Electric Low Speed Vehicles Now Roam the Road
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, a low-speed vehicle is any four-wheeled electric vehicle, excluding golf carts, that achieves speeds of at least 20 miles per hour (mph) but not more than 25 mph. Low-speed vehicles may access public streets with speed limits of up to 35 mph
Confusingly, some vehicles marketed as golf carts can exceed 20 miles per hour, which technically disqualifies them as LSVs. If you are considering purchasing an LSV, be sure to do your research to better understand the advantages and limitations of the vehicle you are considering.
LSVs are most often electric-powered and often used for short-distance transportation, such as commuting, running errands, moving people, or getting around a low-speed campus. In most states, Electric Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) are street-legal but there are some restrictions on where they can be driven. Low-speed electric vehicles are not allowed on Interstate highways, freeways, or roads with a speed limit of more than 35 mph.
In contrast, a medium-speed vehicle (MSV) is any four-wheeled electric or gasoline vehicle that has a maximum speed of over 30 mph, but not more than 35 mph. Local safety regulations for MSVs may be more stringent than those for low-speed vehicles. Medium-speed vehicles are allowed to travel on roads at speeds up to 45 mph but may not operate on Interstate highways. Both low-speed and medium-speed vehicles must comply with the safety standards in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 571.500.
Should I purchase a low-speed electric vehicle?
Whether or not you should purchase a low-speed electric vehicle depends on your individual needs and circumstances. If you are looking for a low-cost, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly way to get around, an LSV may be a good option for you. Listed below are some additional things to keep in mind about LSVs:
- Electric low-speed vehicles are more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.
- Driving an LSV on the road does require a driver's license in some states.
- LSVs are smaller, quieter, easier to park and more fun to drive
- Low-speed electric vehicles are less expensive to purchase and operate.
- For low-speed environments, a maneuverable electric LSV is great in tight spaces.
- LSVs may or may not be covered by traditional car insurance policies.
- Although LSVs are often equipped for specific tasks, they may not be able to tow heavy loads.
- Many models of LSVs can be fitted to handle all types of terrain.
If you are considering purchasing an LSV, be sure to do your research and compare different models to find the one that best meets your needs. Although an LSV is typically less expensive to purchase than traditional cars, it can still be a significant investment. However, if you mostly drive short distances in urban areas, campuses, parks, town centers or designated low-speed neighborhoods, an LSV can be a great way to save money on gas and enjoy a quieter ride.
Buy a Personalized LSV at Moto Electric Vehicles
At Moto Electric Vehicles, our mission is simple. We want to build the perfect electric low-speed vehicle for you. MotoEV makes it easy for you to customize your cart with vehicle-parts and accessories directly from the manufacturer to eliminate the need for installing third-party aftermarket products, which often have to be forced to fit.
In addition, we incorporate many of the same safety features found in conventional street-legal vehicles, when custom-building your LSV such as safety belts, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, headlights, taillights and turn signals. For ease of access, we have low-speed shuttles that do not have doors and can be equipped with optional ADA-approved ramps and lifts as compliant people movers.
MotoEV electric low-speed vehicles are not only a step up from traditional golf carts in safety features, our LSVs offer improved functionality, versatility and style. Whether you need a light-duty utility vehicle with lifts for your maintenance crews or a low-speed delivery vehicle with sealed insulated boxes, we can custom-build one or a fleet of LSVs. Add a personalized body wrap and you’ll have a rolling billboard for your brand.
OPERATING LOW SPEED VEHICLES IN FLORIDA
With good weather year-round, Florida is an LSV-friendly state with many historic neighborhoods, golf cart communities, low-speed campuses, and town centers. Electric low-speed vehicles are restricted to public streets in the State of Florida with a posted maximum speed limit of 35 mph. Because of the federal laws enacted to regulate LSVs, dealers in the Sunshine State cannot legally sell these vehicles to go faster than 25 mph.
Any LSV that has been modified to exceed 25 mph becomes subject to the same safety requirements as passenger cars. If you are planning to drive an electric low-speed vehicle on roadways with a posted speed limit of up to 35 MPH, make sure your street-legal electric low-speed vehicle (LSV) you purchase meets the federal and state standards of a low-speed vehicle.
Florida statutes make a distinction between traditional golf carts and low-speed vehicles. The rules and regulations regarding low-speed electric vehicles differ depending on the state’s classifications. LSV drivers in the Sunshine State must be insured with specified minimums of personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL).
Laws and statutes can change depending on your location, so check with knowledgeable local authorities to ensure you and your LSV are 100% legal.
