No. H 183/08
For release - August 6, 2008
OTTA WA - With an updated federal definition of low-speed vehicles (LSVs), manufacturers of small LSV trucks can now begin to market them across Canada, announced the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Tr ansport, Infrastructure and Communities today. These low-speed trucks are designed for use such as grounds keeping, landscaping, and in certain industrial and institutional settings such as campuses and resorts, where they can be operated safely.
"The marketing of zero-emissions, electric low-speed trucks in Canada is good news. These low-speed trucks are environmentally friendly and represent one more step in our government's ambitious environmental agenda," said Minister Cannon. "While greener vehicles are the future, LSVs should be used in controlled low-speed environments like campuses and retirement communities, where the risk of entering into a collision with a faster motor ve hicle would be lower than on public roads."
While LSVs provide a substantially lower level of safety than conventional types of vehicles such as cars, they can safely be used on university campus es, in parks and retirement communities, and on military bases where the maximum speed is 40 km/h and the presence of larger and faster vehicles is controlled.
Road use of LSVs, including vehicle licen sing, is a matter for provinces and territories to regulate. Transport Canada continues to remind licensing authorities, as well as manufacturers and consumers, that the safety standards for LSVs do not match those of other motor vehicle classes. Conventional passenger cars must meet up to 40 safety standards, whether they are powered by electricity, gasoline, diesel, propane or natural gas.
"While low-speed cars and trucks are good for the enviro nment, they should not compromise the safety of Canadians," added Minister Cannon. "The Government of Canada supports cleaner transportation solutions that can continue to provide the current high level of safety on our roads so Canadians can be nefit."
The federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations have always required that LSVs:
- be powered by an electric motor;
- produce no emissions;
- have four whe els; and
- drive at a maximum speed of between 32 km/h and 40 km/h.
Through the ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles Program and the Transportation Development Centre, Transport Canada encourages vehicle manufacturers to design and make elect ric cars and trucks that meet all of the safety standards that apply to conventional cars and trucks. This way, electric vehicles can offer the same level of occupant protection as conventional vehicles without tailpipe emissions or negative impact on loc al air quality.
Transport Canada develops safety standards and regulations for new vehicles and vehicles imported for use in Canada.
The amendment was initially published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on December 22, 2007. The final amendment was published on August 6, 2008, in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
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Contacts:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/e-news and keep up-to-date on the latest from Tra nsport Canada.
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