Momentum V93?

[Elio Amazed]

The AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicles Administration), the authority on best policy for all state DMV's and Licensing Bureaus, is recommending the Elio be driven with a standard driver's license."

Come on...Completely wrong?

Well...

 

[Elio Amazed]

I didn't mean to pee on the fire scouts, but I think my original question is still an issue on a few levels.

 

[floydv]

I hope you're right Seth.
But it doesn't work that way. There's a lot of red tape, recommendations, proposed changes, studies, tests, time limits for challenges and shifting of responsibility up and down through the entire agency to deal with. Changes are few, have to be justified and are usually slow in happening.
Everyone wants to be sure their butts are covered. It took one manufacturer that I spoke with three years to get their vehicle certified.

There's only been two "exemptions" so far, and those were completely unofficial and off the books.
The two reasons they were given a "look the other way" pass is that both vehicles had side-to-side seating and are WIDE.

The Tanom Invader is 83" wide.
The Campgna T-Rex is 78" wide.

The Elio has a track (center rim to center rim) of 66.8"

The Morgan is 68" wide and it didn't get a pass (https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...for-decision-of-inconsequential-noncompliance). As one reader noted, Morgan's response to NHTSA's denial of their petition seems to be that they'll install new lights to comply with the 8" rule, while keeping the original headlights and using them as running lights (http://oppositelock.kinja.com/morgans-three-wheeled-motorcars-headlights-are-too-fa-1479650393).

As the reader inferred, Morgan may have meant it will install the DOT-compliant headlights just so the vehicle would be compliant as it left the factory, but the compliant headlights could be removed by the owner, who will then have the original headlights as intended by Morgan. This could be an approach used by Elio to have its cake and eat it too.

 

[Elio Amazed]

The Morgan is 68" wide and it didn't get a pass (https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...for-decision-of-inconsequential-noncompliance). As one reader noted, Morgan's response to NHTSA's denial of their petition seems to be that they'll install new lights to comply with the 8" rule, while keeping the original headlights and using them as running lights (http://oppositelock.kinja.com/morgans-three-wheeled-motorcars-headlights-are-too-fa-1479650393).

As the reader inferred, Morgan may have meant it will install the DOT-compliant headlights just so the vehicle would be compliant as it left the factory, but the compliant headlights could be removed by the owner, who will then have the original headlights as intended by Morgan. This could be an approach used by Elio to have its cake and eat it too.

The center lights look to be a somewhat more permanent design on the new Morgan models.
The outer headlamps on this EV Morgan violate a second requirement by being too close to the ground.

Another requirement that has to be met when you have both wide and center lights...
Is that, in so many words, the outer lights cannot overpower the center light(s).

According to documents about the petition and it's subsequent failed appeal...
The Fed's are currently requiring Morgan to retrofit it's vehicles for any owners who wish to have it done.
Morgan has agreed to do so. Fortunately for Morgan, there are a surprisingly few number of affected Morgans in the US.

The article says only 139 vehicles are affected.
Many of the Morgans in the U.S. fall under a grandfather classification.
In other words, they were manufactured before those particular requirements existed.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/morgans-three-wheeled-motorcars-headlights-are-too-fa-1479650393

 

[airforceguy6]

Nope. That's not the issue. Regardless of what other lighting they have, MCs must have a single headlamp in the middle of the vehicle or two headlamps less than 8" apart placed evenly placed to the vertical center line. And that's whether they're enclosed or not. The only two exemptions that have been unofficially granted. Those were granted to VERY WIDE enclosed 3-wheeled MCs with side-by-side seating.

Elio Amazed, I contacted Elio back in November about this issue, and they say they are aware of the NHTSA standards and are "going through the appropriate steps to make sure they will be on par with the standards". Here is a link to the post #367:

https://www.elioowners.com/threads/...ectric-email-11-2-15.6693/page-37#post-169512

I'm really hoping they get an exemption for the headlight rule, because what they did with the Solo project to ensure compliance to this same requirement looks terrible. However, not betting on it personally. I also see them requesting at least reflectors on the wheels, if not lighting. The Spyder has some decent lighting stock for the wheels, and lots of aftermarket as well.

 

[electroken]

That article helps explain the 120 amp alternator-on-steroids.

Not completely. Two standard H4 high beams account for only 10 amperes. The tail lamp assembly would max out at around 5 amperes with all 5 bulbs illuminated.

 

[Ekh]

Are we there yet ? I think before, or when Elio starts production, there should be a finalized federal autocycle definition.
H.R.2892 - Autocycle Safety Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2892/text

Elio is working on this. I understand they're dealing with lethargy, uncertainty, and, to some extent, possible active resistance by an existing car maker. Sorry, no details available. Once gain, it's imperative that EM find ways to get the Trump administration behind this program. Given the 5 degrees of separation principle, SOMEONE here knows someone who knows someone, etc.

If you want autocycle legislation enacted, talk to your Senate and House members, in person if possible. Tell them why the Elio is good for jobs right away, and that its mission is to enable people to get to jobs, all while saving a ton of money and greenhouse gases.

This is a positive message. Elio is telling it, but they do not have a cast of thousands. We do. So ... become an activist. But e careful to be factually correct. Do your homework. Find out what your house and senate people care about and how EM can benefit that.

I don't know if HR2892 has been re-introduced into the new congress. I'll see if I can find out.

ekh

 

[wizard of ahs]

Agreed..... the more voices, the better.

 

[Sailor Dog]

Agreed..... the more voices, the better.

Is is true, could it be, no posts since Donald Trump...possibly... became a member & a voice on this EO Forum...WHAT'S UP???

 

[Coss]

Is is true, could it be, no posts since Donald Trump...possibly... became a member & a voice on this EO Forum...WHAT'S UP???

It's easy, it was someone who was given some time off, and thought it be funny to try to sneak back in under that name.