Electric Utility Vehicles & Commercial Electric Vehicles

Electric Utility vehicles were first used for commercial applications more than 150 ago years when the electric carriage was introduced in England as an alternative means of low-speed transportation. The post-war era in Europe created a demand for utility vehicles that were not dependent upon fossil fuel. American and European inventors were almost forced to design and manufacture electric utility vehicles for many military, industrial, commercial, security and private use. Many of these early vehicles would play a role in our nation's industrial revolution. Today, our government agencies and all branches of the U.S. military have invested in thousands of low-speed electric utility vehicles for on-base transport of visitors, base personnel, equipment and supplies.

The current administration in Washington DC has allocated billions of dollars for the development of better electric vehicles, charging technologies, batteries, applications, etc. Most government facilities and military bases have gone "Green" and low-speed electric utility vehicles are allowed, at least during daylight hours, in base housing areas. Our electric-powered utility vehicles can save your company, your housing development, your church, your school or your retirement center money on your landscaping, security and transport vehicle expenses. Best of all, passenger enjoy their trip more on an electric-powered bus or shuttle. Electric vehicle motors are quiet and clean which enhances your passenger's enjoyment of open sides and low speeds.

Electric Vehicle Motors

Electric vehicle manufacturers use kilowatts (kW) for measuring the power output of any electric motor installed in their utility vehicles. An electric motor with four kW is considered to be the equivalent of a 5-horsepower gas-powered engine. Electric utility vehicles, street-legal golf carts, low-speed electric vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles and electric shuttles can utilize the electric motor's advantage of providing maximum torque over a broad range of rpm. When interpreted as a performance measure, a utility vehicle powered by a 4kW electric motor will exceed 5 horsepower, so almost any type of electric utility vehicle can be powered efficiently with enough kW output. GatorMoto UV can provide you with a variety of commercial applications for your electric utility vehicle. Whether you are looking for a multi-passenger electric shuttle bus or need fully equipped electric security vehicles, you need to talk to us before you invest in a new electric utility vehicle.

Summary of NHTSA's Final Rule

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration studied the use of vehicles that are electric powered. The growing public interest in the use of golf carts, electric utility vehicles, low-speed vehicles, neighborhood electric vehicles and electric shuttle buses forced the Department of Transportation to categorize these low-cost and energy-efficient means of transportation. In recent years, state governments from California to Florida have authorized the use of LSVs, NEVs and electric utility vehicles to operate on certain roads but with limits established for top speed. In fact, the gross weight and top speed were the main issues that municipal, county and state governments could not agree upon. The NHTSA set out to establish a Federal Standard to ensure that low-speed vehicles being operated on the public streets, roads and highways are equipped for motor vehicle safety.

Originally, golf carts and similar electric vehicles that were incapable of achieving speeds of 20 mph were governed by local and state regulations. When manufacturers recognized the growing market for electric utility vehicles, the factories began installing a more powerful electric motor in vehicles designed for the use in neighborhoods, office parks and industrial plants. The NHTSA released the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500 to establish a category for low-speed vehicles capable of top speeds of 25 mph that would be permitted to operate on restricted roadways. The Highway Department's standards require all low-speed electric vehicles in this classification to be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts and vehicle VIN numbers.

How to Contact the NHTSA for Information

FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
SAFETY ASSURANCE
OFFICE OF VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLIANCE

400 7TH STREET, SW
ROOM 6111
MAIL CODE: NSA-30
WASHINGTON, DC 2059

GatorMoto UV Electric Utility Vehicles

You can use our electric utility vehicles as maintenance vehicles, landscaping vehicles, security vehicles, transport vehicles and many other commercial applications. GatorMoto UV's electric utility vehicles provide you with an affordable alternative for an environmental-friendly solution for getting from place to place. Whether you are hauling cargo, pulling a lightweight trailer, carrying tools or helping with the neighborhood landscaping, our street-legal electric utility vehicles are perfect for the job.

Our Electro Utility Buddy LSV 2P features rack & pinion steering and pneumatic brakes for the front and rear. The LSV 2P is equipped with an AM/FM/CD player, captain chairs and 10-inch tires. Check out the standard features for our Electric Utility Vehicle Buddy Deluxe 2P like our 15.63 cubic foot dump bed. Both vehicles are available with custom graphics, custom body colors and storage covers. Call GatorMoto at (904) 247-1818. Our staff is ready to answer all of your questions.