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Home My WebLink About2017-08-07; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Use of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) and Golf Carts on Public RoadCITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: August 7, 2017 ITEM NO. 6-B LOCATION: Citywide INITIATED BY: Staff REQUESTED ACTION: Information only. Clarify legal operations of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV) and golf carts on public roads. BACKGROUND: Concerns about global climate change include the potential effects of excessive greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. The City of Carlsbad recently approved the Climate Action Plan (CAP) that identified the following measure the city can implement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: “Promote an Increase in the Amount of Zero-Emissions Vehicle Travel.” The CAP supports the use of zero-emission vehicles with the following objectives: • provide electric charging stations for the general public, • dedicate public parking spaces, and • adopt ordinances for charging stations in new residential developments. This report reviews California Vehicle Code (CVC) regulations that define and govern the use of zero-emission vehicles classified as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) and golf carts. California Vehicle Code (CVC) Definition of Vehicles Regular Motor Vehicles (Highway-Legal Passenger Vehicle) Most vehicles driven in California are allowed to legally operate on state highways after they have been: • certified to fully meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVS) standards • registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles and assigned a 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEVs) An NEV is treated as a “Low-Speed Vehicle” in the CVC (§§385.5, 21250). To get registered as an NEV the vehicle must be designed to: • operate with 4 wheels contacting the pavement • reach a speed of 20 miles per hour (mph) within one mile on a paved level surface • operate at no more than 25 mph • transport no more than four (4) passengers including the driver • have a vehicle weight under 3,000 pounds • include certain equipment (see Table 1) and meet modified FMVS standards for NEVs • be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles and assigned a VIN Golf Carts A Golf Cart is defined in the CVC (§345) as a motorized vehicle that is not required to meet specific safety standards, does not require to be registered and must generally follow the equipment requirements of a motorcycle (§24001.5). The CVC defines a golf cart as a vehicle that is designed to: • operate with at least 3 wheels • carry golf equipment • operate at no more than 15 mph • transport no more than two (2) passengers including the driver • have a vehicle weight under 1,300 pounds • meet the equipment standards established by the California Highway Patrol for a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, and motor driven cycle (CHP 888) • DMV registration is not required (i.e., no VIN needed) if operated within one mile of a golf course. Modifications • If an NEV is modified to operate above 25 mph the vehicle will need to be required to meet the FMVS standard for a highway-legal passenger vehicle in order to legally operate on a public road. • A golf cart cannot be modified for registration purposes as an NEV. A golf cart modified to operate above 15 mph or transport more than 2 people (including the driver) will need to be required to meet the FMVS standard for a highway-legal passenger vehicle in order to operate legally on a public road. California Vehicle Codes (CVCs) Regulating Use of NEVs and Golf Carts on Public Roads Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEVs) The driver of an NEV must have a valid driver’s license and have proof of adequate insurance. An NEV is allowed to operate on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. Unless the local authority has taken appropriate action, an NEV must cross state highways only at controlled intersections; while an NEV can cross any other type of public road (regardless of the posted speed limit) at any intersection of approximately 90 degrees. An NEV can be operated as a golf cart within a distance of one mile from a golf course or on roads designated for such operation by ordinance or resolution by a local authority. A local authority can, by ordinance or resolution, restrict or prohibit the use of NEVs on public roads. Golf Carts In general a golf cart cannot be legally driven on a public road or bicycle facility (§21209) unless the local agency has adopted an ordinance or resolution allowing this use and appropriate signs are posted; the agency must limit the operation of golf carts to: • roads located within one-mile of a golf course • roads with a maximum speed limit of 25 mph • crossings on roadways: a) immediately adjacent to golf courses and b) with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less Table 1: Use of Golf Carts and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) on Public Roads Item Golf Cart Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) Vehicle Speed Cannot operate above 15 mph Cannot operate above 25 mph and must be able to achieve 20 mph speed Equipment Required • Front/rear turn signal indicators • At least one headlamp, tail lamp, and stop lamp • Rearview mirror • Safety glazed windshield with windshield wipers • Reflectors on the rear, front and side of vehicle • Horn • Fenders Generally the same as a golf cart plus: • Seat belts (lap only, or lap and shoulder) • Parking brake Default Road Restrictions Cannot be used on public roads unless a resolution or ordinance has been adopted by the local authority (City Council). Cannot drive on roads with speed limit above 35 mph unless a neighborhood electric vehicle transportation plan has been adopted by the local authority. Vehicle Registration Not required if driven within one mile of a golf course Registration required and must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety (FMVS) standards. Certification and VIN No applicable FMVS standard and cannot be given a VIN Meets modified FMVS standards and given a VIN Modification If modified to travel above 15 mph or seat more than 2 people, it is treated like a regular passenger vehicle (i.e., cannot be upgraded to an NEV) If modified to travel in excess of 25 mph treated like a regular passenger vehicle Pertinent CVC Codes CVC §§345, 4019, 21114.5, 21115, 21115.1, 21209, 21716, 24001.5 CVC §§385.5, 2115, 21250-21266, 21266 RECOMMENDATION: Information only. NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION: None. Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) and Golf Cart Use on Public Roads August 7, 2017 Definition of a Golf Cart •3 or 4 wheels and designed to carry golf equipment •Limited operation to no more than 15 mph •transport no more than 2 passengers including the driver •vehicle weight under 1,300 pounds •meet the CHP equipment standards for a motorcycle (CHP 888) •DMV registration is not required 2 Required on a Golf Cart (based on CHP code for motorcycles) •Front/rear turn signal indicators •At least one headlamp, tail lamp, and stop lamp •Rearview mirror •Safety glazed windshield with windshield wipers •Reflectors on the rear, front and side of vehicle •Horn and Fenders 3 Required on an NEV •Basically an NEV is required to provide the same equipment previously listed for a golf cart •Seat belts (can be lap only) •Parking brake 4 Definition of a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) •4 wheels •Limited operation to no more than 25 mph •Must be able to reach 20 mph in one mile •transport no more than 4 passengers including the driver •vehicle weight under 3,000 pounds •meet modified FMVS equipment standards •DMV registration is required 5 Vehicle Modifications •NEV modified to operate above 25 mph required to fully meet the FMVS standards. •Golf cart modified to operate above 15 mph or transport more than 2 people required to fully meet the FMVS standards. •A golf cart cannot be modified for registration purposes as an NEV. 6 Golf Cart Operations •Cannot be legally driven on a public road or bicycle facility unless local agency takes action and posts signs •The agency must limit the operation of golf carts to: –roads located within one-mile of a golf course –roads with a maximum speed limit of 25 mph –crossings on roadways: a) immediately adjacent to golf courses and b) with a posted speed limit of 45 mph or less 7 NEV Operations •driver must have a valid driver’s license and insurance •allowed on roads with speed limit of 35 mph or less •must cross state highways at controlled intersections •can cross any other public road regardless of the posted speed limit •local authority can prohibit use of NEVs on public roads 8