ELECTRIC PATROL VEHICLE ACT

Act 55 of 1997

AN ACT to authorize a political subdivision to enact an ordinance allowing certain electrically powered vehicles to be operated on a highway within the political subdivision's boundaries; to require certain equipment for electrically powered vehicles; to provide for restrictions and limitations; to provide for exceptions; and to define terms.


History: 1997, Act 55, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1997




The People of the State of Michigan enact:


257.1571 Short title.

Sec. 1.

     This act shall be known and may be cited as the "electric patrol vehicle act".


History: 1997, Act 55, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1997





257.1572 Definitions.

Sec. 2.

    As used in this act:
    (a) "Electric patrol vehicle" means an electrically powered motor vehicle designed to carry not more than 4 persons at a speed of not more than 25 miles per hour and having an unloaded weight of not more than 1,300 pounds.
    (b) "Political subdivision" means a village, city, township, county, or a university of this state.
    (c) "Sidewalk" means a paved public sidewalk intended for pedestrian use situated outside of and adjacent to the improved portion of a street or highway designed for vehicular travel.


History: 1997, Act 55, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 90, Eff. June 24, 2018





257.1573 Electric patrol vehicle; operation; prohibition.

Sec. 3.

     Except as provided in section 4, an electric patrol vehicle shall not be operated on a street or highway of this state.


History: 1997, Act 55, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1997





257.1574 Electric patrol vehicle; operation by law enforcement, emergency service, and parking enforcement employees; authorization.

Sec. 4.

    Subject to section 5, a political subdivision may, by ordinance, authorize law enforcement, emergency service, and parking enforcement employees of the political subdivision to operate an electric patrol vehicle on a street, highway, or sidewalk within that political subdivision's boundaries.


History: 1997, Act 55, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 90, Eff. June 24, 2018





257.1575 Electric patrol vehicle; limitation.

Sec. 5.

    An electric patrol vehicle authorized under section 4 shall be limited as follows:
    (a) To a street or highway with a posted speed limit of not more than 25 miles per hour.
    (b) To crossing a street or highway with a posted speed limit of not more than 50 miles per hour.
    (c) To a sidewalk.


History: 1997, Act 55, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 90, Eff. June 24, 2018





257.1576 Electric patrol vehicle; equipment; exemption.

Sec. 6.

    (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), each electric patrol vehicle authorized under section 4 shall have all of the following equipment:
    (a) Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle.
    (b) Not less than 2 head lamps that enable the operator of the vehicle to see a person not less than 100 feet to the front of the vehicle.
    (c) Not less than 2 rear lamps that comply with section 697 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.697.
    (d) A windshield of safety glass as defined in section 711 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.711.
    (e) A horn as defined in section 706(a) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.706.
    (f) Safety belts designed and installed with brackets and of sufficient strength to hold a passenger during a collision.
    (g) A parking brake sufficient to hold the vehicle in a stopped position.
    (h) Reflectors that reflect an amber or red color as required for motor vehicles by section 690 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.690.
    (2) Except as provided in subsection (3), an electric patrol vehicle that has 3 wheels or less shall have all of the following equipment:
    (a) Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the vehicle.
    (b) One or 2 headlamps that enable the operator of the vehicle to see a person not less than 100 feet to the front of the vehicle.
    (c) At least 1 rear lamp that complies with section 697 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.697.
    (d) A horn as defined in section 706(a) of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.706.
    (e) A parking brake sufficient to hold the vehicle in a stopped position.
    (f) Reflectors that reflect an amber or red color as required for motor vehicles by section 690 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.690.
    (3) A political subdivision may, by ordinance, exempt an electric patrol vehicle from subsection (1) or (2).


History: 1997, Act 55, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1997 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 90, Eff. June 24, 2018





257.1577 Crash helmet required; exception.

Sec. 7.

    (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person operating or riding in an electric patrol vehicle shall wear a crash helmet on his or her head. The crash helmet shall meet the requirements of the rules promulgated by the department of state police under section 658 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.658.
    (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person operating or riding in an electric patrol vehicle equipped with a roof that meets or exceeds the standards for roof-crush resistance, provided under 49 C.F.R. 571.216, or to an incapacitated person being transported to a place of safety.


History: 1997, Act 55, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1997



Rendered 8/14/2025 11:35 PM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov