By Roy Wood, Special to the Times Chronicle
Later this year, Osoyoos could see small, slow, silent mini-cars cruising the streets after council took a major step toward allowing “low-speed electric vehicles” (LSVs) in the town.
In a report to a council committee this week, CAO Rod Risling pointed out that after some Osoyoos residents requested the chance to use LSVs, council added the option to its list of strategic priorities.
Once the necessary changes are made to the town’s traffic bylaw, the administration will seek the approval of the provincial transportation ministry to approve the use of LSVs within town limits.
The two-seater LSV2 electric vehicle from Vernon’s Simolo Customs with an estimated MSRP starting at CA$25,495.
Simolo Customs photo
According to Risling’s report, provincial legislation has permitted LSVs for more than a decade if a municipality approves their use.
Under provincial regulation, the vehicles may “travel on roads that have posted speed limits of no more than 50 km/h.
“They are also permitted to cross highways/roads that have a speed limit of no more than 80 km/hr. As a result, these low-speed vehicles could travel on most roads within the Town’s boundaries.”
Characteristics of LSVs include:
- Powered by electric motor;
- Travels on four wheels;
- Designed to travel up to 40 kilometres per hour;
- Include seating for two to four people;
- Have safety equipment like seatbelts, head and tail lights, windshields; and
- Have a gross vehicle weight of less than 1,361 kilograms.
Risling’s report mentioned that Vernon is among the communities that already allow LSVs.
Conversations with administration there indicated that there are “very few” complaints about the vehicles, although the one “sporadic but common complaint from drivers following the vehicles is their limited speed.”
The implications section of Risling’s report includes: “It is likely that some drivers of regular vehicles will complain about the reduced speed of these vehicles especially on primary routes such as Hwy 3 through town, Lakeshore Drive and Golf Course Drive.”
Licensing and registration requirements for LSVs are similar to other vehicles and insurance is mandatory.
Risling said the approval process with the province usually takes between four and six months. The next step is for administration to come back to council with a draft traffic bylaw amendment.
Mayor Sue McKortoff said: “I just want to make sure that people realize that these are not golf carts. Golf carts are quite a different thing.” She pointed out that many residents in the neighbourhood near the Osoyoos Golf Club regularly drive their golf carts from home to the course.
