Loophole to import foreign electric cars to U.S.?

[mpghunter]

Im really want to import an electric Nissan NV200 into the U.S. Has anyone heard of any loopholes ect, to import a foreign car younger than 25 years old? Im guessing that since its a "Green Vehicle" there my be some loophole to import one, if I jump through enough hoops. With these gas prices, its ridiculous that an electric or hybrid cargo van, doesn't exist in the U.S.

[rmay635703]

Only 2 legal ways I know of, one is easy the other extraordinarily hard for an individual.

NEV Laws (and the sister LSV/ATV) laws are the only way to semi bypass US crash regulations on “newer” vehicles, you would need proof of speed being limited to 25mph

Older than 25 year old vehicle (you can freely import antiques)


There will be others who will tell you there are other legal ways and they are lying.
There are not reasonable methods of importing directly intact unless the manufacturer crash tested the vehicle and will provide a letter of compliance, only car in this wierd category is the VW LUPO, and the Fed craps its pants if you try to bring in a LUPO despite it passing our local tests due to no letter of conformity from the manufacturer


As for “illegal “ you need to order the vehicle as parts, car half’s are a common way to get a FWD vehicle semi intact.
Then to get registered you likely have to move everything over to a legal vin vehicle (preferably same age and platform) as either home built or a kit car which are legal in specific parts of the country under a patchwork of random local laws.


One vehicle I would like to import is the Japanese Nissan e-power Note due to it sharing a platform in this country.

[mpghunter]

interesting. I have actually titled a few kit cars. Some Fiero based Lamorghini replicas, and a Chysler Sebring based Bentley replica. They got a new vin and classified as an assembled vehicle.They were street legal. Would be interesting if I could do that with an nv200. I think the platform is similar to the Nissan leaf. The 62kwh battery pack in an electric NV200 would be a dream.

[oil pan 4]

Just buy one and try to register it.
Say just tell the dmv it's that other Nissan minivan.

[freebeard]

What is there about the NV200 that appeals to you?

If I had a few kit cars completed, I would look to doing an EV conversion of a clean Previa.

[hayden55]

The neighbor did the Puerto Rico rule. But it has to sit in Puerto Rico for 2 years before you can register it in Puerto Rico and then reciprocate your registration to the mainland in the state of your choice.

[mpghunter]

Originally Posted by freebeard

What is there about the NV200 that appeals to you?

If I had a few kit cars completed, I would look to doing an EV conversion of a clean Previa.

I currently drive a Ford transit connect. These small vans are incredible practical. I can haul large objects in them. And I also have a camper set up i put in it for travel and camping trips. Unlike a minivan, you can sit up very straight inside. The E-NV200 would save me allot of money on fuel costs. And I could run the A/C when parked for camping, while using little energy.

[mpghunter]

Originally Posted by hayden55

The neighbor did the Puerto Rico rule. But it has to sit in Puerto Rico for 2 years before you can register it in Puerto Rico and then reciprocate your registration to the mainland in the state of your choice.

Interesting. I will look into that.

[freebeard]

Apparently the [JDM] Estima is more popular for aero kit than the Previa, but they're the same:


https://www.mzspeed.co.jp/products/body-kit/catalog/12

That stance and an EV converston would go well together. For camping, maybe an air/hydraulic lift.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

it sharing a platform in this country

So did the NV200, rebadged in the USDM as Chevrolet City Express.