ZENN is now legal in Canada

**Tideland Prius** · 11-08-2007, 08:50 PM

ZENN Motor Company, the Toronto-based electric car manufacturer, has recently been granted use of Transport Canada's National Safety Mark. Its vehicle now meets and/or exceeds all noise and emission standards for Canada's low-speed vehicle class.

ZENN needed this safety approval in order to sell its vehicles in Canada. Of the ten provinces and three territories, only British Columbia currently has low-speed vehicle regulations in place. Consumers across the country now have more options when shopping for a small, environmentally-friendly vehicle.

Zero-emission cars such as the one developed by ZENN might help us meet our national greenhouse gas reduction targets. Driving a ZENN vehicle results in a 77-percent net reduction in CO2 emissions when recharging the batteries through traditional energy sources. And when renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are used, the ZENN is 100-percent pollution-free.

The company will be working with several provinces, including Quebec and Ontario, to develop on-road regulations for low-speed vehicles with a range of up to 60 kilometers.

Source: Auto123.com

samiam · 11-08-2007, 09:07 PM

Looks nice TP,
have you run across any reviews or heard of anyone having had a test drive in a ZENN?

**Tideland Prius** · 11-08-2007, 11:49 PM

This isn't much:
http://www.qc.ec.gc.ca/dpe/travelalternati...lletin_3_dec_01

Here's a Q&A:
http://carp.ca/display.cfm?cabinetID=263&a...documentID=2737

The thing is, it's a 2 seater just like the Insight and the smart fortwo although it seems longer than either of them. 56km range is a bit shorter but again it is a NEV. There is an upgrade battery pack though. I have no idea how it compares to the Xebra.

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 11-09-2007, 04:40 AM

I would seriously consider one as a second car if the laws were amended to allow them to go 40 MPH.

As it is now, the top speed is just too restrictive for most city driving.

If I were king, I would decree a new standard . . . a City Electric Vehicle (CEV).

1) Must meet the same equipment requirements as NEVs. (lights, brakes, crash worthiness, weight, etc.)
2) Governed to a top speed of 40 MPH, thereby allowing it on any city street with a posted speed limit of 50 MPH or less.
3) For added safety, the addition of full front and side airbags.

Build one of those, I'd be the first in line at the dealer.

**Tideland Prius** · 11-09-2007, 01:52 PM

A CEV sounds like a better concept than a NEV.

25mph is quite slow. Heck, I wouldn't even be able to take it to school cause there's a short 4km 80km/h "highway" that leads to the campus. I certainly would not like to drive on the shoulder (since that's where the cyclists ride).

A 30km range won't do either since it's almost exactly 30km to school and back.

I wonder how it'll do on SF's hills.

douglas001001 · 11-09-2007, 06:33 PM

I sat in/rolled around a parking lot in a ZENN, nice and comfortable and appears to work perfectly for what its marketed to do.

Are they limited in speed due to safety requirements or not enough range/power? Didn't realize it was possibly due to laws and not just capability.

**Tideland Prius** · 11-09-2007, 10:33 PM

I think it's limited by the law to be classified as a "low-speed" vehicle.

DaveinOlyWA · 11-10-2007, 12:16 PM

i have one. just got it. i did get the 35 mph upgrade (fastest allowed by WA State law for NEV's). it is very roomy for front passengers.

the first one sold in WA state was bought by City of Tumwater and i saw it driven by a guy who had to be at least 6'5". he was a big guy. his job is checking water meters, so he is either VERY tired of the Zenn or it provides him enough room to be comfortable.

there is also a guy in CA who cracked the software code and got his Zenn to do 41 mph... my dealer is checking out the reliability of the crack and hopefully, i will be able to get that installed as well.

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 11-10-2007, 02:02 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Nov 10 2007, 09:16 AM) [snapback]537697[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

there is also a guy in CA who cracked the software code and got his Zenn to do 41 mph... my dealer is checking out the reliability of the crack and hopefully, i will be able to get that installed as well.[/b]

Congrats on the Zenn

.
Unfortunately, for my needs, the 25 MPH just doesn't cut it. I would be too restricted where I could go in Sacramento.

40/41 would be much better for my needs, even if it reduced the range by half. But still, driving a hacked Zenn on a road posted over 35 MPH would still be illegal, and without all around airbags, probably a deathtrap.

King Patrick demands a CEV specification!

DaveinOlyWA · 11-10-2007, 02:13 PM

i drive my 35 mph Zenn on roads posted at 40 mph... is that illegal?? i think not

11-08-2007, 08:50 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,755 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	ZENN Motor Company, the Toronto-based electric car manufacturer, has recently been granted use of Transport Canada's National Safety Mark. Its vehicle now meets and/or exceeds all noise and emission standards for Canada's low-speed vehicle class. ZENN needed this safety approval in order to sell its vehicles in Canada. Of the ten provinces and three territories, only British Columbia currently has low-speed vehicle regulations in place. Consumers across the country now have more options when shopping for a small, environmentally-friendly vehicle. Zero-emission cars such as the one developed by ZENN might help us meet our national greenhouse gas reduction targets. Driving a ZENN vehicle results in a 77-percent net reduction in CO2 emissions when recharging the batteries through traditional energy sources. And when renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are used, the ZENN is 100-percent pollution-free. The company will be working with several provinces, including Quebec and Ontario, to develop on-road regulations for low-speed vehicles with a range of up to 60 kilometers. Source: Auto123.com __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

11-09-2007, 04:40 AM	#4
Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,012 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 15 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	I would seriously consider one as a second car if the laws were amended to allow them to go 40 MPH. As it is now, the top speed is just too restrictive for most city driving. If I were king, I would decree a new standard . . . a City Electric Vehicle (CEV). 1) Must meet the same equipment requirements as NEVs. (lights, brakes, crash worthiness, weight, etc.) 2) Governed to a top speed of 40 MPH, thereby allowing it on any city street with a posted speed limit of 50 MPH or less. 3) For added safety, the addition of full front and side airbags. Build one of those, I'd be the first in line at the dealer. __________________ My words are my word. I refuse to actively participate in any forum where my written words can/are changed by the powers that be. If you don't like what I wrote, delete it – but don't put words in my mouth that aren't mine. Good-bye.

11-10-2007, 12:16 PM	#8
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,521 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	i have one. just got it. i did get the 35 mph upgrade (fastest allowed by WA State law for NEV's). it is very roomy for front passengers. the first one sold in WA state was bought by City of Tumwater and i saw it driven by a guy who had to be at least 6'5". he was a big guy. his job is checking water meters, so he is either VERY tired of the Zenn or it provides him enough room to be comfortable. there is also a guy in CA who cracked the software code and got his Zenn to do 41 mph... my dealer is checking out the reliability of the crack and hopefully, i will be able to get that installed as well. __________________ My 2006: Last tank 463.1 miles @49.2 pump (49.4 computer) 4.22 cpm winter mpg 50.70 summer mpg 54.59 lifetime: 33,038.3 miles 52.79 mpg pump (54.04 mpg computer) 5.74 cpm My 2007 Zenn Driven 5849 miles, 2.00 cpm/ 105 mpg (at $2.05/gal), 4.04 miles/ Kwh Savings over my Prius $300.79 The Corolla...567.79 The REAL SAVINGS from not driving Corolla 657.39 +Prius= 958.18 (excludes maintenance costs...would be unfair to ICE vehicles) My Plate: DUALPWR (Dual Power)

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11-08-2007, 09:07 PM	#2
samiam Antipodean Prius Poster Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Enn Zed Posts: 1,776 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Looks nice TP, have you run across any reviews or heard of anyone having had a test drive in a ZENN?

11-08-2007, 11:49 PM	#3
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,755 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	This isn't much: http://www.qc.ec.gc.ca/dpe/travelalternati...lletin_3_dec_01 Here's a Q&A: http://carp.ca/display.cfm?cabinetID=263&a...documentID=2737 The thing is, it's a 2 seater just like the Insight and the smart fortwo although it seems longer than either of them. 56km range is a bit shorter but again it is a NEV. There is an upgrade battery pack though. I have no idea how it compares to the Xebra.

11-09-2007, 01:52 PM	#5
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,755 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	A CEV sounds like a better concept than a NEV. 25mph is quite slow. Heck, I wouldn't even be able to take it to school cause there's a short 4km 80km/h "highway" that leads to the campus. I certainly would not like to drive on the shoulder (since that's where the cyclists ride). A 30km range won't do either since it's almost exactly 30km to school and back. I wonder how it'll do on SF's hills.

11-09-2007, 06:33 PM	#6
douglas001001 smug doug Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 204 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I sat in/rolled around a parking lot in a ZENN, nice and comfortable and appears to work perfectly for what its marketed to do. Are they limited in speed due to safety requirements or not enough range/power? Didn't realize it was possibly due to laws and not just capability.

11-09-2007, 10:33 PM	#7
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,755 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	I think it's limited by the law to be classified as a "low-speed" vehicle.

11-10-2007, 02:13 PM	#10
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,521 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	i drive my 35 mph Zenn on roads posted at 40 mph... is that illegal?? i think not