ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 272
BY REPRESENTATIVE STOKES
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to study best practices for
the regulation of all-electric, three-wheel vehicles in this state.
WHEREAS, all-electric, three-wheel vehicles, such as the Arcimoto Fun Utility
Vehicle (FUV) and the Shockwave Motors' Defiant EV3 Roadster, are motorcycle-class
vehicles, but they feel very different to drive than a motorcycle; and
WHEREAS, all-electric, three-wheel vehicles are stable and balanced and do not
require the driver to countersteer as is required of the driver of a motorcycle; and
WHEREAS, three factors determine the stability of a three-wheeled vehicle,
regardless of the design: weight distribution, center of gravity, and the width of the track;
and
WHEREAS, the Shockwave Motors' Defiant EV3 Roadster is not designed like a
top-heavy, all-terrain vehicle, because the low center of gravity and wide track produces a
stable ride with no more possibility of a rollover than you would find in a conventional car;
and
WHEREAS, an Arcimoto FUV includes a series of safety features, such as the design
of the upper frame to protect in the rare event of a rollover and the front face features impact
energy absorption zones and seating, which includes a standard three-point safety belt paired
with a second two-point belt over the opposing shoulder; and
WHEREAS, an Arcimoto FUV's combination of an agile drive experience, stable
form on the road, and heightened visibility (the FUV is easier for other drivers to spot on the
road than a motorcycle) are essential to avoiding collisions; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Robert Q. Riley, a noted expert in three-wheel vehicles, commented
about the stability of three-wheel vehicles and expressed the following: "A conventional,
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non-tilting, three-wheel car can equal the rollover resistance of a four-wheel car, provided
the location of the center-of-gravity is low and near the side-by-side wheels"; and
WHEREAS, Arcimoto FUVs are highly responsive; the controls are very simple and
intuitive, and the extremely quiet ride and streamlined design make it easy for the driver and
passenger to carry on a conversation; and
WHEREAS, the operator of an all-electric, three-wheel vehicle, such as the Arcimoto
FUV or the Shockwave Motors' Defiant EV3 Roadster, is required to wear a motorcycle
helmet and obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement for legal operation within this state;
and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that regulation of all-electric, three-wheel vehicles, such
as the Arcimoto FUV and the Shockwave Motors' Defiant EV3 Roadster, be revisited to
determine if classifying this type of vehicle as a motorcycle is in the best interest of the state
of Louisiana and the operators of these vehicles.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana requests the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission to study best
practices for the regulation of all-electric, three-wheel vehicles in this state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission shall
submit a report detailing the result of its study and its recommendations to the House of
Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana prior to February 1, 2020.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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