Low Speed Vehicles accelerating in the South Bay
People waved and cheered at the 42 Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs) parading through downtown Manhattan Beach Sunday afternoon. But only because the golf carts on steroids were decorated for Halloween. LSVs are now nearly as common in the Beach Cities as VW bugs were in the ‘60s, Land Rovers in the 2000s and Teslas today.
Their popularity begs the question, Why did it take so long? The typically electric vehicles are economical, environmentally friendly, and turn the tedium of driving into fun.
“You feel like you’re on vacation,” said Nick De Avila. “We can turn any house into a beach house.”
De Avilla recently opened Mars Cars on Sepulveda Boulevard, in Manhattan Beach.
He said the only thing stopping him from selling more cars are the Covid-related delays in the supply chain.
Manhattan Beach Police Officer Eric Johnson in his deparment’s Beach Buggy, during the Halloween Golf Cart parade. Riding shotgun is Officer Dale Edwards. The back seat driver is Officer Paul Curry. Photo by Kevin Cody
LSVs — sometimes referred to as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), though the definitions vary, based on who you ask — are street-legal on roads with a 35 mph speed limit. The vehicles’ top speed is 25 mph. LSVs require a driver’s license, have their own vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and meet certain federal safety standards.
“It’s a lifestyle,” said Amy Errett, owner of E3 Vehicles, in Hermosa Beach. “It’s a functional, practical toy.”
The former medical salesperson founded E3 Vehicles in 2016, after having had to drive to Costa Mesa to buy one for her family.
A 2015 study by the South Bay Council of Governments (SBCCOG) confirmed her confidence in her business decision.
The SBCCOG study found most trips taken by the study’s 51 South Bay participants were one to three miles, a distance, the study noted, is “too long to walk, and too short for public transit, but ideally suited for NEVs.”
In 2012, Governor Jerry Brown set a goal of 1.5 million Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) in California by 2025. The State’s goal is to be carbon neutral by 2045.
“Neighborhood electric vehicles could become part of the mix that helps meet that goal,” the SBCCOG study concluded.
“We want everybody to buy electric,” said SBCCOG executive director Jacki Bacharach. “But not everyone can afford a Tesla and not everyone needs a Tesla.”
Among the advantages LSVs have, at least in the parking-challenged Beach Cities. is ease of parking.
“I invent parking spots,” said De Avila, who has been known to park three LSVs in one parking spot by parking perpendicular to the curb.
Hermosa offers free meter parking for electric vehicles, and plans to add LSV charging stations at its downtown parking lots, according to Mayor Jason Massey. The city has Tesla charging stations, paid for by Tesla, throughout town, including a bank of 20 in the Vons Shopping Center.
Micro mobility vehicles such as electric bikes, scooters and skateboards have also surged in popularity in the Beach Cities. But LSVs offer as much passenger space, and almost as much cargo space as conventional automobiles.
LSVs also fit a range of budgets. Some retail for under $10,000. Mars Cars offers customized options that can drive the cost up to $80,000. Options include racing shocks, a 300 Watt Bluetooth sound bar, color light systems, custom seats, and surf rack
“They’re a local status symbol,” De Avila said. “It says I’m lucky enough to live close enough to the beach and exploit parking options.”
Businesses are also purchasing LSVs. E3 Vehicles has sold LSVs to Terranea Resort, restaurants and gyms.
The main reservation about LSVs is safety in traffic with larger cars.
“Would I drive one on Sepulveda? No, I would not,” De Avila said.
Will Reese, director of sales at E3 Vehicles, acknowledged being more cautious driving an LSV then when driving a full size automobile.
“It’s an exposed vehicle. Know what you’re getting into,” he said.
SBCCOG is promoting a Local Travel Network, which would designate more streets as slow-speed streets, to accommodate LSVs.
Bacharach said some segments of the Local Travel Network will be in place by next year.
“It will help reduce traffic congestion. We think there’s so much utility for LSVs. We just need roads where people can drive LSVs safely.” ER