everyone or a solution to the energy problem. I see it as just one facet to the solution. My case for example, I currenty have two vehicles but my wife and I only drive one of them to work and around town aboutr 80% of the time. A MSEV would meet most of our urban driving requirements. I would still keep my other vehicle for out of town trips and cargo hauling.

If I really had my druthers I would perfer the Aptera (www.aptera.com) or VentureOne (www.flytheroad.com). Only problem is Aptera is only build for California and the VentureOne is not yet in production. MSEVs are vehicles that came come to market now.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Keith Britton on February 23, 2009 at 1:46pm: One approach to the question of viable electric vehicle types is to look at a variety of needs and constraining factors, then quantize to the smallest number of types needed to span the needs/markets. Obvious factors are performance, cost, range, and occupant protection. Less obvious are required infrastructure cost and practicability, notably regarding time frame, and technical advance projections.

For a hybrid public/private city transportation scheme, useful range may be quite short, and the existing Neighborhood EV rules and performance may suffice. (Consider a map of the SanFrancisco Bay Area. Two miles range is enough to reach nearly anywhere from BART, Rail or freeway based bus transit.) Even a 10 mile battery range might be enough, and 20 almost certainly so. Such vehicle can be simplified to maker it very cheap.

For a commuter, probably freeway speeds are necessary, with appropriate personnel protection, full head and running lights, brakes and suspension etc., because highways have been built such that there is rarely a viable commute route which does not involve a high speed road. Range may still be fairly short, but owners of fairly expensive vehicles will want the ability to travel further. Beyond those classes lies the territory of the electric equivalent of gas powered vehicles and the hybrids. Is there room for a class intermediate between the NEV and the electric commuter?

Range can be rendered flexible by battery standardization, standard quick change design, and provision of swap stations, as promoted by Shay Agassis. Design a standard battery for the NEV/City Center vehicles, use two or more for the commuter and/or a larger standard battery type depending on desired performance. If there is a slot for a medium speed EV rather than a commuter EV, it probably needs careful justification in terms of safety, plus likely infrastructure investment in road changes to separate it from faster traffic.; ▶ Reply to This