Friday, February 22, 2002
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Friday, February 22, 2002 |
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Cox, Westmoreland seek law giving tax credit for low speed vehicles The Georgia Legislature will consider a new law to legitimize low speed electric vehicles for use in Georgia. The vehicles, such as the Global Electric Motorcar (GEM), were originally allowed to be registered for Georgia vehicle tags just like regular automobiles. But the state Department of Motor Vehicle Safety put a stop to that, alleging that Georgia law didn't have a category for the low speed vehicles. The law would also allow individuals who purchased the vehicles prior to Dec. 31 to receive the tax credit offered by the state for low emission vehicles. Those who purchased a low speed electric vehicle this year would be covered under a similar bill next year, according to officials. A number of Peachtree City residents bought low speed electric vehicles at the end of last year. The GEM car, which travels at speeds up to 25 mph, looks similar to a golf cart but has more safety features such as seat belts and turn signals. The Peachtree City Council has approved the use of the GEM car on its cart path system with the caveat that it only be used at its low speed setting, which reaches up to 15 mph. The bill, which is being brought up in the House of Representatives by local state Reps. Kathy Cox and Lynn Westmoreland, also has support from Rep. Tom Buck, the chairman of the Ways and Means committee which will consider recommending the bill for passage. "We hope this will finally eliminate the nightmare the people of Fayette County have been going through," Westmoreland said. "It is vital that we get the tax credit to those who were promised it under state law." Cox said she hopes Buck's support allows the bill to move quickly towards passage.
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