Local Use Vehicle (LUV) Pilot Project: Demonstrating Public and Commercial Applications
Local Use Vehicle (LUV) Pilot Project:
Demonstrating Public and Commercial Applications
Sponsored by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments
Funded by AQMD's Technology Advancement Office
The South Bay Cities Coucil of Governments (SBCCOG) has a grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to demonstrate how Local Use Vehicles (LUV) can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and gasoline consumption. Local Use Vehicles include a number of different technologies, including Segway and electric scooters. This pilot will focus on neighborhood electric vehicles.
The Project
- The SBCCOG will purchase six vehicles to loan for specified periods at no cost to residents and businesses in the South Bay for their frequent use.
- Will run from July 1, 2009 for two years until June 30, 2011 - Vehicles will be available to loan after September 2009.
- Will focus on the neighborhoods around Riviera Village in Redondo Beach and El Segundo.
- Will produce a Driver's Kit that will help participants with rules, 35 mph routes, and emergencies as well as instructions for maintenance - like charging.
- A web site will be developed for all LUV drivers in the South Bay.
The Participants
- Participants must be over 18, have a valid California Drivers License, and auto insurance (the project will provide additional insurance coverage.)
- Drivers selected for participation will be asked to maintain a daily log of their experiences, preferences and problems.
Some likely users include:
- People who work within a few miles of their home.
- Businesses who deliver to within a few miles of their store, like pizza shops and pharmacies.
- Retired people who continue to drive but want to drive a small, slow, safe vehicle.
- Condominium owners or residents who can share a vehicle with other tenants.
The Vehicles:
- Will be equipped with GPS for tracking their use.
- Are 100% electric and can be charged in a few hours by plugging into a regular 110 outlet. Charge cables are included.
- Have a maximum speed limit of 25 MPH but can be driven on streets posted at 35 MPH.
- They CANNOT be driven on streets with speed limits OVER 40 MPH but they can cross those streets
- Are about 1/2 to 2/3 the size of gasoline powered vehicles and so they require much less space for parking.
- Are engineered to be safe at their maximum allowable speed (25 MPH) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration does not require air bags.
- More than 16,000 NEVs are on the road today in California and they are available for purchase. The LUV program will provide information on the variety of neighborhood electric vehicles available on the market and where to purchase. Possible discounts will be negotiated.
South Bay Posted Speed Map
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PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LOCAL USE VEHICLE PRESENTATION
Resources:
Lincoln Neighborhood Vehicle Website: http://www.lincolnev.com/index.html
A site dedicated to providing information to
EV Trader: http://www.evtrader.com/forums/
A site dedicated on on-line forums
On-line community for
List of performance tests for various Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. Also available are three
Green Car Institute: http://www.greencars.org/studies.html
5 studies produced by the Green Car Institute including the Otay
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5330497/neighborhood-electric-vehicle
Rebates and Tax Credits:
Energy Star:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index#s3
Information and access to IRS forms 8910 and 3800 forms for federal tax rebates
Driveclean.ca.gov:
http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/Calculate_Savings/Incentives.php
Run by the California Air Resources Board and lists incentives and rebates available to consumers based on zip code or city.
Cars.gov:
Government program providing $3,500 to $4,500 to help consumers purchase or lease a new, more fuel efficient car when they trade in an old, less fuel efficient vehicle:
For more information, send an email to: info@southbaycities.org
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