Japan Seeks to Squelch Its Tiny, Fuel-Efficient KEI vehicles

[rcjordan]

"accounted for 40% of new-car sales in Japan last year"

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/09/business/international/japan-seeks-to-squelch-its-tiny-cars.html

[Brad]

Wow.  I wish they could sell them in the US.

[rcjordan]

The Coast Guard base or its resident subcontractors use them here. Sometimes, they travel the state road that runs along the exterior perimeter.  Top speed seems to be about like a golf cart.

[littleman]

I've seen a few here too.  It looks like they are allowed in many states with restrictions on speed and where they can drive:
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/minitrucks

[rcjordan]

>restrictions on speed and where they can drive

Many states are doing street-legal golf carts now. VERY popular in resort communities. Probably the same rules.

<Added>
> Probably the same rules.

The rules themselves look the same but some states -like mine- have not specifically acknowledged minitrucks yet.

[Rooftop]

They just need "manning up" a bit

[rcjordan]

I like those halftrack treads but not the price.  Last I looked, they were about $1400 PER wheel for one that size.

I'm still on the Elio list, btw --and, somewhat surprisingly- they still haven't been outed as a scam.
http://www.eliomotors.com/

>laws

Elio has apparently had some success getting states to waive the helmet and motorcycle license requirements.

[Rupert]

My neighbour is just getting one of these.  Official mpg figures of 145 mpg for a 4x4. 

i think they ignore the electric bit, but thats a a guess.

http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/outlander/phev-overview.aspx