Hate cars but kind of need one? Why a low-speed vehicle like this may be for you
Cars and city living – it’s a complicated relationship. While cars offer the promise of supposed freedom and convenience, they also come with parking nightmares, fuel costs, and the dreaded rush-hour gridlock. But what if there was a middle-ground solution? Enter the low-speed vehicle (LSV).
LSVs are a federally approved class of motor vehicle that are basically the hybrid car convenience and scooter/bike simplicity. With a healthy and growing car reduction movement in cities, they may be just the answer. Here are some compelling reasons why an LSV could be the perfect fit for you.
Smaller vehicles are easier to park
One of the most significant pain points of city driving is parking. Maybe you’re the kind of person that isn’t ready to give up a car in the city since you can’t carry everything you need with you on a bike. LSVs may not be as simple or easy to park as a bike, but they’re certainly an improvement over a much larger car.
Traditional cars require sizable parking spaces, and in a city, that often translates into expensive parking garages or the ever-elusive street spot. LSVs, being compact, can fit into smaller spaces with ease, reducing the time (and stress) spent circling the block. One of the recent LSVs I tested was a four-seater that measured just 7’9″ long (2.36 m).
Some cities even offer designated parking spots for compact vehicles like these. And in a pinch, you can often get away with parking in quasi-spots, like the edges of parking lots that aren’t technically full spots but also aren’t in anyone’s way or blocking traffic.
Weather protected tiny vehicles
One of the main factors keeping more people off of traditional bicycles and e-bikes is the weather. While many cyclists will tell you that “there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing,” it can still be difficult to convince some new riders to suit up in rain suits.
But many LSVs are fully enclosed like a traditional car, meaning rain isn’t an issue. Some models even have both heaters and air conditioning, making them excellent for winter and summer driving in comfort.
Even the more golf cart-style LSVs will often have options for soft doors to enclose them from the rain. Those doors can be removed in the summer for easy-going driving with plenty of fresh air.
LSVs can save you money
Say goodbye to hefty fuel bills! Most LSVs are electric, translating to pennies per charge compared to the soaring costs of gasoline. Even compared to electric cars, LSVs are much more efficient and so their charging bill is a mere fraction of a Tesla’s. Charging an LSV can cost as little as a single dollar depending on local electricity rates. Even in areas with expensive electricity, you’ll never spend more than the cost of a cup of coffee to “fill up your tank” in an LSV.
Maintenance is also typically less expensive than traditional vehicles, and the upfront cost of an LSV is usually significantly lower than that of a regular car. In fact, many LSVs are as inexpensive as golf carts, yet have the benefit of more safety features and of course are street legal.
Low-speed vehicles are more environmentally friendly
If you’re eco-conscious, LSVs are a dream come true. Emitting zero pollutants from their electric drivetrains, they’re a far cry from their gas-guzzling counterparts. Many young urban residents can’t afford a new electric car. Even if you can, you likely don’t drive enough miles in the city to justify carrying around a heavy and expensive 300+ mile (500+ km) battery.
By opting for an LSV instead, you’re not only making a statement about sustainable transportation, but you’re actively reducing your own carbon footprint.
And if you consider that your environment includes the people around you, LSVs are also healthier in another way: They’re significantly less deadly. The growth of cars, known as vehicle bloat, means that massively heavy trucks and SUVs are killing more cyclists and pedestrians than ever before. Since the lethality of a vehicle increases dramatically with both its speed and weight, LSVs are much safer than typical cars for everyone around them.
Cruise through a city with ease
The compact size of LSVs isn’t just good for parking. It also means LSVs can weave through traffic more efficiently.
This makes them perfect for quick trips across town or for those who prefer to avoid the main thoroughfares.
I once drove through Manhattan and Brooklyn in an LSV and found that at times I could use it almost like a bicycle or motorcycle to slip around gridlocked traffic. That’s not going to be the case all the time, but no one can debate the fact that smaller cars are more nimble, especially in crowded cities.
Less hassle, more freedom
Traditional car ownership in a city can feel like a chain rather than freedom. There are insurance premiums, annual checks, licensing, and the ever-present risk of theft or damage.
LSVs usually come with less red tape. Plus, their simpler mechanics mean there’s less that can go wrong, offering peace of mind.
While some jurisdictions require the same licensing and registration as traditional motor vehicles, others make LSVs ownership easier and less of a hassle. You’ll need to check your local regulations to determine how much easier it is to own an LSV in your city.
Not right for everyone, but great for many
Low-speed vehicles may not fit the needs of everyone out there. But with more cities adopting speed limits in the 20-30 mph range, these 25 mph vehicles can often travel anywhere in a city while being much more convenient to use. There are even great apps that can show you exactly which roads are LSV friendly.
If you’ve been feeling the pressure of city life with a car and yearn for a simpler, more efficient mode of transportation, it might be time to consider a low-speed vehicle. Embrace the freedom without the fuss and make your urban journeys a joy, not a chore!
Or, you know, you can be brave and try switching away from four-wheels all together for an electric bicycle!
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The new Quantum 3 battery energy storage system (BESS) from Wärtsilä is being describes as an intelligent, cutting-edge solution designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of utility-scale energy storage customers.
Housed in a 20-foot ISO container with single-side access, Quantum 3 is a complete AC block solution, with fully integrated and internalized batteries and string-based power conversion systems (PCS). That size was strategically chosen to facilitate global shipping and on-site transport using (relatively) small wheel loaders and top loaders, aiding in efficient on-site deployment and back-to-back configuration.
Coincidentally, that’s about the size our own Micah Toll chose to build his own off-grid charging hub – and if you haven’t ready about that, you need to.
Quantum 3 also features a sustainably designed housing (read: aluminum) for low weight, as well as advanced thermal controls that include low noise levels and a low global warming potential (GWP) cooling system, makes it a groundbreaking offering for meeting customers’ environmental and decarbonisation goals.
Wärtsilä built-in enhanced fire safety features are designed to ensure customer facilities are both fire-proof and future-proof.
“These are features we have worked extremely hard on and are very proud of. We have a proven track record of safe and reliable delivery worldwide,” says Andrew Tang, vice president of Energy Storage & Optimisation, Wärtsilä Energy. “Quantum 3 will help to further strengthen confidence among customers (utilities), local communities, and first responders that Wärtsilä’s systems will stand the test of time.”
Wärtsilä is sourcing Quantum 3 components from a geographically diverse set of suppliers, with manufacturing capacity across different regions of North America, Asia, and Europe. This should enable the company’s customers to take advantage of any local tax incentives while avoiding the kind of tariffs currently impacting global battery markets.
Wärtsilä grid scale BESS Specs:
- Fully integrated AC block for high system availability and optimised rack-level control to maximise system performance
- Industry-leading fire safety and cybersecurity features
- Increased energy density and back-to-back layout for optimum land use and efficient on-site deployment and configuration
- Standard 20-foot ISO container with a convenient weight for global shipment
- Sustainable design and cooling system with low GWP
- Advanced monitoring, control, and optimization from battery to fleet with Wärtsilä’s GEMS Digital Energy Platform
SOURCE | IMAGES: Wärtsilä, via Power Progress.
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Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer SANY has signed a strategic Agreement with European brand Alltrucks to fuel its expansion into the European market. (Probably.)
With this Agreement, the well-known brand Alltrucks will take on responsibility for the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair of the Chinese SANY eTruck vehicles in the EU. The company hopes an alliance with a trusted brand will help to alleviate customers’ concerns about adding “unknown” Chinese-built heavy equipment to their fleet.
“In Alltrucks, we have found a partner that shares our vision of sustainable mobility and has the necessary expertise and infrastructure to provide our customers with the best possible support,” explains Kevin Eichele, Head of Business Development at SANY eTrucks Europe. “Together, we will shape the future of freight transport in Europe.”
Alltrucks is a joint venture between Bosch, Knorr-Bremse, and ZF that offers 24-hour breakdown service, technical and marketing support, and an OEM-quality replacement parts network to truck fleets across the EU.
“We are delighted to be partnering with SANY eTrucks,” says Homer Smyrliadis, Managing Director of Alltrucks. “Our goal is to always offer our customers the best service. By working with such an innovative partner as SANY, we can further expand our service portfolio in the field of electromobility and make our contribution to sustainable mobility.”
The E-mixer shown (above) is the same model already in service at Pan-United Corp. It sends power to its wheels through a 6-speed transmission with significant torque multiplication, enabling it to claw up a 30% grade, even when fully loaded. (!)
Electrek’s Take
As a semi-professional journalist and passably professional person in general, I like to find at least two sources for any story. In this case, though, I couldn’t do that. As such, I feel like I need to tell you that the quotes used in this story are translated from a German email reportedly received by Electrive. The story does not appear on either the SANY Global or Alltrucks news pages, or (from the Google searches I tried) anywhere else.
It’s a significant story if it’s true – one that solves for the question of, “Where do I get my Chinese electric semi truck serviced?” with a very neat and tidy, “The same place you get your truck serviced now,” and I’m hoping that we’re just ahead of an embargo or something and that verification will come soon.
That said, take this one with a bit more than a grain of salt until that verification comes. Call it a teaspoon.
SOURCE | IMAGES: SANY (allegedly), via Electrive.
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After a successful pilot program, FedEx is expanding its electric delivery fleet with the purchase of 15 Workhorse W56 electric step vans.
Designed specifically to meet the demanding needs of commercial-scale last-mile delivery operations, the Workhorse W56 offers an efficient eAxle electric drivetrain, regenerative braking, and lightweight composite body panels to deliver superior efficiency, lower operational costs, and a reduced air pollution compared to diesel. The company believes these features make the W56 perfectly suited for the kind of stop-and-go delivery routes customers like FedEx, UPS, and (let’s face it) Amazon operate.
“FedEx is cultivating a strong roster of electric vehicle models that can meet the demands of our network,” says Pat Donlon, Vice President, Global Vehicles, FedEx. “In joining our fleet, the electric Workhorse W56 will be part of our story as we aim to transition our global parcel pickup and delivery fleet to all zero-tailpipe emissions vehicles by 2040.”
That fleet won’t just be cleaner – it’ll be much more efficient. According to the company’s press release, the W56 achieved an impressive 31 MPGe during FedEx’ real-world delivery route testing. That compares favorably to the national average fuel economy of 7 MPG for similar diesel delivery trucks, demonstrating significantly lower energy consumption per mile. Based on an average of 31,875 miles driven per vehicle per year, Workhorse says FedEx will be able to avoid an estimated 607 metric tons of harmful tailpipe emissions annually.
Electrek’s Take
Sharp readers will recall that UPS made headlines when it ordered 1,000 Workhorse delivery vans way back in 2018, and the company is still working to make good on that order following the completion of its Union City, Indiana manufacturing complex. Dubbed “Workhorse Ranch,” the company says its remodeled facility will be ultimately capable of building and painting 5,000 Workhorse vehicles per year on one shift.
In its 2023 financial statement, Workhorse claimed FedEx had seven Class 4 EV units in the delivery fleet, and that FedEx will begin electrifying its entire fleet to be electrified in 2024 with the first W56 step vans coming into service during Q1 2024.
We’re well into Q3 2024, obviously, but I don’t want to be seen as unreasonably harsh on Workhorse. Heck, a few quarters here or there seems downright reasonable on a Tesla Semi timeline – I just think a bit of historical context is needed whenever we talk about startups like this. Head down to the comments and let me know if you agree.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Workhorse, via the EVReport.
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