GREENLEAF WILL REINTRODUCE ELECTRIC VEHICLE LEGISLATION 

HARRISBURG – Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf is seeking a law to allow operation of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) on certain roadways in Pennsylvania.

NEVs are defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as any four-wheeled electric vehicle with a top speed of more than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour.  The vehicles meet specific federal safety standards, but are not legal on Pennsylvania roads since they do not meet the state's inspection requirements for passenger vehicles.

Greenleaf is reintroducing his bill from last session to permit the operation of NEVs under certain circumstances in the state.  Twenty-seven other states permit their usage, according to the Electric Drive Transportation Association.

Under the legislation, such vehicles would be equipped with headlamps, stop and turn signal lamps, a windshield, a speedometer, an odometer, brakes for each wheel and seat belts.  NEVs would be operated on any road where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less and may cross through intersections of roadways where the posted speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour.  The low-speed electric vehicles would be considered passenger cars for the purpose of titling, registration and licensing.  Given that the NEVs meet federal safety standards, the vehicles would be exempt from state vehicle inspections and from emissions testing—since they produce no emissions.

Greenleaf said that use of the vehicles would be helpful in alleviating gasoline consumption and in reducing fuel emissions.  The vehicles are geared toward city and neighborhood transportation for short trips and errands.  The Pennsylvania Automotive Association is supportive of the Greenleaf legislation. 

Contact: Eric Pauley at epauley@pasen.gov or by calling 717-787-6599.