TV Schedule

Cops bust solar car

  2. Mulcahey
  3. related topics
Minnesota state cops stopped our solar car today, claiming it wasn't legal to drive on the road. We produced all the documentation proving that it was, but they still got somebody from DC on the phone to check it out. After the DC guy took an hour and confirmed that we were all right, they decided that they still had to bust us for something. They moved on to our support vehicle, a full-size van hauling a trailer.

They tried to weigh our trailer to prove that it was too heavy or something, but they soon found they were wrong. Still determined to find SOMETHING, they looked at the stickers on it from all the companies that have donated parts and supplies to the solar car project over the last 9 years. Based on those stickers, they told us we were a "commercial vehicle" and said that we needed a commercial license. We told them that we in fact were a private vehicle, we didn't have any commercial sponsor for the tour, and that some of those stickers were older than the Bush administration. They wouldn't have any of it and told us that if we wanted to leave Stillwater, Minnesota we would have to comply with the commercial regulations.

Our experience is documented in the upcoming film "Chasing the Light," which will also appear on Current TV. In the meantime, check out what Minneapolis news has on the story.
Mulcahey

48 responses // Cops bust solar car

  • Imagine the greeting you would have gotten in Texas...
    recommended by  Neghie
    mcnewsan
  • This is something of great concern.

    This really is a deep issue that needs to be addressed.

    I see where this type of action by police and state is typical.

    I hope more people put more non-gas vehicles on the road, such that, there is no regulations for them. I think if someone has gone to the trouble of making a vehicle, it should be allowed on the road, since it will have been through basic tests, and really, it's more often up to the driver rather than the vehicle that causes accidents.

    Yes there is vehicle failure, and it all boils down to money, who is going to pay for someone else's mistake. It's about the lawyers, and money, if you ask me as to why a cop would pull over a car that needed a commercial license. Sounds like that license costs more than a reg car license. And most importantly, no one is profiting off this vehicle by means of the state.

    There is way to much to talk about this issue, see if anyone else can add to this, my comment is very basic. Help? thanks!!!

    Oly
    oly90808
  • To serve and protect? hah... that's a good one.
    Soap
  • dushbags!!!
    phukna
  • We don't like long hairs round these parts. Easy Rider II the solar years.
    dearmat23
  • Cool car dude.
    lukeskywalker
  • Texas would have executed them - LOL
    VoyagerFilms
    1 response to this
  • If Jay Leno can drive a 20's "a-woo-gah horn" car on the road with impunity you should be allowed to drive your "wave of the future" car.
    handshakeheartbreak
    1 response to this
  • oh gosh, Minnesota.

    Were they bike cops?
    chillwillNJ
  • you guys rule for creating the solar car to begin with.
    lindastrawberry
    2 responses to this
  • This is totally absurd behavior from these Officers to do that! It is also bizarre as millions of cars are there polluting the environment and your car that is not polluting is getting pressure from these Officers. I am totally with you guys, that was way too excessive and more to the persecution side.
    stopnoise
  • Should't they be encouaging solar car or somthing, i think this is quite rediculas, i also think those cops are abusing their duties as "law enforcers."
    biscuit009
  • Ignorance is a pain in the arse !

    Wikid car guys, keep up the good work
    Purdey
  • At least they didn't break out the taser...
    VigorousAlloy
  • Minnow-Sowtah.... rushing ahead into the 19th century.

    they'll catch up; just don't hold your breath...

    ps... all of their searching for issues to ding you?.... = revenue-makers.

    follow the money, especially if there are no brains or logic nearby...

    :)))))))))))
    plusaf
  • Damn, I'm going to college there, I'll make note to leave my solar car at home.
    iknew
  • Just another pointless stop to help power the egos of cops and their shitty job when crime is low and they have to meet a quota.
    mark_monroe
  • typical of police that are too inadequet to chase REAL CRIMINALS so instead bother those that really arent hurting anyone
    kkk
    • kkk
    • 3 months ago
    1 response to this
  • My cousin told a story yesterday that the local government here in Seattle shut down production on a very green car, I can't remember the technology exactly, because it's frame wasn't 'safe' enough. Such things will be happening more and more as the World of Dingbats enters the 21st Century.
    http://a-civilife.blogspot.com
    WillBFair
  • Good thing the government spent a small fortune hiring all those extra cops, becuase obviously they have a lot of serious police work to do.
    colmor
  • I hope someone spits on there dough-nuts.
    RonTayan
  • Wow, yet another story about american cops acting like complete and total jackasses.

    How completely not surprising.

    Sorry to hear that you guys had to deal with that. Clearly you do not deserve it. Keep up the cool work.

    In the meantime, you might want to consider relocating to a country that doesn't allow their police to behave like this because I don't see it getting better any time soon.
    iloveravi
  • how sad even thought in schools the come up with catchy slogans a cute commercials to save the enviroment you really dont want us to you rather we pay for high gas thats killing us and youre still getting your gas money out this solar car owner the goverment is a scorpion
    jerishair
  • US Police sucks, someone needs some education.
    petarro
  • That is not cool.This shows how some police officers are corrupt or abusive of their power.Not all law enforcers but there are few that do that.
    TeknologyBrainz
  • those police were jerks
    oneloveholli
  • Tell us why this is interestingVery good website. I liked it very much. Comments from http://www.delhiblossoms.com
    varunjain
  • Wow, the time and the trouble they went through is really appalling. Kudos for taking things in the right direction with the solar car!

    Now, I'm not sure how this works but when you think about cars being made today, mostly by car enthusiasts and classes, and engineering students or workers, I'm almost sure that someone has made a car that uses no gas or some other type of energy but when you think about it, what if they wanted to actually register the car, which generally all cars go through inspection by a federal inspector... do you honestly think they'd pass the car the way things are going.... I think not. :/ sad but true, I wanna Brazilian Flex car asap >_<
    dchild000
  • you should've been pulled over how dare you drive a car thats great for the environment, how dare you! lol
    ItsGoTime
  • Move to the UK friend.

    Recently the South Yorkshire Police caugh two people on the roof of a church with balaclavas and gloves on and carrying wrecking bars. Previous to this the roof had benn stripped of lead several times resulting in the church raising funds to the tune of £100,00.

    The men were allowed to go with the fantastic explanation that they were on the roof simply to enjoy the view!!
    themanwithadog
  • Those poor cops were freaked out of their minds.

    Boss! What in blue green acres is that!
    Well, I don't know Charlie. Looks like one'adem moon cars. Hang on there. I'm gonna git to da bottom a'dis.
    Neghie
    1 response to this
  • You know how it goes. Something different is worth abolishing!
    sueathome
  • thats crazy, many cops in america are too busy fighting stupid things like this and that could be part of the reason that the US has the largest number of gun deaths in the world,

    Please fight real crime, not science.
    Not_Doody
    1 response to this
  • dumb-ass-cops: a dime a dozen
    iamwilliamhello
  • I guess they were desperate to make their quota! Yet another example of lack of education in the people who are hired to serve the public. Wonder what the criteria is to join that police force...ability to walk upright and write tickets?
    Hellssatans
  • Police corruption at it's finest.
    electricsquiral
  • Goddamn pigs! what is their problem harassing a few eco-conscious responsible citizens! isn't their job to serve and protect?Like from ACTUAL criminals? Typical pigs...
    Surf_Kali
  • I was just having a conversation with my mom about how I trust cops way less than the average stranger
    sowamazing
  • Thats so lame. It seems like this happens anytime people get pulled over and the cops make a mistake.
    Greensboro
  • I say those are some of the dirtiest cops out there today… Worst then taken bribes. Because there going out of their way to take something good for everyone and this earth and trying to spin it around to make it look like they’re just doing their job.
    There job is not to be fucking dick heads and I say this now for all to hear. These are the types of cops that should be stripped of their badges and ass rapped in prison where they belong, and if that doesn’t happen then I hope they pull an armed man on the run over who already has 2 strikes against them and has no reason to live except to rip this earth of those filthy pigs.
    Head_Hunter
  • Any excuse will serve a tyrant.
    mkillackey3