Eco Trans Alliance & Cruise Car Partner to Provide the Largest Renewable Energy Transportation Systems Company for Low Speed Settings in the World

Sarasota, Florida – May 11, 2010/PR Newswire – Eco Trans Alliance, LLC (ETA) and Cruise Car, Inc. (CCI) announced a corporate partnership today. The relationship will establish them as the world’s leading resource for Renewable Energy Transportation Systems for Low Speed settings for:  Colleges, Resorts, Military Bases, Federal Agencies, Residential Communities, Golf Courses, Municipalities, Corporate and Health Care Campuses.   ETA will provide solar-electric vehicle and battery technology including Sunray Solar Top Conversion Kits (which qualify for 30% Federal Tax Credits) and Eco Ports (solar-electric charging stations) for Cruise Car electric vehicles.

ETA’s newest product offering includes “Sunray Solar Top Conversion Kits” which retrofit almost every major brand and size of low speed electric vehicle offered in the marketplace today. These attractive fiberglass tops with embedded solar panels provide the highest wattage known in the industry.

Solar roofs on electric vehicles provide an estimated additional 5-10 miles per day of driving distance, reduced energy costs and a zero carbon footprint when operating on solar; an exciting value for fleet owners and eco-conscientious consumers. “This is the beginning of a real recognition that renewable energy is no longer a convenience but a necessity” said Kenneth Chester, President of Eco Trans Alliance. “More and more organizations and individuals are looking for ways to reduce green house gases and any low speed setting is a perfect venue for Sunray tops” he said.

Using ETA’s new product designs, experienced transportation engineers and affiliates work together to provide efficient Renewable Energy Transportation Systems. ETA helps organizations develop a transportation plan, reduce operating expenses, increase fleet efficiencies and create a sustainable, eco-friendly environment.  Products include:  custom designed solar charging structures, solar tops for electric vehicles, and rapid charging stations.  Services include: complete transportation infrastructure design for low speed settings, energy and fleet assessment. Visit: www.ecotransalliance.com. Cruise Car, Inc. sells affordable electric and solar-electric hybrid low speed vehicles: utility vehicles, buses, transports, golf carts, and recreational. As a GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract holder, Cruise Car sells and ships to U. S. government facilities throughout the world and is the only authorized manufacturer approved to sell solar-electric vehicles to all Federal agencies.

Media Contact:

Mary Anne Bowie, FAICP
Eco Trans Alliance, LLC
242 So. Washington Blvd, #322
Sarasota, FL   34236
941-355-6371 phone

Low Speed Vehicles for your Community

1. What is a Low Speed Vehicle?   Any four-wheeled electric vehicle capable of achieving a top speed between 20 and 25 mph. Low- speed Vehicles must comply with the safety standards (such as seat belts, turning signals, mirrors, licensed drivers, etc)  in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, sections 571.500 and Florida Statutes 320.01 and  316.2122 and be licensed as required under state guidelines. There is a significant difference between a traditional golf cart and a low speed vehicle, even through low speed vehicles may often look like golf carts. Additionally, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration limits LSV to those vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3000 pounds.

2. Where is it Legal to Drive a Low Speed Vehicle?  Florida Statutes 316.2122 notes that a low speed vehicle may be operated only on roads as defined in F.S. 334.03 which includes a way open to the public, including but not limited to, a street, highway or alley.  The term includes associated sidewalks, the roadbed, the right-of-way, and all culverts, drains, sluices, ditches, water storage areas, waterways, embankments, slopes, retaining walls, bridges, tunnels and viaducts necessary for the maintenance of travel and all ferries used in connection therewith , but only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.   This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.

3. Can Local Governments Prohibit Low Speed Vehicles?  Yes, according to F.S. 316.2122, a county or municipality may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any road under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

4. Can Municipalities Use Low Speed Vehicles?  With recent Florida legislation, municipalities are authorized to utilize Cruise Car’s low speed, street legal vehicles upon any state, county or municipal roads located within the corporate limits of such municipalities for municipal purposes, including, but not limited to: police patrol, traffic enforcement, and inspection of public facilities. Additionally, state employees, state park volunteers, and state park visitors are authorized to use Cruise Car’s low speed, street legal vehicles upon any public roads within the boundaries of state parks. (See FS 316.2126 effective July 1, 2009 for further clarification.)

5. What Grants are Available to Purchase Low Speed Vehicles for Governments?  Two current sources of available funding include:

• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants; counties and cities with larger populations receive automatic funding; small locales will receive funds through the state of Florida on a competitive basis for fourteen eligible activities.  Visit http://www.eecbg.energy.gov for allocations.  Contact tony.morgan@eog.myflorida.com  for state grant application, guidance and timing.
• Federal Parks can explore the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Grant, now renamed the Paul Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program. http://www.fla.dot.gov/funding/grants/grants financing 6106.html   

Consulting To Guide Your Community to a LSV  Sustainable Transportation Solution Is Available.  Please Contact Mary Anne G. Bowie, FAICP, Sustainability Leader, Eco Trans Alliance  Phone:   941.355-6371