Local Use Vehicle Demonstration Project
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments has a grant from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to demonstrate how Local Use Vehicles (LUVs) can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and gasoline consumption.
The preliminary report on the demonstration project is now available. Click here for your copy of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles in Mature Suburbs: Demonstration and Preliminary Evaluation.
The LUV Project will test the effectiveness of using 100% electric, zero emission local use vehicles (LUV) that are small, short range and low speed for taking ‘local’ trips around South Bay neighborhoods. Many of the trips taken by South Bay residents and businesses today are less than 3 miles and are typically driven in long range, full size, full speed vehicles powered by the internal combustion engine.
The LUV project will demonstrate the benefits of using vehicle technology appropriate to the characteristics of the trip taken. Potential benefits include reductions of:
The LUV project will demonstrate the benefits of using vehicle technology appropriate to the characteristics of the trip taken. Potential benefits include reductions of:
- pollutants and carbon emissions per mile
- emissions from cold starts
- fuel costs per mile
- total gasoline consumption per household
- overall congestion
LUVs are limited to 25 MPH and can be driven legally only on streets with a posted speed limit of 35 MPH or less. They may cross streets with higher speed limits at signalized intersections. Maximum distance between charges averages around 30 miles. Maps of LUV legal streets can be found at the LUV Resources section.
The SBCCOG partnered with Enterprise Fleet Management to acquire six vehicles – two Wheego Whips, two GEM e4s, one Columbia Summit, and one Vantage Crewcab. The vehicles are loaned to chosen participants to test the LUVs in a variety of applications. Vehicles have been placed with residents and institutions for the first six month demonstration period. During the 18 month demonstration project the LUV vehicles will be loaned to new participants approximately every six months.
To learn more about these vehicles please contact the manufacturers directly:
There are rebates and tax credits for LUV vehicles. For further information go to:
http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/Calculate_Savings/Incentives.php
Funded by the South Coast Air Quality Management District| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| LUV Program Handout | 869.5 KB |
| LUV preliminary Report 7-11.pdf | 1.15 MB |
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