Improved design, safety prompts new legislation on electric cars

As early as Aug. 1, Seattleites can look forward to seeing electric cars speeding down the streets at 35 miles per hour.

This week, the governor is expected to sign House and Senate joint bill 1820, which would increase the speed limit of electric vehicles from 25 to 35 mph, the normal maximum speed limit on many city streets.

Original legislation passed in 2003 allowed electric cars on the roads, but limited their speed to 25 mph for safety concerns. Now, it seems that the cars have improved design and safety measures.

"[This bill] is going to open doors for people to buy electric cars [who] have been holding back because of the speed," said Steve Mayeda, vice president of sales at MC Electric Vehicles and co-author of the bill.

Mayeda said he wanted to fix a problem by writing this bill.

"We see this bill that is allowing electric vehicles to drive on the streets at 25 mph. ... Then we realize it's kind of defeating the purpose."

Other cars on the road could pose a problem.

"If [gas-fueled cars] pile up behind us, it just causes them to have to use more gas," he said.

The previous bill addressed the use of neighborhood electric vehicles, while the new bill distinguishes between neighborhood and "medium-speed electric vehicles." According to the bill, medium-speed electric vehicles are self-propelled, electrically powered four-wheeled motor vehicles equipped with a roll cage or crush-proof body design, whose speed attainable in one mile is more than 30 but not more than 35 mph.

"I think that, realistically, it means that electric cars can be more practically used in the city," said Representative Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36th). "It is important to encourage alternative means of transportation."

Following this bill, further advances for electric vehicles are expected. Some electric vehicles that can travel at highway speed, [HTML_REMOVED] 60 mph, have already been designed, but they are still very expensive, Dickerson said.

Both the House and the Senate have already signed the bill, and the governor has 20 days to add her signature to the document.

"We are not expecting any opposition from the governor," Dickerson said.

May 6, WashPIRG will be hosting a "Pimp My Clean Ride" car show on campus for those interested in the vehicles. There will be electric cars on campus as well as pamphlets offering more information on the vehicles.

"I expect that these new technologies will be very important in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change," Dickerson said.

Reach reporter Celia Hunko at news@thedaily.washington.edu.