tigerhonaker
09-17-2006, 09:43 PM
Posted September 17, 2006
Use of NEV is attracting attention in Waupun
By Colleen Kottke (ckottke@fdlreporter.com)
The Reporter ckottke@fdlreporter.com (ckottke@fdlreporter.com)
WAUPUN — Doug Duer's latest mode of transportation is turning heads.
"People aren't sure what to make of it," said Duer, referring to his Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) that looks like an oversized, tricked-out golf cart, "but it's completely street legal with windshield wipers, disc brakes, seat belts, turn signals and lights."
In spite of a state law passed in April allowing municipalities to permit the use of NEVs on streets with speed limits lower than 35 mph, it's still not legal to motor these fuel-alternative vehicles in most Wisconsin communities, including Waupun.
"I think there is a lot of application for these electric cars, but right now, the city is gathering information about the use of them in Waupun," said City Administrator Gary Rogers Jr.
With the passage of Wisconsin Act 329, residents seeking cheaper and cleaner transportation sources are bringing the issue to the table with city officials. Waupun resident Mike Paschke approached the Waupun Common Council in August to express his desire to see the city join a handful of other communities that have passed ordinances allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.
"With high gas prices, these vehicles are going to be part of the future," said Paschke, who operates his NEV at a campground. "If the city passed this, I would buy another one just for running around town on short errands. I could see a lot of value in this for seniors who only own a car to travel to the grocery store or church. The upkeep is much cheaper."
Hurdles to clear
While the state has given the green light on the issue, it has passed the responsibility of regulating the usage of NEVs to the respective municipalities, including licensing and registration. Since some streets in the city of Waupun share jurisdiction with other governing bodies, some type of intergovernmental agreement approving the operation of NEVs on those routes would have to be reached, said City Attorney Daniel VandeZande.
"I think the biggest negative out there against NEVs is that people think they're unsafe," Paschke said. "These vehicles have to meet safety requirements set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You see older people out there wavering around on mopeds in the city. They'd by much safer in a NEV. My NEV is taller and almost as long as my Dodge Neon so there's really no question about visibility in traffic."
Because the fuel-free vehicles top out at speeds of 25 mph, officials may worry that NEVs would impact traffic flow on busy streets.
"On most city streets, the speed limit is 25 mph. Maybe these electric vehicles would create a safer environment in the city by slowing traffic down to the posted speed," Paschke said.
Pennies to run
Duer said he would also consider buying a larger NEV to use as a mini-pickup truck to transport materials around town for his construction business.
"I'm paying $100 a week on gas to run my cargo van when it would only cost me pennies a week to run something like this," said Duer of his NEV that is powered by six rechargeable batteries.
Jim Huebner, director of sales and marketing for Columbia CarPar in Reedsburg, said a typical NEV can travel around 200 miles for the cost of one gallon of gas (priced at $3 a gallon).
"That's a significant savings," said Huebner, whose firm sells 200 to 300 NEVs annually across the United States and internationally. "We've sold them to government agencies, airports, universities, gated communities and local municipalities."
CarPar and GEM Car (Global Electric Motors, N.D.) are the only two companies in the United States manufacturing NEVs and other low-speed vehicles.
More than a niche product
Just two years ago, the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that 56,000 electric vehicles were roaming city streets. With skyrocketing fuel prices, those numbers are expected to surpass 60,000 this year.
If city officials do give a thumbs up, Waupun Utilities manager Zak Bloom will be one of the first to jump on the bandwagon in ordering an NEV.
"There's significant interest out there among municipal electric utilities like Waupun to include an NEV among our fleet of vehicles," said Bloom, who would like to add an NEV among budgeted items for 2007 to be used for meter reading and errands around town. "A vehicle like this is certain to drum up interest in our community as well as conserve fuel and cut down on emissions."
Huebner said other communities have integrated NEVs in their municipal fleets for meter reading, parks and public works departments and parking enforcement.
Duer feels that NEVs are a winning situation for the owners, the community and the environment.
"They've been around for years, and for the longest time, state and local officials wouldn't take a really hard look at it," Duer said. "Hopefully, it's a trend that they are starting to recognize — but I don't see it happening overnight."
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060917/FON04/609170438/1329/FONlife
Use of NEV is attracting attention in Waupun
By Colleen Kottke (ckottke@fdlreporter.com)
The Reporter ckottke@fdlreporter.com (ckottke@fdlreporter.com)
WAUPUN — Doug Duer's latest mode of transportation is turning heads.
"People aren't sure what to make of it," said Duer, referring to his Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) that looks like an oversized, tricked-out golf cart, "but it's completely street legal with windshield wipers, disc brakes, seat belts, turn signals and lights."
In spite of a state law passed in April allowing municipalities to permit the use of NEVs on streets with speed limits lower than 35 mph, it's still not legal to motor these fuel-alternative vehicles in most Wisconsin communities, including Waupun.
"I think there is a lot of application for these electric cars, but right now, the city is gathering information about the use of them in Waupun," said City Administrator Gary Rogers Jr.
With the passage of Wisconsin Act 329, residents seeking cheaper and cleaner transportation sources are bringing the issue to the table with city officials. Waupun resident Mike Paschke approached the Waupun Common Council in August to express his desire to see the city join a handful of other communities that have passed ordinances allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.
"With high gas prices, these vehicles are going to be part of the future," said Paschke, who operates his NEV at a campground. "If the city passed this, I would buy another one just for running around town on short errands. I could see a lot of value in this for seniors who only own a car to travel to the grocery store or church. The upkeep is much cheaper."
Hurdles to clear
While the state has given the green light on the issue, it has passed the responsibility of regulating the usage of NEVs to the respective municipalities, including licensing and registration. Since some streets in the city of Waupun share jurisdiction with other governing bodies, some type of intergovernmental agreement approving the operation of NEVs on those routes would have to be reached, said City Attorney Daniel VandeZande.
"I think the biggest negative out there against NEVs is that people think they're unsafe," Paschke said. "These vehicles have to meet safety requirements set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You see older people out there wavering around on mopeds in the city. They'd by much safer in a NEV. My NEV is taller and almost as long as my Dodge Neon so there's really no question about visibility in traffic."
Because the fuel-free vehicles top out at speeds of 25 mph, officials may worry that NEVs would impact traffic flow on busy streets.
"On most city streets, the speed limit is 25 mph. Maybe these electric vehicles would create a safer environment in the city by slowing traffic down to the posted speed," Paschke said.
Pennies to run
Duer said he would also consider buying a larger NEV to use as a mini-pickup truck to transport materials around town for his construction business.
"I'm paying $100 a week on gas to run my cargo van when it would only cost me pennies a week to run something like this," said Duer of his NEV that is powered by six rechargeable batteries.
Jim Huebner, director of sales and marketing for Columbia CarPar in Reedsburg, said a typical NEV can travel around 200 miles for the cost of one gallon of gas (priced at $3 a gallon).
"That's a significant savings," said Huebner, whose firm sells 200 to 300 NEVs annually across the United States and internationally. "We've sold them to government agencies, airports, universities, gated communities and local municipalities."
CarPar and GEM Car (Global Electric Motors, N.D.) are the only two companies in the United States manufacturing NEVs and other low-speed vehicles.
More than a niche product
Just two years ago, the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that 56,000 electric vehicles were roaming city streets. With skyrocketing fuel prices, those numbers are expected to surpass 60,000 this year.
If city officials do give a thumbs up, Waupun Utilities manager Zak Bloom will be one of the first to jump on the bandwagon in ordering an NEV.
"There's significant interest out there among municipal electric utilities like Waupun to include an NEV among our fleet of vehicles," said Bloom, who would like to add an NEV among budgeted items for 2007 to be used for meter reading and errands around town. "A vehicle like this is certain to drum up interest in our community as well as conserve fuel and cut down on emissions."
Huebner said other communities have integrated NEVs in their municipal fleets for meter reading, parks and public works departments and parking enforcement.
Duer feels that NEVs are a winning situation for the owners, the community and the environment.
"They've been around for years, and for the longest time, state and local officials wouldn't take a really hard look at it," Duer said. "Hopefully, it's a trend that they are starting to recognize — but I don't see it happening overnight."
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060917/FON04/609170438/1329/FONlife