Yielding To The Electric Golf Car

Even though Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) are legal in Denver, one of the area’s largest dealers in small electric golf cars says the public would benefit by standardized and easier to understand regulations.

“Nobody listens to me,” says Jason Masek, suggesting a reason for complex regulation. “It’s a muddy, murky mess. It should be easy.” Masek is president of Masek Golf Cars of Colorado.

“NEVs are authorized in Denver under a 2009 ordinance, Section 54-660,” says Crissy Fanganello, Director of Transportation for Denver Public Works. “They can be driven on any street where the speed limit is 30 MPH or less. No driver’s license is required.”

Since Public Works has just completed lowering the speed limit on most Denver streets, a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle could be operated almost anywhere in the city – a tempting option for many who are seeking alternative forms of transportation. It would be quite easy to use one to commute to downtown and back from Park Hill or Stapleton, for example.

State law allows Coloradans to use such vehicles. But, depending on the town or city, the rules are often more complex.

Three types of cruisers

According to Masek, there are three types of low-speed, four-wheel electric vehicles:

• An ordinary golf car, designed primarily for use in a closed area such as a golf course or parking lot, limited to 15 MPH

• A “Personal Transportation Vehicle” (PTV), which is a golf car with minimal safety modifications for street use, limited by federal law to 20 MPH

• A “Low Speed Vehicle” (LSV), which is fully equipped with all safety equipment and has a U.S. Department of Transportation 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), federally allowed to run at 25 MPH

But, as an example of the complex rules, any of these three could be a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle.

Commerce City was the first Colorado community to authorize NEV usage under a 2009 state law. That legislation is about as vague as it could possibly be, leaving the interpretation to local authorities.

Commerce City allows Personal Transportation Vehicles to qualify as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. There are no requirements for seat belts. So what is perfectly legal in Commerce City might not be in Denver.

“We can do whatever you want, as long as it’s legal,” says Masek’s parts manager, Clark Marley. After one of his customers was stopped by a State Patrol officer in Commerce City, Marley started advising operators to carry a copy of local legislation.

These vehicles are no longer confined to retirement villages in Arizona or Florida. It is not unusual to see Neighborhood Electric Vehicles and gas-powered equivalent vehicles in downtown Honolulu.

Cities and towns such as Erie, Lyons, and Littleton also allow PTVs to be used as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles.

“An NEV is a good, viable way to get from A-to-B without firing up a car,” Masek observes. “Safety depends on how and where the vehicle is used. For example, driving on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard through Park Hill downtown probably isn’t a good idea.” The speed limit on MLK is 35 MPH.

“It’s an interesting concept,” says Councilwoman Mary Beth Susman of the electric vehicles. “I suppose if everyone were in a golf car, it would change the character of our traffic. But, so much of our (Denver) traffic is from the suburbs coming in to the city.”

No license plate required

Fanganello says Denver’s regulations would be similar to the state law. But again, there’s a discrepancy. The state motor vehicles web site indicates NEVs are registered as “Class C” motor vehicles, requiring a “green and white license plate.” According to Fanganello, Denver does not require a license plate.

The state’s web page also directs questions to the county motor vehicle office. Those who have had experience with unusual registrations say county motor vehicle offices are often ill informed about state and local regulations.

Fanganello says no registration is required in Denver.

“Government regulations still inhibit flexibility in the use of PTVs,” says Masek. “The local community has to want NEVs to make the process work.”

He says golf car technology is proven and the vehicles are sturdy and reliable. The range for how far they will go is 30-to-70 miles, depending on the battery charge. It takes about eight hours to fully charge on 110 volts. The state law sets up a process for communities to get grant money for charging stations.

A golf car upgraded to PTV operation can cost as little at $4,000. Full-scale LSVs range from $8,000 to $21,000.

Fanganello says other alternative transportation devices, such as 2-wheel transporters (i.e. Segways), 3-wheel chariots, and small electric scooters are classified the same as NEVs and can be operated on streets with a speed limit of 30 MPH or less.

Step-through (Vespa-style) scooters with engines of 50 cubic centimeters or less are classified as a bicycle, but technically, bicycles are also classified as “vehicles,” subject to the same regulations as cars.

An “Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device,” also known as an electric wheelchair, can be operated in the roadway if there is no bicycle lane or sidewalk.

Dave Felice is the current board chair of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. He can be reached at gelato321@aol.com.