R-10369City Council Meeting 12-02-08
Santa Monica, California
RESOLUTION NUMBER X369 (CCs)
(City Council Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA
SUPPORTING FEDERAL REGULATIONS TO ESTABLISH AMEDIUM-SPEED
VEHICLE (MSV) CLASSIFICATION
WHEREAS, Federal regulations require vehicles limited to 35 MPH to comply with the
same safety standards and testing as full-speed vehicles;
WHEREAS, These Federal regulations require the use of advanced air bags and other
safety features that are prohibitively expensive for low volume manufacturers and have
limited or no benefit on a vehicle limited to 35 MPH;
WHEREAS, Several states have already adopted, and others are considering,
legislation allowing the use of Medium Speed Vehicles (MSVs) with speeds up to 35
mph not consistent with Federal regulations. Those states with MSV laws in place are
experiencing a five to ten fold increase in electric vehicle purchases;
WHEREAS, Consumer quality full-speed electric vehicles are still several years away.
MSVs have low speed and low range requirements and work well with the technology
that is available today. They will provide an opportunity for American entrepreneurs and
small manufacturers to develop technology faster and on a larger scale than relying on
the large auto manufacturers alone.
WHEREAS, Expensive battery technology, fuel cells, compressed air engines and other
technologies can be deployed in larger numbers with MSVs than waiting to perfect the
systems for full-speed vehicles.
WHEREAS, Safety is the highest priority and we want NHTSA to work with MSV
manufacturers to develop safe standards to bring these vehicles to market quickly;
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Monica has almost all of its streets set with speed limits of
35 mph or less.. Using MSVs are inherently safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and other
vehicles;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA DOES
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Santa Monica hereby supports the establishment of Federal
regulations for aMedium-Speed Electric Vehicle (MSEV) classification for a vehicle that
has the appropriate safety features and is limited to a maximum speed of 35 MPH and
to be operated on roads with speed limits of up to 35 MPH.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
MA SHA J S MOOT IE
City Attorney
Adopted and approved this 2"d day of December, 2008.
I, Maria Stewart, City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica, do he~'eby certify that the
foregoing Resolution No. 10369 (CCS) was duly adopted at a meeting of the Santa
Monica City Council held on the 2"d day of December, 2008, by the following vote:
Ayes: Council members: Genser, Holbrook, McKeown, O'Connor
Mayor Katz, Mayor Pro Tem Bloom
Noes: Council members: None
Abstain: Council members: None
Absent: Council members: Shriver
ATTEST:
Maria Stewart, City Clerk