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AN ACT Relating to reducing air pollution through the licensing and use of medium-speed electric vehicles; amending RCW 46.61.688;
reenacting and amending RCW 46.04.320 and 46.61.687; adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter
46.61 RCW; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.
If enacted, electric cars will be able to legally attain a speed of up to 35 mph. Currently electric cars are limited
to 25 mph. At 25 mph, electric car owners have found the speed to be a safety threat because of their inability to keep up
with traffic.
When the original law was written in 2003, most Neighborhood Electric Cars (for whome the law was written) were golf cars
with the minimum of safety features. These cars were used mostly in golf communities. Over the past year, the NEV has progressed
to become a safer vehicle with full fitting doors, roll up windows, roll bars and safety cages. Their use has extended past
the golf communities and are becoming accepted into our cities and towns.
A new medium speed vehicle designation is needed. This new breed of electric car can help reduce our Carbon Dioxide Emmissions
and reduce our dependency on foreign oil. At 35 mph these cars are safe and will be able to keep up with the normal flow of
traffic.
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