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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
neighborhood electric shuttles
Purpose
Outlines requirements, safety standards and operational restrictions for neighborhood electric shuttles.
Background
A neighborhood electric vehicle is a self-propelled motor vehicle that: 1) is emission free; 2) has at least four wheels in contact with the ground; and 3) complies with the definition and standards for low-speed vehicles set forth in the federal law (A.R.S. § 28-101). Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 500 outlines certain attributes that must be present on low-speed vehicles, and federal statutes require low-speed vehicles to: 1) be four-wheeled; 2) be capable of speeds greater than 20 miles per hour (mph) but less than 25 mph; and 3) have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3,000 pounds (49 C.F.R. §§ 571.3(b) and 571.5).
A vehicle for hire
is defined as a taxi, livery vehicle or limousine (A.R.S.
§ 28-9501). A commercial motor vehicle is a motor vehicle, or
combination of motor vehicles, that is designed, used or maintained to
transport passengers or property in the furtherance of a commercial enterprise
on a highway in Arizona, and that is not exempt from gross weight fees (A.R.S.
§ 28-5201).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Defines a neighborhood electric shuttle as a self-propelled electrically powered motor vehicle that:
a) is emission free;
b) has at least four wheels in contact with the ground;
c) is capable of transporting at least eight passengers, including the driver;
d) is a commercial motor vehicle as defined in statute;
e) is a vehicle for hire and operates under a company with a vehicle for hire permit;
f) complies with the definition and standards for low-speed vehicles set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations; and
g) has been modified after market to transport up to 15 passengers including the driver.
2. Prohibits a neighborhood electric shuttle from being operated at speeds greater than 25 mph.
3. Prohibits a neighborhood electric shuttle from driving on a highway with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph, unless the vehicle crosses such a highway at an intersection.
4. Requires the operational restrictions of a neighborhood electric shuttle to be clearly attached to or painted on the vehicle in a location in clear view of the driver.
5. Requires a person, when initially registering a neighborhood electric shuttle, to certify to the Arizona Department of Transportation that the vehicle complies with requirements related to the notice of operational restrictions.
6. Makes technical and conforming changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 28, 2021
ZD/kja