MotorVehicleRegs.COM

Arizona Repeals LEV Program

2012-02-09T11:16:05-05:00

On Feb. 3, 2012, a Notice of Final Rulemaking was published in the Arizona Administrative Register repealing the AZ Clean Car Standards. The repeal was effective Jan. 10, 2012. See AZ Administrative Register, Feb. 3, 2012, Vol. 18, Issue 5

A Review of Past NHTSA Defect Investigations

2012-02-03T10:35:16-05:00

Dale Kardos & Associates, Inc. has released an update of its report, “A Review of Past NHTSA Defect Investigation.” The report consists of defect precedent tables (developed by DKA Inc.) for thirty-five of the most frequently investigated defect areas. These include:

ABS

Accelerator Pedal

Ball Joint

Brake Lamp/Switch

Brake Line

Coil Spring

ESC

Eng. Comp. Fire

Explosion

Frame

Fuel Leak

Fuel Tank Puncture

Glazing

Head Lamps

Ignition

Parking Brake

Power Steering

Rack & Pinion

Refueling

Seatback

Seatbelts

Side Airbag

Sliding Door

Speed Control

Stalling

Steering Column

Steering Wheel

Suspension

Tailgate

Throttle

Turn Signal

Transmission

Wheel Rim

Wheel Separation

Windshield Wiper

Each precedent table contains the following information:

Make/Model

NHTSA Case ID #

Population

Problem

Investigation Statistics

Complaint Rate per 100,000 vehicles

Crash Rate per 100,000 vehicles

Fire Rate per 100,000 vehicles

Injury Rate per 100,000 vehicles

Fatality Rate per 100,000 vehicles

Warranty Rate as a percent of the recall population

Investigation Outcome Summary

The information contained in the defect precedent tables has been compiled from the Closing Resumes prepared by NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigations (ODI). Altogether, there are approximately 478 separate investigations included in the 35 precedent tables.

To download a sample of an earlier version of the report, click Download SAMPLE REPORT.

The report is available for purchase. To inquire, please contact Dale Kardos via email at dale.kardos@motorvehicleregs.com or by phone at (202) 306-4997.

NHTSA Publishes Interim Guidance for Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Equipped with High Voltage Batteries

2012-02-01T10:37:33-05:00

NHTSA has published Interim Guidance for Electric and Hybrid-Electric Vehicles Equipped with High Voltage Batteries (DOT HS 811 574). Developed with the assistance and expert input of the National Fire Protection Association, the Department of Energy (DOE) and others, the interim guidance for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles identifies appropriate post-crash safety measures for vehicle owners and the general public, emergency responders, and for towing/recovery operators and vehicle storage facilities.

This interim guidance is intended to serve as a general reference for vehicle operators and responders. It was developed using current best practices and instructions from vehicle and battery manufacturers and others. It is not intended to replace information issued by the vehicle manufacturer, but rather to be used as a supplement to vehicle-specific guides.

NHTSA, together with the Department of Energy, is continuing to explore strategies to ensure that the public and responder community receive the best information in the shortest possible time. The agency hope that this guidance will help to inform activities to educate responders and the public about electric vehicles including efforts already underway by DOE, NFPA, vehicle manufacturers, and others.

Part 575 Consumer Information (Tire fuel Efficiency Rating Information)

2012-01-23T12:18:23-05:00

On January 25, 2012, NHTSA will publish a notice in the Federal Register announcing that will hold a public workshop in San Francisco, CA on Feb. 3, 2012 to obtain input on how the agency should amend its consumer information program in 49 CFR Part 575 so as to promote the tire fuel efficiency. This upcoming workshop follows up on NHTSA's March 30, 2010 final rule which required tire manufacturers rate the fuel efficiency of their tires. The final rule did not specify how the information would be explained or provided to consumers which is now the task at hand. Based on the input received from the workshop, NHTSA intends to publish a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking.

Persons interested in participating in the workshop may want to review documents concerning research NHTSA has finalized since the March 2010 final rule. Participants should also know that NHTSA is especially interested in receiving input on the following topics:

1) rolling resistance coefficient (RRC) versus Rolling resistance force (RRF),

2) experience in other countries,

3) laboratory alignment, and

4) future production.

Persons wishing to attend or speak at the workshop must register in advance no later than Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 and written comments must be received by Feb. 17, 2012.

NHTSA contact: Mary Versailles, Tel: 202-366-2057, Office of International Vehicle, Fuel Economy and Consumer Standards, mary.versailles@dot.gov.

CARB Diesel Verification Procedure

2012-01-22T12:48:22-05:00

California Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) staff has posted the presentation that will be given at the public workshop to discuss the proposed amendments to the Verification Procedure, Warranty, and In-Use Compliance Requirements for In-Use Strategies to Control Emissions from Diesel Engines (Verification Procedure) that will be presented on January 19, 2012. The presentation is now available at the Verification Procedure webpage:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/in-use/workshop_presentation_1-19-12.pdf

Along with minor changes and clarifications, the proposed amendments to the Verification Procedure include the following:

• Additional changes to the in-use compliance testing requirements including when testing is required and the adoption of an in-field testing option

• Recall provisions

• Changes to the pre-installation compatibility assessment provisions including additional requirements for installers of verified DECS

• Clarification of the definition of a warrantable event and warranty reporting requirements

• Changes to the backpressure monitoring requirements for filter-based DECS

For more information about the January 19th workshop, please go to:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/mailouts/msc1136/msc1136.pdf

For more information about the Verification Program, please go to:

http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/verdev.htm

Backup Camera Rule

2012-01-20T11:47:44-05:00

On January 10, 2012, DOT Secretary LaHood informed Congress that the agency will be extending the deadline for issuing the Rear Visibility Final Rule until February 29, 2012. Previously, Secretary LaHood had told Congress that the final rule would be issued by December 31, 2011.

Tax Credits Proposed for Fuel Efficient Vehicles

2012-01-20T11:44:16-05:00

On Jan. 18, 2012, Rep. Kucinich introduced legislation (H.R. 3784) that, in addition to imposing a windfall profit tax on oil and natural gas, would establish an income tax credit for purchases of fuel-efficient passenger vehicles. Known as the “Gas Price Spike Act of 2012,” the legislation would establish tax credits (ranging from $3,000 to $6,000) for the top 10% of fuel efficient vehicles. To qualify, the vehicles must be assembled in the U.S. by individuals employed under a collective bargaining agreement. To get the $6,000 credit, the vehicle fuel economy must be at least 65 mpg. To get the $4,500 credit, the vehicle’s fuel economy must be in top 5% relative to fuel economy. If a vehicle is in the top 10% range, but not the top 5%, then it would earn a $3,000 credit. The credits would apply to taxable years ending after the date of enactment. The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means as well as the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

GHG Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy Duty Engines and Vehicles

2012-01-13T11:02:59-05:00

EPA has published a document containing a record of the answers the agency has completed to date to the questions submitted by industry before, during and after the November 3, 2011 workshop. Regulated parties may use this document to aid in achieving compliance with the regulations for heavy-duty vehicles (40 CFR Part 86, 1037; and, 49 CFR Part 523,534 and 535) and heavy-duty engines (40 CFR Part 1036; and, 49 CFR Part 523, 534 and 535). For a copy, click here.

2017-2025 CAFE/GHG NPRM

2012-01-13T09:56:45-05:00

On January 13, 2012, NHTSA and EPA published a notice in the Federal Register at 77 FR 2028 announcing that they are extending the comment period for the joint 2017-2025 CAFE/GHG NPRM to February 13, 2012. The extension does not apply to NHTSA’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement which is available online at www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy. The comment period for NHTSA’s Draft EIS closes on January 31, 2012.

EV Tax Credit Repeal

2012-01-06T13:10:41-05:00

On December 30, 2011, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) introduced legislation (H.R. 3768) that would amend the IRS tax code to repeal the credit for plug-in electric drive vehicles. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways & Means.