News Release
For Immediate Release
April 28, 2009
Contact:
Aaron Zappia
(215) 657-7700

Greenleaf Bill for the Legislation of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles Moves Forward 

Today, the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved Senator Greenleaf’s legislation to make neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) street legal in Pennsylvania. 

NEVs are four-wheeled battery electric vehicles that weigh less than 3,000 pounds and reach top speeds of between 20 and 25 mph.  NEVs plug into standard home electrical outlets.  

The car’s primary usefulness would be in low-speed areas, such as retirement communities, corporate parks, and residential neighborhoods, where people would use them for short-distance trips, such as picking up groceries. 

Senate Bill 152 would permit NEVs to operate on state or local roads with a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less.  Travel on state or local roads with a speed limit between 25 and 35 mph may be permitted at the discretion of the Secretary of Transportation or local governments.  The Secretary or local governments may prohibit NEV use on any road under their jurisdiction if they determine it is in the interest of safety.   

NEVs would only be permitted to cross roadways with speed limits over 35 mph at signaled intersections.  A slow moving vehicle emblem would be affixed on the rear of the vehicle. 

Purchasers of NEVs would be required to sign a waiver of liability to certify that the NEV was purchased with the full knowledge of the potential hazardous characteristics of such vehicles.   

NEVs must be registered and licensed as passenger vehicles and abide by all traffic laws including limiting passengers to the number of seatbelts. 

NEVs are currently street legal in at least 40 states.   

"It makes sense that Pennsylvania joins the majority of states that have enacted this legislation," said Greenleaf.  "From an environmental standpoint, I think it’s hard to argue against a zero emissions vehicle.  From a fiscal standpoint, I think this will provide many people with a sensible alternative for short-distance travel.  These cars are extremely inexpensive to maintain, and with today’s gasoline prices, they would soon pay for themselves." 

"We have to change the driving habits of the American public, and one of the ways of doing that is to allow this type of vehicle."