County wants to look at ways
to expand use of lower speed vehicles
posted 02/16/05
Proponents of low speed electric vehicles (LSVs) were pleased with the decision the San Juan County Council made on Feb. 14 to pursue policies and legislation which would allow the vehicles to be operated on more county roads. Under state and federal regulations, the vehicles, which can reach a top speed of 25 mph, are not allowed on any road with a posted speed limit higher than 35 mph.
Councilmember Kevin Ranker said, "I think this county should lead by example." He noted many people are actively pursuing solar energy and other alternative energy options. "I would like to have the board come forward with some kind of policy statement that clearly directs department heads, saying we support alternative energies and transportation."
"I am absolutely supportive of the idea of electric vehicles in our community," he said. "We need to put the safety of our citizens first and foremost. Some roads (LSVs) shouldn't be allowed." He would like to see a north/south route on San Juan island where the LSVs could be operated legally.
The council has asked county Prosecutor Randy Gaylord to research the legality of having two different speed limits on some county roads - a 34 mph limit for LSVs and a 45 mph limit for other vehicles.
"If it comes back we can't do split limits, this might be something we as a community can work on," Ranker said. The county could pursue legislation at the state level in 2007 to allow different regulations in San Juan County for the use of the LSVs, he said.
Friday Harbor resident Russel Sadler has spoken to the council at prior meetings on the subject. At the Feb. 14 meeting he said, "I am a three-year- newbie and I'm uncomfortable being the point man for this. But let's not drag our feet." He urged the council not to be dissuaded by people who have raised safety concerns.
Sadler told the council people who object to the presence of the LSVs on higher speed roads "have to get out of their belligerent attitude of 'I can go 45 mph, get out of my way'"
Sadler said, "I spent the last week driving the entire island every day in my Ford Taurus. I set my cruise control so I couldn't go over 25 mph. I was never in a position where I felt threatened by overtaking vehicles."
Councilmember Bob Myhr said people should be considering slowing down anyway. "There is no place to go in the islands that takes you more than a couple of minutes more. We need to think about our life and our lifestyle and what we are here for. We need to live and let live with a lot of different people using different vehicles," he said.
Councilmember Alan Lichter reminded everyone the governor has made alternative energy sources a top priority.
San Juan Island resident Aaron Hayes, who sells the GEM brand of LSVs, said, "I appreciate you guys moving forward with easing our dependency on foreign fuel and creating an option for people who have to traverse Beaverton Valley Road. I have to drive there every day to pick my child up from school.quot;
County asked again to change laws for slower vehicles
posted 2/9/2006
County councilmembers heard testimony Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2006 regarding lowering speed limits on all county roads to accommodate the owners of neighborhood electric vehicles. Aaron Hayes asked the council to consider a split zone speed limit similar to freeways where trucks have a lower speed limit than cars do.
Russel Sadler, who lives on a boat in Friday Harbor, has test driven a GEM for the past few weeks. "They are incredibly useful," he told the council. As a former driving instructor he understands the problems of vehicles operating at different speeds on the same road. "Skagit County has 'Share the Road' signs encouraging people to be considerate of slower-moving farm equipment, he said.
"I want you to know there are a bunch of us out there, including our president of the Oil Patch," Sadler said. Using the vehicles is "one step on the road to dealing with the oil addiction. Give us a chance. We'll deal with the problems as they arise. It is important for us to have a market."
Both speakers told the council the county has the authority to create its own laws regarding the operation of the vehicles.
In a letter to the editor councilmember Kevin Ranker said the council has no authority to change the regulations regarding the vehicles and has no intention of lowering speed limits.
County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord has reviewed the laws and has said it is clear the federal and state laws trump county regulations.
Lower speed limits to accommodate low-speed vehicles suggested
posted 1.25.2006
Drivers of low-speed electric vehicles (LSVs) want to be able to driver them on all county roads, not just the ones posted as 35 mph or less. Two people asked the county council to consider changing local laws to accommodate their request. Dwight Lewis of Lopez Island suggested the speed limits in the county be lowered to a maximum of 35 mph. Chuch McCarthy of San Juan Island is interested in seeing "groundbreaking by this county."
McCarthy told the county council the county has the ability to adopt local laws regarding the vehicles. He would like to see the LSVs allowed on all county raods. As a safety measure, the county could require display of a slow-moving vehicle emblems when the LSVs were driven on roads with 45 mph speed limits.
In an interview Tuesday afternoon, San Juan County Prosecutor Randy Gaylord said the county cannot adopt laws allowing the vehicles to be driven on roads with speed limits above 35 mph. State and federal law regarding the operation of the LSVs supercedes any county law. The county could choose to reduce the speed limits on the roads, he said.
The LSVs being sold on San Juan Island are GEM cars. They can reach a maximum speed of 25 mph.
Buyer be aware
posted 1/6/2006
Purchasers of electric vehicles need to be aware of the regulations which restrict their use. Using the vehicles on higher speed roads or modifying them to run faster than designed could open the driver up to felony criminal charges if a serious accident or fatality occurred, according to the Washington State Patrol.
The federal National Transportation Board created a new class of vehicles to accommodate the low-speed-vehicles (LSVs) which are designed to reach speeds of 25 mph and are allowed to run only on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less.
Modifying the Global Electric Motorcars (GEMS) so they can operate faster than 25 mph would void the warranty, according to the manufacturer.The vehicles are popular in planned communities, urban areas, warehouses, campuses, resorts and on military bases. In some planned communities, developers include a GEM with purchase of a home.
On San Juan Island, several rumors are circulating about the vehicles. For the record:
- It is not true that the state Dept. of Transportation is planning to reduce the maximum speed of roads in San Juan County to 35 mph. The DOT does not control the speeds of county roads.
- There is not a waiver to allow the drivers of LSVs to violate state law in San Juan County.
Electric cars for sale on San Juan Island
posted 1/1/2006
Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) are now available for sale on San Juan Island. The base price for the Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) brand on NEVs are restricted to streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less according to state law. GEMs are electronically limited to a top speed of 25 mph to meet federal low-speed-vehicle requirements.
The vehicles are popular in master planned communities, military bases and resorts. According to the GEM web site:
GEM's Neighborhood EVs have been designed with United States residential communities in mind. The vehicles are a new breed of supplemental local-use personal transportation. GEMS are great vehicles for short trips to the nearby grocery store, video store, or other nearby in-community destinations. If the destination is too far to walk, but too close to drive a big car - then it's likely perfect for the GEM.
The state Dept. of Licensing Web site states:
Licensed NEVs can be driven on roads in Washington with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. NEVs cannot cross any road with a speed greater than 35 mph unless that crossing begins and ends on a road with a speed of 35 mph or less, AND occurs at an intersection of approximately ninety degrees.
Aaron Hayes is selling the GEM cars on San Juan Island. He is working with Bellingham Chrysler. Potential customers can visit the GEM Web site to design their vehicle and then call Hayes at 378-7678.
Asked about speed restrictions in a phone interview, Hayes said he didn't believe they applied in the county. He said it was important that drivers don't impede traffic, but felt the vehicles could be used on all island roads.
Sheriff Bill Cumming said his office is checking the restrictions regarding the NEVs and will, of course, enforce the law.
County Commissioner Bob Myhr has spoken about the NEVs at recent county Commisioner meetings. He said Lopezians wanted the speed limit reduced on a road near Lopez Village in order to allow nearby residents to use the vehicles to go back and forth to the village.
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