there is an old joke that everyone uses every time someone talks about an eruv being built - great, now I can drive to shul on shabbos, or something siilar.
According to Ynetnews, an organization of Conservative Rabbis, the Rabbinical Assembly, has approved a decision to allow members to drive electric cars on Shabbos. It must have been a heated debate as it came down to a 10-6 vote in favor with 5 abstentions.
While the idea is to use this for purposes related to Shabbat observance, such as going to shul, they recognize some might use it for unrelated travel and they warn against that. Using an electric vehicle for purposes other than enhanced Shabbat observance will violate the spirit of the day, even if it might not actually involve violating any prohibitions.
In the past what held up such a decision was it being pre-ev days when cars used combustion, possible need to perform repairs, along with the concern that drivers might drive drive beyond the boundaries of the eruv.
As part of this new decision they encourage drivers to only use the electric vehicle for purposes that enhance shabbat and that drivers should stay within the eruv.
I do wonder if "enhancing shabbat" is subjective or objective. Someone might say going for a ride in the countryside or relaxing on the beach enhances their Shabbat. Does that count or only driving to synagogue and back home or to friends homes for shared Shabbat meals? And what about if one wants to go to services in a farther away synagogue, maybe outside the boundaries of the eruv - is that ok because it enhances their Shabbat or are they limited to the nearby synagogue because of the eruv? And, are they building their own eruvs or are they relying on the Orthodox eruvs built in many cities with Orthodox communities, but in a place without this becomes irrelevant as no driving can be done with no eruv?
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