[ref http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-EVs-you-can-drive-at-16-tp4660748.html ] The piece talks about an existing UK rule/law 'P' that allows 16+ year old's to drive light weight 28mph vehicles. There are already U.S. state and city laws about nEVs (25mph Electric LSVs) on 35mph roads.
I wonder what it would take to get a similar type of law on the books allowing 16+ year old's to drive a nEV to school, work, etc. on 35mph city streets? I imagine there would need to be an action in each state. I also wonder how long it would take Canadians to get a similar law? (perhaps easier than the U.S. ?) Right now, to buy a new nEV is still not cheap when compared to a used conversion that can go highway speeds. But with a law like that, more of those low-cost, lower-voltage conversion kits may sell, making more conversions of nEV speed capability. I suppose the qualifications of a nEV category would have to be met by each state's DMV when registering the vehicle. I wonder if it would require circuitry to guaranty that the vehicle would drive faster than 25mph before it could be registered as a nEV? So, what is the cost difference between a 50 mile range conversion nEV (ts: 25mph), that can charge at level-1 off a 5-20 or level-2 off a j1772? I would think a student would want to hang with their friends, so likely a low cost four door would fit that need. I would want to target something in the 2000's year range, with a manual tranny, and perhaps one with a shot-ice. The following are off the top of my head, and I am not recommending any vendors. I found: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/3555048620.html 1996 Ford Taurus - with a shot ice. I would rather have the higher mpg donor vehicle like a Chevy Metro or similar. Planning on keeping the speed low, and getting the most range and life out of the PbSO4 wet-cell pack, I would likely use T105 type batteries (US2200, etc.). Twelve of them in 'series - parallel' would give a 48V pack to keep the top speed low like a nEV. http://www.evparts.com/products/street-vehicle/motors--dot/ac-motor-controller-kits/mt1958.htm AC Motor/Controller Kit, Hi-Perf, 36/48 volt, 350 amp Again a low hp motor controller to keep the top speed about 25mph, with an AC motor, you get regen. http://www.kta-ev.com/PFC_2500_Battery_Charger_p/cha-pfc-2500.htm ElCon HF PFC-2500 Charger - off a 115VAC 20A outlet gives 26A @48VDC, off a 240VAC J1772 gives 40A @48VDC http://www.elconchargers.com/catalog/item/7344653/7638094.htm If there was a law allowing 16+ to drive a nEV speed conversion, do you think more nEV speed conversions would be made/driven? Is there a better configuration, or combination to create a nEV speed conversion at a lower cost, with a ~50mile range @25mph? Is it possible to get the nEV speed conversion cost down to a ~$5000 price range? {brucedp.150m.com} -- http://www.fastmail.fm - Faster than the air-speed velocity of an unladen european swallow _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)