Dear Source,
How could anyone in the U.S. Virgin Islands not consider the electric vehicle a must-have? Every government car should be one. Think of the millions of gallons of gasoline a year that would be saved.
But let's get to another and more important point. The article said, and I quote: "Attorney General Iver Stridiron, who opposes the legalization of low-speed cars, describes them as potential road hazards." Low-speed cars ? Where on St. Croix, except on Melvin Evans Highway and a very few sections of Queen Mary Highway (Centerline Road) is there a speed limit above 35 miles an hour? And slow-moving vehicles? Hmm … how about the backhoe I follow uphill at least twice a week at 3 miles an hour 'til 30 or 40 cars are behind it and the driver decides to pull over and let us pass? (This, of course, occurs only during morning rush-hour.)
The Minimoke should still be allowed in our islands and gas-guzzling autos should be abandoned. But we have to race around at 90 mph on Melvin Evans Highway.
Legalize the electric car and state simply that if it cannot reach the 55 mph speed on Melvin, then it is not allowed on that one road. It can cross the road easily going to the other side on an ancillary route.
Oh, wait. Let's pollute our islands. Burn more fossil fuels. Raise the cost higher. Sigh..
My nickel's worth.
Laurence A. Searles
St. Croix
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