Why are U.S. regulators against tiny cars?
Comments Off on Why are U.S. regulators against tiny cars?Source: Bloomberg
Bloomberg considers how European and Asian cities have found a place for small urban vehicles, while U.S. regulators seem keen to keep these small cars at bay
The tiny car is not unusual on the streets of Europe, as a Bloomberg reporter recently observed in Northern Italy, finding neighborhoods filled with compact vehicles commonly discussed in the U.S. but rarely seen in person.
Some notable sightings: In Turin, a Microlino, an electric revival of the 1950s “bubble car,” was spotted. Shortly after, a photo was taken of the Citroën Ami, a cube-shaped vehicle with a devoted following in Paris. In Milan, a sleek, two-tone Smart ForTwo zipped by, easily fitting into a tight parking space next to a Fiat Topolino and a motorcycle. Also spotted was the Biro, a vehicle so small it can be driven in Amsterdam’s bike lanes.
These mini cars come with various advantages. They easily fit into parking spaces that regular sedans and SUVs struggle with and are significantly cheaper. For instance, the Ami is priced at approximately €6,000 ($6,600), a fraction of the cost of a standard car. They are also lighter, have smaller blind spots, and pose less risk to pedestrians and cyclists. Their environmental impact is reduced as most of them are electric.
Aside from practicality, minicars are fun to drive. A Microlino review in The Verge referred to it as “urban delight,” and another headline praised the Fiat Topolino as “heart-melting.”
However, these minicars are not available in the U.S. The primary obstacle is not a lack of consumer interest, but rather restrictive regulations preventing the introduction of these innovative and practical urban vehicles. The term “minicar” generally refers to a range of vehicles that are larger than bicycles but smaller and slower than standard cars. Most are electric and designed for short trips, with modest battery ranges of about 50 miles.
Japan has embraced minicars for decades, with kei cars making up a significant portion of their new car sales. These small vehicles are cheaper and more manoeuvrable than full-sized cars. Similarly, in Asia and Europe, minicars thrive in urban areas where parking is scarce, and streets are narrow. European cities like Paris and Amsterdam have promoted their use by converting parking spaces into bike lanes and public areas, further encouraging the adoption of small, eco-friendly vehicles.
In contrast, the U.S. has not been as accommodating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires all cars to meet stringent safety standards, leaving little flexibility compared to Europe. In the U.S., minicars fall under the Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) category, which restricts their maximum speed to 25 mph. This limitation reduces their practicality, especially in areas where other cars move much faster.
There is, however, a workaround for U.S. minicar enthusiasts: vehicles more than 25 years old can be imported without having to comply with federal safety regulations. This loophole has sparked growing interest in vintage Japanese kei cars, especially among those seeking compact, practical trucks.
Recently, state-level crackdowns on kei cars have jeopardized this market. Several states, including Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas, have refused to register kei cars, deeming them unsafe. Despite efforts to reverse these decisions, it highlights the rigid nature of U.S. automotive policies, which prioritize the safety of car occupants over the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
While minicars may seem less safe on highways, the real danger comes from the oversized SUVs and trucks dominating American roads. These large vehicles pose significant risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and smaller cars, yet continue to be sold without much concern for their impact on road safety.
Ironically, minicars are considered unsafe, while enormous vehicles like Hummers, which can weigh up to 9,600 pounds, are deemed acceptable. Meanwhile, pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in the U.S. have reached a 40-year high, partly due to the growing size of American cars.
This contradiction reveals a major flaw in U.S. car regulations, which focus on vehicle occupant safety rather than the overall dangers posed by larger vehicles. Unfortunately, Americans are missing out on the many benefits minicars provide to urban residents in Europe and Asia.
