It seems the American public will have a new type of vehicle to opt for when looking to be green and keep acquisition and running costs down to a minimum. It’s a similar climate to the one that spawned Reliant Robin in the UK back in the day, but thankfully nowadays nothing that rubbish actually gets made.
Now it’s cars, or rather “autocycles,” like the Elio three-wheeler (or the Toyota i-Road) that are signaling the opening of a new chapter for personal mobility in the US. Lawmakers are having to adapt fast, and 26 states are reportedly already working to create the legal framework to better categorize these vehicles.
The really needs a federal classification system and that’s exactly what’s being introduced by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) under the name “Autocycle Safety Act.”
According to Vitter, the aim is to create “this recognition for autocycles will ensure their safety, create jobs, and encourage the same entrepreneurial spirit that created motor vehicles and motor cycles.
The proponent goes on to say that “this update to an outdated law will also help spur job creation in Louisiana, since Elio Motors has selected Shreveport for their manufacturing plant, and it will also ensure that imported vehicles of similar types will be covered by the same safety standards that domestic manufacturers will follow.”
The boss and founder of Elio Motors, Paul Elio, agrees with the new legislation proposition and says “Not only will Senator Vitter’s legislation provide consistency across all jurisdictions, but it strongly supports his efforts to bring jobs back to the Shreveport area.” Check out the company’s history in the video posted below!
Via TheDetroitBureau