TITLE
Recommendation to respectfully request that the City Council refer the use of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV's) on City streets to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Environmental Committee for their review and recommendations for implementation in Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
A number of cities across the United States are enacting ordinances to allow residents to utilize "neighborhood electric vehicles" (NEVs) that are self propelled low-speed, noise free motor vehicles as a way for residents to save the cost of gasoline. Additionally, many cities are beginning to switch a portion of their fleet to these vehicles because of their fuel efficiency and low cost.
The NEVs must conform to the definition and requirements for low-speed vehicles as adopted in the federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles. The vehicles must be 4-wheeled and have a speed range of at least 20 miles per hour and not more than 25 miles per hour on a paved surface, and have a gross vehicle weight at rest of less than 2,500 pounds. Neighborhood electric vehicles do not include electric golf carts and must have:
a. Headlamps.
b. Front and rear turn signals.
c. Stop lamps.
d. Reflex reflectors: one red on each side as far to the rear as practicable, and one red on the rear.
e. An exterior mirror mounted on the driver's side and either an exterior mirror on the passenger
side or an interior rearview mirror.
f. Parking brake.
g. Windshield that conforms to the requirements of the federal motor vehicle safety standard on
glazing materials.
h. A vehicle identification number that complies with federal law.
i. A type 1 or type 2 seatbelt assembly conforming to the federal motor safety standard for each
designated seating position.
NEVs must be registered, titled and licensed by the state of California. To use a neighborhood electric vehicle on the streets of cities, the operator shall have a valid driver's license. A lic...
Click here for full text