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Legality of LSVs / NEVs / NZEVs by Jurisdiction
Last updated 2019.05.11
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We do not sell NEVs, LSVs, NZEVs or MSVs. We think zero-emissions low-noise LSVs and NEVs are a great form of urban transportation, and in particular suitable to indoor/outdoor operation. We think they are poised to explode in popularity, where they are not being hindered by government and institutional barriers. We do sell Soneil battery chargers, both high and low current models, which would be ideal for charging LSVs / NEVs.
United States 2009 Federal Tax Credit for Electric Vehicles applies to NEVs!!
Current laws, regulations & rules by Canadian Province / Territory
The following information has been gathered from a variety of sources, and is believed to be correct. However, please verify the rules for your jurisdiction before acquiring or operating an NEV/LSV/MSV. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the information presented here as rules are changing and enabling / prohibiting legislation is complex and unique by jurisdiction. If you believe the information here is incorrect or out of date, please let us know.
The Canadian federal government has created a national vehicle classification that largely mirrors the U.S. rules. In general, provincial and territorial rules for road vehicles are not permissive. Therefore, if there are no rules, the vehicles are not permitted as the vehicle classification is not approved for on-road use.
These progressive British Columbia municipalities have legalized LSVs:
City of North Vancouver buys their own LSV truck. Way to go, North Van!
(Saanich, Sidney and Vernon have expressly rejected these environmentally-friendly, zero-emissions vehicles from its streets.)
If I have missed your B.C. community and it permits NZEVs, please let me know.
Manitoba - unknown - as of June 12, 2008 (Bill 15 amended the Highway Traffic Act so that regulations related to low speed vehicles could be established, (see section titled "Regulations re low-speed vehicles"), but to date I cannot find any such regulations in force).
New Brunswick - illegal
Newfoundland - illegal
Northwest Territory - illegal
Nova Scotia - illegal
Nunavut - illegal
Ontario
When it comes to LSVs, Ontario has officially legalized unicorns for on-road use
Ontario's Web page on LSV rules for road use.
As of July 1, 2017, Ontario has decided to launch another pilot project to pretend that they will allow LSVs on roads in the province. Like before, this is a farce. Not only does it require additional equipment to be installed which is not required in any other North American jurisdiction, they have added the BC municipal bylaw wrinkle. Nor do they indicate who can quality for inclusion within the pilot program. Still with me and want to play? Well, then you can head on over to one of the two (yep, count'em TWO) ServiceOntario locations in all of Ontario which can process your registration paperwork. Transport Canada claims (May 2019) that 4 companies are registered to manufacture LSVs in Canada. In looking for these companies in web searches, it appears at least one business is defunct and the others appear to produce only industrial vehicies (mini-trucks), but nothing really resembling a passenger vehicle.
While Ontario technically permits LSVs on their roads posted at speeds 50 km/h and below as of March 21, 2009, they have added a unique set of at least 5 requirements beyond the federal standard set out in CMVSS 500, knowing that no manufacturer currently meets, or is prepared to meet, those additional standards for a small market. In other words, the only vehicles that meet Ontario's LSV rules are completely fictional, like unicorns. Further, the Ontario rules explicitly outlaw the building of one-off LSVs by individuals, even if they want to meet Ontario's odd requirements. The additional requirements show a conscious and determined ignorance of the history of LSVs, the reason for the FMVSS 500 / CMVSS 500 rules in effect for NEVs / LSVs in the U.S. and Canada, the solid safety record of LSVs throughout North America to date, a refusal to embrace an environmentally friendly transportation option, and a refusal to harmonize laws with other North American jurisdictions.
Prince Edward Island - illegal
Quebec - currently 2 models (both made in Quebec) are allowed on Quebec roads posted up to 50 km/h under a pilot project (2008 - 2011) - vehicles limited to 40 km/h. Since the pilot project began, one of the vehicles permitted within it, the ZENN, has ceased production (in early 2010). The only other legal vehicle under the pilot program is a utility truck, the Nemo, which is not very attractive for residential householder use.
As of May 10, 2018, it appears Quebec now allows a single model of LSV on specific roads. https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/modes-transportation/low-speed-vehicle/
Saskatchewan - illegal
Yukon - illegal
Current laws, regulations & rules by U.S. State
U.S. law allows NEVs to qualify as either Low Speed Vehicles (maximum speed 25 mph) or Medium Speed Vehicles (maximum speed 35 mph). Originally NEVs were all LSV class, and states are slowly embracing the MSV NEV.
The following information has been gathered from a variety of sources, and is believed to be correct. However, please verify the rules for your jurisdiction before acquiring or operating an NEV/LSV/MSV. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the information presented here as rules are changing and enabling / prohibiting legislation is complex and unique by jurisdiction. If you believe the information here is incorrect or out of date, please let us know.
Alabama - unknown
Alaska - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Arizona - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph,
must display notice of restrictions on use
Arkansas - no NEV specific regulations
California - Legal on roads posted up to 35 mph
Colorado - Legal on roads posted up to 35 mph if approved by municipality
Connecticut - Illegal
Delaware - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
District of Columbia - no information
Florida - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Georgia - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Hawaii - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph,
must display notice of restrictions on use
Idaho - Legal on roads posted 25 mph or less - may not even cross roads posted at higher speeds
Illinois - Legal 35 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Illinois Law 096-0653 (recent amendments regarding low speed vehicles took effect
January 1, 2010)
Indiana - Legal 35 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Iowa - Legal on roads posted up to 35 mph
Kansas - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 40 mph
Kentucky - Illegal (as near as I can tell, there is
passed legislation pending which will make NEVs ('alternative electric vehicles' in Kentucky)
legal after January 1, 2010)
2008.08.05
Louisiana - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Maine - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Maryland - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 30 mph
Massachusetts - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 30 mph (as of July, 2009)
Michigan - Legal on roads posted up to 35 mph
Minnesota - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Mississippi - no information
Missouri - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Montana - Legal 35 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 45 mph
Nebraska - Illegal
Nevada - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
New Hampshire - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
New Jersey - Legal on roads posted 25 mph or less, municipalities may allow use on roads posted up to 35 mph
New Mexico - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph, must display notice of restrictions on use
New York - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
North Carolina - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
North Dakota - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Ohio - Legal (2002) references federal LSV rules
Oklahoma - (since 2001.11.01) Legal 35 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
From Statutes of Oklahoma: "§47-11-805.1. Low-speed electrical vehicles - Restrictions on operation.
A. No person shall operate any low-speed electrical vehicle on any street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour. B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a street or highway with a posted speed limit greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour. C. This section shall not prevent a city from adopting any ordinance that would further restrict low-speed electrical vehicles from operating on certain city-owned streets in order to ensure the public health and safety. D. This section shall be a part of and supplemental to the rules of the road as provided in Section 11-101 et seq. of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Added by Laws 2001, c. 243, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2001."
Oregon - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Pennsylvania - Illegal
Rhode Island - Legal on roads posted up to 25 mph (Prudence Island only between hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
South Carolina - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
South Dakota - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Tennessee - Legal 35 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 40 mph
Texas - Legal on roads posted up to 35 mph
Utah - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph, must show slow moving vehicle marker on rear of vehicle
Vermont - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Virginia - Legal 25 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 35 mph
Washington - Legal 35 mph vehicle speed limit, operate on roads posted up to 45 mph
West Virginia - Legal on roads posted 25 mph or less
Wisconsin - Legal on roads posted up to 35 mph, subject to municipal regulations (LSVs or NEVs must be approved in each municipal jurisdiction)
Wyoming - Illegal
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