How far does your NEV take you?

[aviken]

An NEV wont work for me because all (about 3 different options) of the roads that lead out of my area are 40MPH or higher. Since an NEV can only legally drive on roads with speed limits of 35 or less, I can't get more than 2 miles from my home in one.

Now I know my situation is not typical, so I am wondering, how many people have NEVs out there? And how many miles a week do you drive?

Do you ignore the rules and drive on some roads that have higher speed limits?

[ZENNmaster]

I got my ZENN to go 43 mph.

My understanding is that it is NOT illegal for you to drive 35 mph on a 45 mph road, and I did so for the first 3 months I had the car. I actually used Hwy 202, which had a posted speed of 45 mph. In a 7 mile stretch I usually pulled over 2 or 3 times to let others go by, But I never pull over now. I've owned my ZENN since 12/27/07, and have driven it over 4060 miles since. I have taken this car all the way to Burien from Bothell, and use it for over 90% of my driving needs. Most of the time, I am going 35 or less.

NEV's feasible? Absolutely!

[edmills]

When you say you got your ZENN to go 43mpg, was that on a hill, or did you or someone else modify the controller or other parts?

Thanks,
   Ed

[ZENNmaster]

I got a hold of a Curtis 1311 programmer. It was very hard to find, but I persisted. Turned out my brother-in-law worked for a company that uses Curtis controllers in some of their electric lifts. He borrowed it from his company. I've since used it to help another ZENN owner, but it really should be a once in a while kind of thing. If you can find one to buy, let me know!

 

[jimad]

The Curtis 1311 Programmer is availabe on the UK Ebay, if anyone wants to try that approach -- don't know if it will work or not: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Curtis-1311-OEM-Programmer-c-w-molex-and-phone-cable_W0QQitemZ150252007356QQihZ005QQcategoryZ97185QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

[aviken]

My understanding is that it is NOT illegal for you to drive 35 mph on a 45 mph road, and I did so for the first 3 months I had the car.

Although I agree that it is not illegal drive under the speed limit, the law as I understand it forbids NEVs & MEVs from traveling on roads with speed limits greater than 35, no matter how fast you drive. I looked it up before on a different web site, but this is all I could find today, but it was passed in Aug 2007, so I think it's the current ruling on where NEVs can leagaly travel or not.

Not sure if this link will work (it's a search result I think), but here is where I found this:
http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/ViewRoot.asp?Action=Html&Item=11&X=623131225&p=1



Brief Description: Reducing air pollution through the licensing and use of medium-speed electric vehicles.

Sponsors: By Representatives Dickerson, Hankins, Lovick, B. Sullivan, Simpson, Hasegawa and Moeller.

House Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV) are included in the definition of a motor vehicle. The vehicles are defined as four-wheeled motor vehicles that are self-propelled and electrically powered, can reach a speed between 20 and 25 miles per hour, and conform to federal regulations.

Neighborhood electric vehicles may be operated on a public highway having a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less if certain conditions are met. The conditions are that the vehicle is licensed and displays plates, the vehicle is insured for liability, the vehicle may not operate on a state highway, and the vehicle may not cross a highway with a speed limit over 35 miles per hour, unless certain criteria are met.

The NEV operator must have a valid driver's license. An NEV operator in violation of the above provisions is guilty of a traffic infraction. Seatbelt and child restraint laws are applicable, and the vehicle must meet federal standards for that type of vehicle.

Local authorities may regulate the operation of these types of vehicles on public highways under their jurisdiction if the regulations are consistent with the motor vehicle code. The local authorities may not permit vehicles on state highways or require additional registration or licensing.

Summary:

A medium-speed electric vehicle (MEV) is included in the definition of a motor vehicle. The vehicles are defined as four-wheeled motor vehicles that are self-propelled and electrically powered, can reach a speed a between 30 and 35 miles per hour, are equipped with a roll cage or a crush-proof body design, and otherwise meet or exceed the federal regulations for neighborhood electric vehicles.

Medium-speed electric vehicles may be operated on a public highway having a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less if certain conditions are met. The conditions are that the vehicle is licensed and displays plates, the vehicle is insured for liability, the vehicle may not operate on a state highway, and the vehicle may not cross a highway with a speed limit over 35 miles per hour, unless certain criteria are met.

The MEV operator must have a valid driver's license. An MEV operator in violation of the above provisions is guilty of a traffic infraction. Seatbelt and child restraint laws are applicable, and the vehicle must meet or exceed federal standards for that type of vehicle.

Local authorities may regulate the operations of these types of vehicles on public highways under their jurisdiction if the regulations are consistent with the motor vehicle code. The local authorities may not permit vehicles on state highways or require additional registration or licensing.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 94 0
Senate 47 0

Effective: August 1, 2007

[ZENNmaster]

Mmmmph!. I stand corrected, but will still drive on Hwy 202. Nobody seems to mind yet.

 

[leitmotif]

It CAN be illegal to drive below the limit.  If you are blocking traffic by driving slow then you can get a ticket.  As an example where there are slow speed lanes provided on hills (Whidbey Island comes to mind) then you can get a ticket if driving slow in the high speed lane.

Looked into it with State Patrol you have a NEV on a road posted greater than 35 you can definitely get a ticket.

Dan Bentler

[Eletruk]

Of course standard rules apply: If you are slowing down more than 5 vehicles, you must pull over in the nearest safe area and let them pass.

I also looked at the possibility of registering the NEV as a "Farm Vehicle" because they can go way slow on roads, but the definition requires that they only travel between farms.

[StorminN]

I talked to a lady yesterday that owns a Zenn out here... I asked her if she ever drives on Hwy 101 (55mph speed limit). She said she had talked to the State Patrol and they said as long as you weren't "impeding traffic" you were OK... you must pull over and let others by. Even so, she said she rarely drives on 101, but I know I have seen her and a couple of other Zenns on secondary roads, which are 45mph limit.

The farm vehicle rules as I understand them, allow you to be within 15 miles of the farm it's registered to.

-N.

[Deb S.]

My NEV takes me everywhere I need to go in Seattle on a daily- weekly basis, which is on city surfaces within a 10-12 mile radius of my house.

There is one stretch of Aurora where it's posted 40 mph, and occasionally I do zip down it... usually when traffic is heavy so no one is going 40 anyway.

But I have found that re-adjusting a couple of driving patterns to use side streets has not cramped my style at all. in fact , without all the traffic, it takes the same time. Plus it's less stressful!

Hope this helps

Deb S.

[Jim]

Very interesting. What was involved with your use of the Curtis 1311 programmer? Did you have to replace the GE controller and the 5 hp dc motor? Does your motor ever overheat? Thanks.

I got a hold of a Curtis 1311 programmer. It was very hard to find, but I persisted. Turned out my brother-in-law worked for a company that uses Curtis controllers in some of their electric lifts. He borrowed it from his company. I've since used it to help another ZENN owner, but it really should be a once in a while kind of thing. If you can find one to buy, let me know!

 

[ebikeswest]

I bought my new Zenn in 2010 and love it.  I go from Crown Hill to Spokane street downtown every evening for work.....no problem going
over the Ballard Bridge and 15th and Elliot Ave.....40mph.....nobody even looks at me......but with the auxiliary halogen headlights I mounted on the dash (using my 12 volt electric bike batteries instead of the big batteries for the motor), I got pulled over one night because the policeman said they werent legal headlights........but what he didnt know was that I actually drove on the Viaduct at 3AM just for the thrill of it for both me and my Zenn   :-)  So basically you can do whatever you and your car want to do as long as you take into considerations all the conditions you will encounter..........happy driving!