SB12-013, Low-Speed Electric Vehicles

SB12-013

LOW-SPEED ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Senator Schwartz, Representative Jones

Staff Name: Laura Brown

What the Bill Does:
SB12-013 amends current law allowing low-speed electric vehicles to operate on roadways with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less to allow low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) to operate on roadways with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or less.

Colorado Context:
Current law §42-4-109.51 allows low-speed vehicles to operate on roadways with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Low-speed electric vehicles are allowed to cross a roadway with a speed limit higher than 35 miles per hour, so long as the road gradient does not increase and the vehicle is continuing on a road with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. SB12-013 would amend the law so that low-speed electric vehicles could travel on roads with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or less, and allow them to cross roads with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or higher so long as the gradient does not increase. The law applies to vehicles that are primarily powered by electricity, have at least three wheels in contact with the ground, and displays a vehicle identification number as pursuant to state law.

National Context: 

• • Many states allow low-speed vehicles on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, including the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah2
  • In Maryland, a low speed vehicle is considered to be a four-wheeled vehicle that has a maximum speed above 20 miles per hour but below 25 miles per hour and is not a golf cart. Such vehicles are allowed on roads with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less3.
  • Minnesota has two different classifications of low-speed vehicles: neighborhood electric vehicles, which have a maximum speed of between 20-25 miles per hour; and medium-speed vehicles, which have a top speed of 35 miles per hour. Neither can be operated on a road with a speed limit above 35 miles per hour4.
  • Federal law 49 CFR §571.500 defines low-speed vehicles as those which are not capable of traveling over 25 miles per hour and are equipped with the proper equipment, such as headlights, to make them safe for operation on public roads5

Bill Provisions:

• Changes current law allowing low-speed electric vehicles on roadways with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less to allow low-speed electric vehicles on roadways with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or less.

Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal at the state level for purposes of appropriation. However, local government costs could increase because it may be necessary for counties to put up new road signs or publish guidance in accordance with this change in the law.

Sponsor’s Comments: 

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1 http://www.michie.com/colorado
2 http://www.iihs.org/laws/LowSpeedVehicles.aspx
3 http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Resources/VR-324.pdf
4 http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/lowpower.pdf
5 http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.500