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Part 575 Consumer Information (Tire fuel Efficiency Rating Information)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

 

SCR Maintenance Intervals

On January 5, 2012, EPA is publishing notices in the Federal Register announcing the approval of new SCR maintenance intervals for both onroad and nonroad diesel engines/vehicles.  For light duty vehicles, the previously approved maintenance intervals for 2009-2010 will be allowed for 2011 and later model years.  For light duty, DEF refill intervals shall not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval.  This also applies to medium duty vehicles and other chassis certified vehicles up to 14,000 pounds.  For heavy-duty vehicles/engines, vocational heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., dump trucks, concrete mixers, refuse trucks, and other centrally-fueled vehicles) are permitted a DEF tank maintenance interval no less than the vehicle’s fuel capacity (i.e., a 1:1 ratio of DEF refill to fuel refill).  For all other heavy-duty vehicles, EPA has approved a DEF tank refill interval no less than twice the range of the vehicle’s fuel capacity (i.e., a 2:1 ratio).  EPA will review manufacturer certification applications to ensure that technology is being provided to ensure DEF tanks will be refilled as intended.  Acceptable strategies will include visible signal systems to alert drivers and operators that maintenance is needed or data demonstrating that drivers or operators are induced to perform maintenance.  For nonroad CI engines, the approved maintenance interval is the 1:1 ration of DEF refill to fuel refill.  EPA contact: David Dickinson, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Tel: 202-343-9256, Email: Dickinson.david@epa.gov. 

 

Fisker Recalling 2012MY Karma Over Fire Risk

Fisker has informed NHTSA that it will recall 239 2012 model year Karma passenger cars manufactured from July 1, 2011 through November 3, 2011.  NHTSA's recall website reports that within the high-voltage battery, certain hose clamps may have been positioned incorrectly during assembly.   If positioned incorrectly, the battery compartment cover could interfere with the hose clamps, potentially causing a coolant leak from the cooling hoses.  If coolant enters the battery compartment, an electrical short could occur possibly resulting in a fire.  Fisker will notify owners, and dealers and replace the high-voltage battery with a  new part at no cost to the owner.  The recall is expected to begin during January 2012.

 

DOE to Provide $7 Million in Funding for Hydrogen Storage Technologies Used in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

On December 12, 2011, the Energy Department announced that it was awarding more than $7 million to fund four projects in California, Washington, and Oregon to advance hydrogen storage technologies to be used in fuel cell electric vehicles. 

The projects focus on lowering the cost of compressed hydrogen storage systems and developing advanced materials for hydrogen storage. 

The four projects selected for award are: 

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory – Richland, Washington – Up to $2.1 million

DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, in collaboration with Ford Motor Company, Lincoln Composites, Toray Carbon Fibers America, Inc. and AOC Inc., will use a coordinated approach to reduce the costs associated with compressed hydrogen storage systems. The project will focus on improving carbon fiber composite materials and the design and manufacture of hydrogen storage tanks. Through these advances, the team expects to lower the cost of manufacturing high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels by more than a third relative to current projections. 

HRL Laboratories, LLC – Malibu, California – Up to $1.2 million 

HRL Laboratories will investigate an innovative approach to hydrogen storage using engineered liquids that can efficiently absorb and release hydrogen gas. Liquids confined in porous structures have been shown to absorb significantly more gas and could create sites for hydrogen molecules that did not exist in the bulk liquid alone. HRL will use this concept to develop composite materials capable of dissolving up to 50 times greater quantities of hydrogen than in the bulk liquid, with the goal of enabling a high density, compact hydrogen storage option. 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory – Berkeley, California – Up to $2.1 million 

DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, partnering with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and General Motors, will use a theory-guided approach to synthesize novel materials with high hydrogen adsorption capacities. The team will develop and test "metal-organic framework" materials that have surfaces allowing high density of hydrogen, as well as materials with pores engineered to enable hydrogen storage at near-ambient temperatures.

University of Oregon – Eugene, Oregon – Up to $2.0 million

The University of Oregon, along with The University of Alabama, DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Protonex Technology Corporation, will develop and test promising new materials for hydrogen storage. The proposed chemical hydrogen storage materials could enable liquid refueling, and regeneration of the hydrogen storage material, within temperature and pressure ranges suitable for both onboard mobile and stationary fuel cell applications.