Canada’s most populous province is finally following the lead of British Columbia and Quebec in permitting low speed electric vehicles (LSV’s) to be driven on public roads.  Canada’s LSV class is based on the Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle class in the U.S., where 44 states permit their use (as of May 2008).

However, Ontario vehicles and their drivers will likely face additional regulations meant to address safety concerns raised in a government study released at the end of November.

“LSVs are a new kind of vehicle and it will take a new set of standards to allow them to be safely driven on Ontario roads,” said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.  “Based on the study results, we plan to announce LSV safety standards and the rules of the road for LSVs this winter.”

The study recommends the province require a number of additional measures for the vehicles and their drivers, such as:

• daytime running lights (failing that, drivers must keep their headlights on at all times)
• a notice affixed to the exterior of the vehicle indicating its maximum speed
• a slow moving vehicle sign
• three separate sound warning devices: horn, proximity warning system for pedestrians/cyclists, backup warning systems
• defrosting and heating systems
• three-point seat belts
• requirement that buyers sign a “Notice of Limitations” document at the time of sale that explains
  what the LSV’s performance and safety limitations are
• prohibition against carrying infants and children who require infant or child seats
• restricted to drivers with G class license or higher (ie. no new drivers in Ontario’s graduated licence system)
• no towing of any type of trailer
• on multi-lane roads, the LSV must drive in the right lane, except if making a left turn
• … and more (see NRC study pdf, below)

Both the federal and provincial governments have been under some pressure by the public and media for apparent foot-dragging on the issue of approving for sale and permitting this vehicle class on public roads.

Additional information:

Ontario To Permit Low-Speed Vehicles – Government of Ontario

Safe Integration of Electric Low Speed Vehicles on Ontario’s Roads in Mixed Traffic (pdf) – National Research Council of Canada

At first I thought the world had gone a little mad with people coughing up $100k for the electric Telsa Roaster, but now I guess I’ve seen it all. One inquisitive forum member recently checked the prices on used Honda Insights, which are going for about twice what they were a few years ago, and I thought that was nuts!

Well, evidently there really is a price premium being put on fuel efficient cars these days (or in this case, cars that don’t even use gas). This 2001 Rav4 EV, one of the few EVs made by the major manufacturers that escaped crushing after leases ran out, just sold on Ebay for a whopping $89,200. That’s almost as much as a brand new Tesla Roadster would cost, and more than many other electrics that are planning on being released in the near future.

This thing has definitely been used, at over 47k miles in the last 7 years, but that shouldn’t be any problem for the electric drivetrain. In fact, that’s encouraging, because unlike a lot of electric vehicles you see popping up for sale, you know this one has the range and recharge capabilities of handling a lot of miles if you need it to. The owner reports the range for this vehicle at over 100 miles, which is pretty good even by the standards of many concepts currently being discussed.

Nevertheless, at $89,200, do you think it’s worth it?

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