New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets (NYCLASS) joined together with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in Manhattan Friday to reveal a scale model of a fully electric vintage-replica car.
Following the legislation Intro. 86, calling for a phase-out of horse carriages in New York City and replacing them with the 21st Century “Horseless Carriage”, NYCLASS has been working with car maker Jason Wenig of The Creative Workshop to design and develop an ideal model to compliment the charm of Central Park. The proposed program for these cars will provide New York City with the ability to expand the tourist attraction in a humane capacity, as well as draw in new revenue. Authentically styled and constructed to replicate turn of the century cars, the design inspiration is fashioned from a 1909 style. The cars will be made to propel solely by electric power with lithium-Ion batteries, providing cutting edge, clean energy with up to 10 hours of drive time per charge.
Car maker and designer Jason Wenig explained that, “Likened to The Magnificent Ambersons and the transition from horses to ‘motorized cars’, my goal is to inspire both New Yorkers and visitors alike with the elegance and nostalgia of yesteryear by delivering incredible cars so that this inevitable change occurs enthusiastically for my hometown.”
“The ASPCA has long supported the end of the carriage horse industry in New York City, and is thrilled to have a viable solution to removing the horses from NYC’s streets, where they spend their days inhaling fumes and their nights in stalls in tenement buildings with no opportunity to graze in pasture,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “This new eco-friendly electric car will ensure that the horses are removed from danger and suffering as well as provide residents safe, clean streets,” he added.
Unlike horse-drawn carriages, the electric vehicles will comply with government safety regulations and will be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
The eco-friendly cars will carry liability insurance comparable to the insurance carried by taxis, black cars, and pedicabs. Today, horse-drawn carriages are only required to carry $20,000 per carriage in insurance, compared to the $2 million for each pedicab company and the $200,000 for each pedicab. Horse-drawn carriages are also not required to carry worker’s compensation for drivers who are independent contractors.
Steve Nislick, Co-founder of NYCLASS stated, “New York City has long awaited this change. By incorporating 21st century technology and 19th century nostalgia, this eco-friendly car will create vast improvements in the industry. Together with the Department of Consumer Affairs, this business can be regulated, similar to the yellow cab industry, and prevent these systemic abuses.”
New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets is a 501(c)4 non-profit animal welfare and advocacy organization committed to improving the quality of life for residents and animals of the City of New York.
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