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Foster Development of "City-Only" Automobiles

by L. Dean | 1:30 pm February 4th, 2011 | 4 Comments »
Categories: Activism, Efficiency, Electric Cars, Green Communities, Green Living, Policy, Transportation
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Create a new car classification similar to current classifications for mopeds that are designed around limited engine size and for use only on surface streets (not allowed on interstates), and with fewer government regulations. This new car classification would lower the entry cost of startup companies to produce alternative fuel vehicles and would create a new market place more suitable for the current technology.

Advantages of a new car classification for alternative fuel cars:
1. Because the cars would not be allowed on interstates the government regulations on the new classification could be reduced. This would reduce cost barriers that make it prohibitive for new, American based companies to form.
2. Less government regulations, plus a set engine size would reduce the weight of the car and improve range which is a problem for current electric vehicles that are forced to compete in the current car classification.
3. Reduced cost will reduce retail price and increase market potential for the cars.
4. A “city” car classification is in line with current trends of people (especially younger professionals and many empty nesters) moving out of the suburbs and into cities.
5. Will allow for greater competition, private investment and job growth and will excel the pace of innovation in the market segment.
6. Will increase the awareness of the need to enforce traffic laws in our neighborhoods and commercial districts and will make it safer for other user groups (cyclist, pedestrians, user’s of public transportation) and thereby increase the number of users in these groups. Also, a new car classification (and accompanying driver license classifications) would allow law enforcement the ability to reduce the license of dangerous drivers. There currently is no good system to enforce our traffic laws and this is why our roads have become so dangerous.

In short, the major automakers have always had an unfair advantage with a one car classification system and it has hurt innovation and has created a monopoly on our roads that has made our neighborhoods and commercial districts unsafe for other user groups. The government can invest in research of new technologies, but it does not have the money to fund the multitude of competing ideas that drives the innovation of new technologies.

However, through changes in laws/regulations, like creating a new “city” car classification, it is possible for the government to create the market conditions where free market forces can generate the private sector investments needed to drive innovation. This is an appropriate role of government, and rather than the government attempting to fund innovation it should concentrate on finding ways through changes in laws (and user taxes – not taxes based on income) to create market conditions that will drive the innovation of new green technologies.

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4 Responses to “Foster Development of "City-Only" Automobiles”


  1. On February 4th, 2011 at 6:43 pm John Said:

    It already exists, it’s called a NEV, and they typically sell poorly because they can’t drive on streets that have higher speed limits.


  2. On February 6th, 2011 at 11:01 am L. Dean Said:

    Yes, I’m aware of NEV (LSV). I probably should have done a better job of addressing NEVs (LSVs) – http://www.evfinder.com/NEVs.htm .

    The fact is NEVs are hugely successful in private cities that are popping up in our country, especially Florida. The Villages (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Villages,_Florida) has a population of over 75,000 and is still growing. It has stores, schools, theatres and business, etc. There are delivery drivers, people own SUVs and other cars, and yet you can still drive around safely in basically a golf cart. And you can also safely bike and walk in these privately owned cities. Compare that to the state of Georgia where in 2007 1 in 4 (25%) people killed in automobile related accident were pedestrians (sorry I could not find the link but this was reported in the AJC in 2008).

    Compare NEVs to a Moped. Mopeds are regulated in engine sizes and speed, yet you can drive a moped on any surface road, so there is really no where you can’t get to on a moped. There needs to be a car classification exactly like the moped classification for a car with limited engine size, weight, etc that can be driven on any surface. Obviously, current NEVs would have to be redesigned and more powerful under a new regulation, but it would be minor.

    Having only one classification for all cars from electric, to compacts, to SUVs and making all the cars meet regulations so they can be driven on highways is crazy and allows the major car companies to dictate the cars we drive.

    By creating an environment where machines designed to be driven on highways at fast speeds have a monopoly has made our neighborhoods and commercial streets highways and unsafe for other user groups.

    All the federal government has to do is remove the bias in our current car regulations and back adoption of the car classifications by States through DOT dollars and the free market would take care of the rest. There would be no need to fund private companies like Telsa, or for the government to fund the building of fueling stations for electric cars.

    Not only would it create an environment where new greener technologies could be competitive, it would make our communities and cities safer and would improve quality of life. And when we talk about building a greener society the emphasis for making these changes should be improving quality of life.


  3. On February 7th, 2011 at 5:36 pm Mikael Said:

    Whether city-only or not, cars still kill pedestrians and cyclists. Sustainability is creating people-friendly cities and reducing speed limits for cars – whatever kind of car – in order to encourage walking, cycling and public transport.


  4. On May 25th, 2011 at 5:34 pm Elmer Stenger Said:

    I think the small car is a good idea. In our area the traffic during morning and evening drive time averages about 15 to 20 miles an hour. Most vehicles are occupied by one person. Shopping trips usually require less room than large cars offer Parking lots could accommodate more vehicles. Insurance should be be reduced as well as most all operating costs. Renting a larger car for family outings and trips could be paid for by the lower cost and operating expenses of the small vehicle. There is much to be said for the idea.

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