Pennsylvania Act 2014-154 — VEHICLE CODE (75 PA.C.S.) - NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES, OPERATION OF PEDALCYCLES WITH ELECTRIC ASSIST AND OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION

Act text

Session of 2014

No. 2014-154

HB 573

AN ACT

Amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in financial responsibility, providing for neighborhood electric vehicles; in special vehicles and pedestrians, providing for operation of pedalcycles with electric assist; and, in inspection of vehicles, further providing for operation of vehicle without official certificate of inspection.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The definition of "pedalcycle" in section 102 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended and the section is amended by adding definitions to read:

§ 102. Definitions.

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this title which are applicable to specific provisions of this title, the following words and phrases when used in this title shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:

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"Neighborhood electric vehicle." A four-wheeled electric vehicle that has a maximum design speed of not less than 20 miles per hour and of not more than 25 miles per hour and that complies with the Federal safety standards established in 49 CFR 571.500 (relating to standard no. 500; low-speed vehicles).

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"Pedalcycle." A vehicle propelled solely by human-powered pedals or a pedalcycle with electric assist . The term does not mean a three-wheeled human-powered pedal-driven vehicle with a main driving wheel 20 inches in diameter or under and primarily designed for children six years of age or younger.

"Pedalcycle with electric assist." A vehicle weighing not more than 100 pounds with two or three wheels more than 11 inches in diameter, manufactured or assembled with an electric motor system rated at not more than 750 watts and equipped with operable pedals and capable of a speed not more than 20 miles per hour on a level surface when powered by the motor source only. The term does not include a device specifically designed for use by persons with disabilities.

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Section 2. Title 75 is amended by adding sections to read:

§ 1788. Neighborhood electric vehicles.

(a) Minimum coverage requirements.--A neighborhood electric vehicle that is registered or operated on a highway shall be covered by financial responsibility in the amount of $15,000 for injury to one person in any one accident, in the amount of $30,000 for injury to two or more persons in any one accident and in the amount of $5,000 for damage of property of others in any one accident. The financial responsibility shall be in a form acceptable to the department.

(b) Exemption from other coverages.--For a neighborhood electric vehicle, no person shall be required to purchase and no insurer shall be required to offer or make available any other coverages contained in this chapter.

§ 3514. Operation of pedalcycles with electric assist.

No person under 16 years of age shall operate a pedalcycle with electric assist.

Section 3. Section 4703(b) of Title 75 is amended by adding a paragraph to read:

§ 4703. Operation of vehicle without official certificate of inspection.

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(b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) does not apply to:

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(14) A neighborhood electric vehicle.

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Section 4. This act shall take effect as follows:

(1) The following provisions shall take effect May 1, 2015:

(i) The addition of the definition of "neighborhood electric vehicle" in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102.

(ii) The addition of 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 1788 and 4703(b)(14).

(2) The remainder of this act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 22nd day of October, A.D. 2014.

TOM CORBETT