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Three-wheeler electric car has a right to be on the road They may look like clown cars or toys, but as of today, electric-powered vehicles are as legal to drive on streets as motorcycles.
Previously, the cars did not fit any vehicle descriptions in Ohio law. To be considered a motorcycle, the car would need a saddle seat. But most electric cars have traditional car seats.
To solve the problem, the state changed its definition of a motorcycle.
Starting today, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles will register and title three-wheeled electric cars the same as motorcycles.
"Due to the challenging economic times we are facing, there has been an increased interest in purchasing three-wheel vehicles to conserve gas," Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Henry Guzman said in a prepared statement.
Winning motorcycle status was key for electric-vehicle manufacturers, including Myers Motors, a Tallmadge-based company that makes a single-passenger, electric three-wheeler that can go 75 mph.
"We were really glad that the legislature stood up for electric vehicles in Ohio," said spokeswoman Kammy Willis. "Until it was passed, we weren`t sure we would be able to continue marketing in Ohio."
Owners will need motorcycle endorsements on their licenses to drive the vehicles. And even though the three-wheelers are enclosed, motorcycle law says new drivers must wear helmets for their first year on the road. © The Plain Dealer
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