This week’s SmartCar roundup features a new ordinance that favors EVs, a gun to stop cars in their tracks, and AAA updates list for cars fit for the elderly.

Palo Alto’s new EV city ordinance

.

The biggest drawback of owning an electric vehicle is finding a place to charge it. It would be wise to have your very own charging station, requiring some electrical renovations to your home. Now, Palo Alto’s city council passed a new ordinance that would require new, single-family homes to come equipped with EV chargers.

This ordinance not only resolves the issue of sparse charging stations but it helps the city’s infrastructure in being one step closer to becoming one of the greenest cities in the U.S. “I think it does take us a step closer to being that first city in the nation to be so completely green,” said Council Member Liz Kniss.

According to city development services director Peter Pirnejad, adding an EV charger would add up to $500 to the cost of a new home, while putting one in an already existing home would cost 10 times that amount.

RF Safe-Stop

.

It’s tricky to stop vehicles that are travelling really fast. Using tire deflators could seriously cause injuries, while using other types of blockades could prove fatal. Now, a British company has come up with a solution that can stop vehicles safely.

Steampunk ray gun

The pulse gun can be used to stop vehicles who refuse to halt in sensitive locations such as military bases, airports and even private compounds.

Andy Holt, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Holt of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), evaluated the RF Safe-Stop. He stated that it has potential but that it’s still in its early days.

No information is available yet regarding whether or not the device can be used to stop old cars which do not have computer boxes and use primitive electrical circuits.

AAA updates list for cars fit for the elderly

.

According to the AAA, nearly 90 percent of motorists aged 65 and older suffer from health concerns that affect driving safety. Such health concerns include poor eyesight, and a lack of flexibility or muscle strength. To help seniors make better decisions regarding car purchases, the AAA has created a list of cars containing smart features that would help them drive safely.

“Although older Americans are healthier now more than ever before, the aging process can diminish a person’s vision or limit range of motion that could impact their driving,” explained Jake Nelson, Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy and Research at AAA. “The good news is that AAA found that more than 200 vehicles have one or more smart features that can help the aging driver deal more effectively with these conditions.”

Some of the smart features added to the list includes six-way adjustable seats, keyless entry and ignition, thick steering wheels, and in-car displays with contrasting text.

photo credit: drwhimsy via photopin cc

photo credit: Ѕolo via photopin cc

photo credit: boolve via photopin cc