MotorVehicleRegs.COM

Truck and Bus ESC

2012-05-16T17:42:05-05:00

On May 16, 2012, NHTSA announced a proposal to establish a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 136 to require ESC systems on truck tractors and certain buses with a GVWR greater than 11,793 kilograms (26,000 pounds).

According to NHTSA, about 26 percent of new truck tractors and 80 percent of new buses affected by this proposed rule will be equipped with ESC systems. NHTSA believes that ESC systems could prevent 40 to 56 percent of untripped rollover crashes and 14 percent of loss-of-control crashes. This would translate into preventing 1,807 to 2,329 crashes, 649 to 858 injuries, and 49 to 60 fatalities at less than $3 million per equivalent life saved, while generating positive net benefits.

As proposed, compliance with the new requirements would be required two years after the final rule is published, however, some products will have an additional two years before compliance is required.

Comments on the notice will be due 90 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register.

A public hearing will be held in the summer and NHTSA will announce the date for the hearing in a forthcoming Federal Register notice.

NHTSA Contacts: For technical issues, George Soodoo, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, (202) 366-4931. For legal issues, David Jasinski, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-2992.

Congressional Budget Office Issues Study on the Effect of Proposed Light Duty Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards on the Highway Trust Fund

2012-05-02T16:37:59-05:00

According to a May 2, 2012 study released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the proposed light duty vehicle fuel economy standards would reduce revenues going into the Highway Trust Fund by 21 percent. Specifically, the CBO estimates a $57 billion drop in revenues credited to the trust fund for the period 2012 – 2022.

To address the possible shortfall, the CBO provides several possible solutions. One solution is to transfer more money from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund which is the action Congress took to address the shortfall each year from 2008 to 2010. An alternative would be increasing the gasoline tax by 5 cents per gallon. CBO further notes that a combination of fuel taxes and VMT taxes might be an even better idea.

For a copy of the study, click here.

Tariff reduction proposals

2012-04-26T17:57:24-05:00

On April 23, 2012, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) introduced multiple bills (S.2329, S.2330, S.2331, S.2332, S.2333, S.2334, S.2335) intending to reduce or suspend tariffs on the following items: direction injection fuel injectors, hybrid electric vehicle inverters, stator/rotor parts, power electronic boxes and static converter composite units, motor generator units, lithium ion electrical storage batteries, and high pressure fuel pumps. The bills have all been referred to the Committee on Finance.

NHTSA EV Safety Symposium Announced

2012-04-23T06:55:02-05:00

NHTSA will hold a symposium on May 18, 2012 in Washington, DC to discuss safety considerations for electric vehicles powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Topics to be covered include: NHTSA’s ongoing research on Li-ion battery safety; DOE’s perspective on Li-ion battery safety; an overview of industry voluntary standards applicable to Li-ion batterypowered vehicles; emergency response procedures relevant to Li-ion battery-powered vehicles; and other safety issues, including those related to battery management systems, battery design parameters, and safety testing. The meeting will be open to the public but due to space limitations, pre-registration is highly recommended. To register, visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/events/register.cfm and fill out the on-line form provided.

NHTSA contact: for technical issues: Mr. Charlie Case, NHTSA Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, telephone (202) 366-5319, e-mail address: charlie.case@dot.gov. For logistical issues: Mr. Chris Morris, NHTSA Office of Vehicle Safety, telephone (202) 493-2218; e-mail address: christopher.morris@dot.gov.

For a copy of the meeting announcement, click here.

Accelerator Control Systems (FMVSS 124)

2012-04-15T19:52:51-05:00

In an NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 16, 2012, NHTSA has proposed to revise the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for accelerator control systems (ACS) in two ways. First, they have proposed to amend the Standard to address more fully the failure modes of electronic throttle control (ETC) systems and also to include test procedures for hybrid vehicles and certain other vehicles. These amendments would apply to light vehicles, trucks and buses. Second, they have proposed to add a new provision for a brake-throttle override (BTO) system, which would require that input to the brake pedal in a vehicle must have the capability ofoverriding input to the accelerator pedal. The BTO requirements would apply to new passenger cars, MPVs, trucks and buses < 10k lbs GVWR equipped with ETC.

NHTSA is proposing to amend FMVSS 124 in two ways. First, they are proposing to update the normal operation and fail-safe operation requirements. This would apply to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses, regardless of weight. Second, they propose to add a new Brake-Throttle Override (BTO) system requirement for vehicles ≤ 10k lbs that have electronic throttle control (ETC).

Proposed mandatory compliance dates are as follows:

For the disconnection requirements: first September 1 after the final rule publication in the Federal Register (most likely 9/1/13)

For the BTO requirements: second September 1 after the final rule publication in the Fed Register (most likely 9/1/14)

Comment deadline: June 15, 2012.

Docket reference: Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0038.

Platform Lifts

2012-04-06T13:17:12-05:00

On April 5, 2012, NHTSA published a final rule amending the platform lift standards (FMVSS 403 & 404). With the final rule, NHTSA is revising the lighting requirements for lift controls, the location requirements, performance requirements, and test specifications for threshold warning signal; the wheel chair retention device and inner roll stop tests; and the lighting requirements for public use lifts. The notice also discusses a November 3, 2005 interpretation clarifying specific procedures that are performed as part of the threshold warning signal test.

Mandatory compliance with the final rule is required beginning October 2, 2012. Optional compliance is permitted beginning April 5, 2012. Petitions for reconsideration are due May 21, 2012.

NHTSA Proposes Amendments to FMVSS 210, Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages

2012-03-30T16:00:38-05:00

On March 30, 2012, NHTSA published a notice in the Federal Register at 77 FR 19155 proposing to amend FMVSS 210, “Seat belt assembly anchorages” to specify a new force application device for use as a testing interface to transfer loads onto the seat belt anchorage system during compliance tests of anchorage strength.

The proposed effective date (the date that the text of FMVSS 210 would be revised in the Code of Federal Regulations) is 180 days after date of publication of the final rule. The proposed compliance date for testing with the FADs would be three years from the date of publication of the final rule. The agency would use the FADs to test vehicles manufactured on or after the first September 1st that is three years from the date of publication of the final rule. Optional early compliance would be permitted.

Comments on the proposal are due May 29, 2012.

Docket reference: NHTSA-2012-0036

NHTSA contact: Carla Rush, Office of Crashworthiness Standards, (202) 366-4583. Di Fujita (202) 366-2992.

Natural Gas Vehicle Funding Available

2012-02-25T15:49:54-05:00

DOE, through the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), is making $30 million available to fund the development of transformational technologies that reduce the barriers to mass adoption of natural gas use in vehicles. Of particular interest are technologies that enable at-home refueling and low-cost, high energy density on-board storage for natural gas vehicles. To qualify for funding, Concept Papers must be submitted by March 26, 2012. Companies needing assistance in responding to this funding solicitation can contact Dale Kardos & Associates, Inc via info@motorvehicleregs.com. For more information on this funding opportunity, click here.

CARB LEV, ZEV and Clean Fuels Outlets 15 day notices

2012-02-23T09:50:48-05:00

On February 22, 2012, CARB published separate 15 day notices for the LEV, ZEV and Clean Fuels Outlets rulemakings. Comments are due March 8, 2012. To access the notices, click here.

NHTSA Adopting 10 yr old dummy into FMVSS 213, Child Restraint Systems

2012-02-22T16:49:45-05:00

NHTSA has finalized two rules concerning child safety. One rule amends 49 CFR Part 572 to include specifications and qualification requirements for a Hybrid III 10-year-old size child test dummy (HIII-10C). A second rule establishes requirements in FMVSS 213 to use the HIII-10C to test child restraints recommended for children weighing more than 65 lbs.

The dummy rule will take effect in 60 days. The FMVSS 213 amendments will take effect Feb. 27, 2012 and compliance with those amendments will be required in two years. Petitions for reconsideration will be due in 45 days.

The rules will be published in the Federal Register on Feb. 23, 2012.