                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR CONVERTED ELECTRIC VEHICLES (§ 46.2-1001.1)

In addition to any other equipment required by this chapter, no converted
electric vehicle may be registered in or operated on the highways of the
Commonwealth without the following:

1. Orange-colored high voltage cables and high voltage markings on all conduit
containing high voltage cables. No high voltage cables may be attached to the
chassis of the vehicle in such a way as to cause the chassis to be used to
ground the electric current;

2. A breaker or fuse in the high voltage circuit that contains the traction
battery pack and the motor controller. Such breaker or fuse must be rated to
interrupt the expected maximum current at or above the battery pack voltage;

3. An externally mounted switch to open the high voltage circuit in case of an
emergency. Such switch must be located where the fuel tank filler cap was
located prior to conversion. Any cover protecting the switch must be able to be
opened from the outside of the vehicle;

4. Traction batteries mounted in secure nonconductive enclosures that provide
for limited access. Multiple enclosures may be used but must be connected by
high voltage cables encased in conduit made of metal, composite, or other
materials of comparable strength, crush, and abrasion resistance to metal or
composite;

5. If batteries other than lead acid batteries are used as traction batteries, a
temperature monitoring system that monitors the temperature of at least one
battery in each battery enclosure. Such system must warn the driver of the
vehicle if the temperature of the battery is rising rapidly or is above safe
levels;

6. Conduit made of metal, composite, or other materials of comparable strength,
crush, and abrasion resistance to metal or composite, encasing any high voltage
cables running under or outside of the vehicle. Such conduit must be secured to
the vehicle chassis and must not violate the ground clearance provisions of
&#xA7; 46.2-1063;

7. A vacuum system and pump, or comparable equipment, to maintain proper brake
function and capacity, as required by this chapter; and

8. Labeling on three sides of the vehicle identifying such vehicle as
&#8220;CONVERTED ELECTRIC.&#8221; Each label shall be at least six inches long
and consist of lettering at least three inches tall.
			At such time as the federal government establishes minimum equipment and
safety standards, including any related to synthetic vehicle sounds, for
converted electric vehicles, to the extent that such standards are different
from the standards established by this section, the federal standards shall
apply to converted electric vehicles in the Commonwealth. If any federal
standard conflicts with a standard set forth by this section, the stricter
standard shall prevail.

HISTORY: 2012, c. 177.