HLS 19RS-3112 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 272
BY REPRESENTATIVE STOKES
MOTOR VEHICLES: Urges and requests the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission study
best practices for the regulation of all-electric three-wheel vehicles in this state
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission study best practices for the
3 regulation of all-electric three-wheel vehicles in this state.
4 WHEREAS, all-electric three-wheel vehicles, such as the Arcimoto Fun Utility
5Vehicle (FUV) and the Shockwave Motors' Defiant EV3 Roadster, are motorcycle-class
6vehicles, but they feel very different to drive than a motorcycle; and
7 WHEREAS, all-electric three-wheel vehicles are stable and balanced and do not
8require the driver to countersteer as is required of the driver of a motorcycle; and
9 WHEREAS, three factors determine the stability of a three-wheeled vehicle,
10regardless of the design: weight distribution, center of gravity, and the width of the track;
11and;
12 WHEREAS, the Shockwave Motors' Defiant EV3 Roadster is not designed like a
13top-heavy all-terrain vehicle, because the low center of gravity and wide track produces a
14stable ride with no more possibility of a rollover than you would find in a conventional car;
15and
16 WHEREAS, an Arcimoto FUV includes a series of safety features, such as the design
17of the upper frame to protect in the rare event of a rollover and the front face features impact
18energy absorption zones and seating, which includes a standard three-point safety belt paired
19with a second two-point belt over the opposing shoulder; and
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HR NO. 272
1 WHEREAS, an Arcimoto FUV's combination of an agile drive experience, stable
2form on the road, and heightened visibility (the FUV is easier for other drivers to spot on the
3road than a motorcycle) are essential to avoiding collisions; and
4 WHEREAS, Mr. Robert Q. Riley, a noted expert in three-wheel vehicles, commented
5about the stability of three-wheel vehicles and expressed the following: "A conventional,
6non-tilting, three-wheel car can equal the rollover resistance of a four-wheel car, provided
7the location of the center-of-gravity is low and near the side-by-side wheels; and
8 WHEREAS, Arcimoto FUVs are highly responsive, the controls are very simple and
9intuitive, and the extremely quiet ride and streamlined design make it easy for the driver and
10passenger to carry on a conversation; and
11 WHEREAS, the operator of an all-electric three-wheel vehicle, such as the Arcimoto
12FUV or the Shockwave Motors' Defiant EV3 Roadster, is required to wear a motorcycle
13helmet and obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement for legal operation within this state;
14and
15 WHEREAS, it is imperative that regulation of all-electric three-wheel vehicles, such
16as the Arcimoto FUV and the Shockwave Motors' Defiant EV3 Roadster, be revisited to
17determine if classifying this type of vehicle as a motorcycle is in the best interest of the state
18of Louisiana and the operators of these vehicles.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
20Legislature of Louisiana requests the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission study best
21practices for the regulation of all-electric three-wheel vehicles in this state.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission shall
23submit a report detailing the result of its study and its recommendations to the House of
24Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana prior to February 1, 2020.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
26executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
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HR NO. 272
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 272 Original 2019 Regular Session Stokes
Urges and requests the La. Highway Safety Commission study best practices for the
regulation of all-electric three-wheel vehicles in this state and submit a report detailing the
results of its study and its recommendations to the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of La. prior to Feb. 1, 2020.
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