AB 225, as amended, Nestande. Medium-speed electric vehicles.
Existing law defines “low-speed vehicle” as a motor vehicle, other than a motor truck, with 4 wheels that is capable of a minimum speed of 20 miles per hour and a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface and that has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds. Existing law imposes certain restrictions on the use of low-speed vehicles on public streets and highways, and generally requires an operator of a low-speed vehicle to have a driver’s license. A violation of these provisions is a crime.
This bill would authorize the operation of a medium-speed electric vehicle, as defined, at speeds of no more thanbegin delete 35end deletebegin insert 45end insert miles per
hour on a roadway with a speed limit that does not exceed 45 miles per hour.begin delete The bill would require that the driver of a medium-speed electric vehicle possess a class A, class B, or class C driver’s
license.end deletebegin insert The bill would require a medium-speed electric vehicle to meet certain safety requirements, including specified Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.end insert The bill would make, subject to exceptions, a medium-speed electric vehicle subject to all the laws applicable to a motor vehicle, and the driver of a medium-speed electric vehicle subject to all the laws applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle or other vehicle, as specified. Because it is unlawful and constitutes an infraction for any person to violate, or fail to comply with any provision of the Vehicle Code, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 21251 of the Vehicle Code is amended
2to read:
Except as provided in Chapter 6.2 (commencing with
4Section 1962), Chapter 7.1 (commencing with Section 1964),
5Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1965), and Chapter 8.1
6(commencing with Section 1966) of Division 2.5 of the Streets
7and Highways Code, and Sections 4023, 21115, and 21115.1, a
8low-speed vehicle or medium-speed electric vehicle is subject to
9all of the
laws applicable to a motor vehicle, and the driver of a
10low-speed vehicle or medium-speed electric vehicle is subject to
11all of the laws
applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle or other
12vehicle, when applicable, by this code or another code, with the
13exception of those laws that, by their very nature, can have no
14application.
Article 7 (commencing with Section 21290) is
17added to Chapter 1 of Division 11 of the Vehicle Code, to read:
For purposes of this article, a “medium-speed electric
4vehicle” means a vehicle that has all of the following
5characteristics:
6(a) Is capable of speeds of at least 30 miles per hour, but not
7more than 35 miles per hour.
8(b) Possesses a fully enclosed passenger compartment with rigid
9doors and safety windows.
10(a) Can attain a speed, in one mile, of more than 40 miles per
11hour and not more than 45 miles per hour, on a paved level
12surface.
13(c)
end delete14begin insert(b)end insert Has a gross vehicle weight of no more than 3,000 pounds.
15(d)
end delete16begin insert(c)end insert Is propelled solely by an electric motor.
17(e)
end delete
18begin insert(d)end insert Contains a vehicle identification number that meets
19international standards.
20(f) Meets or exceeds the requirements for safety equipment
21specified in Section 571.500 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal
22Regulations.
A medium speed electric vehicle shall satisfy all of the
24following safety requirements:
25(a) It shall possess a fully enclosed passenger compartment
26with rigid doors and safety windows.
27(b) It shall be equipped with a horn in good working condition
28that is capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions
29from a distance of not less than 200 feet, but the horn shall not
30emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound.
31(c) It shall meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
32described in Sections 571.103, 571.104, 571.108, 571.111, 571.114,
33571.135, 571.205, 571.206, 571.209, 571.216, and 571.305 of Title
3449 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
(a) A medium-speed electric vehicle may be operated
36at speeds of no more thanbegin delete 35end deletebegin insert 45end insert miles per hour.
37(b) A medium-speed electric vehicle may not be operated on a
38roadway with a speed limit in excess of 45 miles per hour.
The driver of a medium-speed electric vehicle shall
40possesses a class A, class B, or class C driver’s license.
Except as provided in Sections 21115 and 21115.1, a
2medium-speed electric vehicle is subject to all of the laws
3applicable to a motor vehicle, and the driver of a medium-speed
4electric vehicle is subject to all of the laws applicable to the driver
5of a motor vehicle or other vehicle, when applicable, by this code
6or another code, with the exception of those laws that, by their
7very nature, can have no application.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
10Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
11the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
12district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
13infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
14for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
15the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
16the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
17Constitution.
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