[misterno]

http://money.cnn.com/video/

Here is my question; why is it so hard to manufacture cars similar to golf carts but a with a body around it but same range and a little more speed?

Why is it so hard?

[kpeavey]

Take a golf cart, offer it for sale and allow it to be used on the streets for local transportation/commuting. When it rains, a windshield will be needed, as well as a roof, and doors while your at it. The indshield will fog up, so add in a blower. When its cold outside, a heater will be needed to keep the driver warm. Gotta have seat belts to comply with regulations. If the thing is gas powered, a muffler is a must, as well as a catalytic converter. A roll cage for collision protection. Baby seat restraints and air bags comply with more legislation. Be sure to include adequate lighting for nighttime use, as well as interior lighting.

Legislation and regulations which promote safety and the equipment needed for comfort add tremendous amounts of weight to a vehicle.

I think golf carts offer a transition vehicle. They are small, lightweight, and can travel at speeds sufficient to get you around town in a reasonable tome. They can haul a few hundred pounds, can be run on gas, rechargable batteries, and SOLAR PV.

A problem arises when the traffic mix includes big rigs, SUVs, trucks, big heavy fast moving cars. In a collision, the golf cart is toast.

[eastbay]

Take a golf cart, offer it for sale and allow it to be used on the streets for local transportation/commuting. When it rains, a windshield will be needed, as well as a roof, and doors while your at it. The indshield will fog up, so add in a blower. When its cold outside, a heater will be needed to keep the driver warm. Gotta have seat belts to comply with regulations. If the thing is gas powered, a muffler is a must, as well as a catalytic converter. A roll cage for collision protection. Baby seat restraints and air bags comply with more legislation. Be sure to include adequate lighting for nighttime use, as well as interior lighting.

Legislation and regulations which promote safety and the equipment needed for comfort add tremendous amounts of weight to a vehicle.

I think golf carts offer a transition vehicle. They are small, lightweight, and can travel at speeds sufficient to get you around town in a reasonable tome. They can haul a few hundred pounds, can be run on gas, rechargable batteries, and SOLAR PV.

A problem arises when the traffic mix includes big rigs, SUVs, trucks, big heavy fast moving cars. In a collision, the golf cart is toast.

One solution might be to restrict their use to roads where traffic is limited to slower speeds thereby minimizing the degree of damage in the event of a collision with a heavier vehicle. I believe small electric car owners enjoy the benefit of legally operating on slow-speed roads without all that otherwise mandatory safety stuff. The problem for many, including me, is that many roads have speed limits over 35 mph so it's not possible to reach the slower speed sections of town. Which means many of us can't legally operate them past our driveways. A common sense solution is to reduce speed limits and make exceptions for slower electric cars. Such legislation is overdue.

Motorcycle, scooter, and and bicycle riders face similar dangers and seem to get by fairly well.