Some Mainers Electric Vehicles Curbed By The State

KENNEBUNK (NEWS CENTER) -- One man in Kennebunk decided that to save money, he'd buy a small electric car for his business. The problem is that the state doesn't think it's a car. They are now revoking his registration, saying its not street legal.

Tom Joyal, the owner of a Zap electric car, said, "Part of the reason I recycle is my Yankee ingenuity I guess, and because to replace it takes resources and trees and all of the above."

He has done architectural salvage for fourteen years. He bought his Zap electric vehicle to help the environment, and cut down on gas expenses.

"This isn't going to take the place of gas by any means. I still have 4 other trucks that still use gas, but it has its place."

He's been tooling around town for the past three months. Then he received a letter from the state saying his vehicle doesn't meet the definition of a motorcycle or a low-speed vehicle.

Don Cookson, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State, commented, "There have been a number of other vehicles that have been brought to our attention because certainly people are looking for ways to find some solution to the problem of gasoline approaching four dollars a gallon."

The Secretary of State's office says this is a case of state law not keeping pace with technology, but Tom Joyal disagrees.

Tom said, "#3 is autocycle and it means an enclosed motorcycle, originally manufactured as an autocycle, and it is designed to have no more than 3 wheels in contact with the ground at anytime."

Tom read the state motor vehicle inspection manual. He says his vehicle is an autocycle and street legal.

The secretary of state's office says it's willing to take another look at the issue.

"We certainly want to take an opportunity to review the vehicle and the way that it is configured, see how that fits within the existing confines of state law and see what changes to make to either the vehicle or to the law to make it a viable alternative for people."

Tom says he'll wait and see. "I don't see that there is any lawbreaking right now, zero, there is none, and that is how I am going to proceed."