Public-Private Partnership Testing Low-Speed EVs in SoCal
23 August 2010
The Local Use Vehicle (LUV) Project is testing low-speed, all-electric vehicles in several communities in southwest Los Angeles County.
In a public-private partnership, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), with a grant from the South Coast Air Quality District, approached Enterprise Fleet Management to lease and operate six, zero-emission, short-range vehicles. The vehicles, which operate at slow speeds, are designed to take the place of full-size, gas-consuming vehicles. The cars are designed for trips under three miles and are being used in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and south Redondo Beach.
The LUV pilot project is part of an 18-month demonstration project allowing the electric cars to be tested by individuals for 3 to 6 months and then rotated to other users. Participating drivers are asked to complete surveys regarding how the vehicles are used, how they perform, satisfaction levels and ideas for improvement. Additionally each vehicle is equipped with GPS for more data collection and analysis.
The vehicles travel up to 25 miles per hour and are limited to streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. They can travel up to 30 miles before being charged and can be plugged into a normal 110 volt electric outlet.
Vehicles under test include two Wheego Whips, two GEMs, a Columbia Summit and a Vantage.
"The cars are designed for trips under three miles..."
"They can travel up to 30 miles before being charged and can be plugged into a normal 110 volt electric outlet."
Somehow these two statements do not reconcile. What limits a trip to three miles??
Posted by: Reel$$ | 23 August 2010 at 07:23 AM
Due to the low speed of these cars they tend to be used for local trips. They are not intended to be long distance commuter vehicles and are used to satisfy a local travel travel niche.
They are often used for many local trips (roughly 3 mile radius trips) during the day before they are plugged in the evening to recharge.
Posted by: David Magarian | 25 August 2010 at 06:20 PM