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UL Standard for Electric Vehicle Batteries

On September 17, 2009, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) announced its intent to release a new set of requirements for large batteries in electric vehicles, UL Subject 2580. The new requirements are intended to help mitigate the potential risk of fire and electrical hazards and enhance the overall safety of batteries for electric vehicles. Before becoming a standard, these requirements will undergo a comprehensive review process by a global Standard Technical Panel (STP). A STP is a consensus body of individuals representing consumers, government agencies, regulatory authorities, manufacturers and other knowledgeable interested parties that develop and maintain effective product safety standards.

While UL Subject 2580 will not be mandated, manufacturers will have the option of certifying to its requirements to help reduce risks. Currently, there is no UL standard for the testing of large batteries like these in electric vehicles.

In addition to developing new standards for large batteries, UL has been conducting tests and certifying to existing standards for numerous hybrid and battery-electric vehicle components. Some of these components include motors, connectors and battery chargers. UL tests these components for overload protection, shock and flammability among other hazards. Ultimately, UL's requirements for electric vehicle safety help move the industry toward performance and safety standardization.

Mobile Air Conditioning

On October 13, 2009 EPA Administrator Jackson signed a rule that proposes to amend 40 CFR Part 82 by adding HFO-1234yf to the list of refrigerants that are acceptable as substitutes for CFC-12 in motor vehicle air conditioning. Several use conditions are proposed to address flammability concerns. Comments on the proposal will be due 75 days following publication of the proposal in the Federal Register.

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Bus Testing Program Amendments

On October 5, 2009, the FTA published a final rule in the Federal Register at 74 FR 51083 amending the FTA bus testing regulation to incorporate brake performance and emissions tests into the program as required by SAFETEA-LU. The final rule addresses changes to the bus testing program with regard to the following:

1. Brake performance test procedure
2. Emissions test procedure
3. Applicability and phase-in
4. Partial testing
5. Reporting procedures
6. Service life category
7. Buses that exceed weight limits when fully loaded
8. Family of vehicles
9. Separate reporting of third-party chassis test results
10. FTA evaluation/recommendation of bus models
11. Scope

The amendments are effective January 1, 2010.

FTA contact: Marcel Belanger, Bus Testing Program Manager, Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation (202) 366-0725, marcel.belanger@dot.gov.

Docket reference: FTA-2007-0011

Code Amended: 49 CFR Part 665 – Bus Testing

Radio Interference and Hybrid Vehicles

Last month, Industry Canada issued a new version of ICES-002, Spark Ignition Systems of Vehicles and Other Devices Equipped with Internal Combustion Engines. The revised standard provides clarification for testing hybrid vehicles and devices. For information about the changes, contact Dale Kardos, Dale Kardos & Associates, Inc. at (202) 742-4415 or dale.kardos@motorvehicleregs.com.

Proposed Light Duty Vehicle CAFE and GHG Emissions Standards for the 2012-2016 Model Years

On September 15, 2009, EPA and NHTSA issued a joint notice that contains separate EPA and NHTSA proposals, both of which will require that 2012-2016 model year light duty vehicles emit fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Federal Register version of the proposal was issued on September 28, 2009 at 74 FR 49454. Though the two rules are intended to be harmonious and establish a single National program to reduce GHG emissions and improve fuel economy, they are different because each agency has different statutory mandates and authorities. EPA is proposing GHG emissions standards under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and NHTSA is proposing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended.

Both agencies’ proposals apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, covering model years 2012 through 2016. However, EPA’s rule will regulate CO2 and other GHG emissions while NHTSA’s rule will establish CAFE standards in terms of miles per gallon (mpg). Per EPA’s proposal, light duty vehicles on average will meet a CO2 standard of 250 g/mile in the 2016 model year. Per NHTSA’s proposal, light duty vehicles on average will be required to meet a CAFE standard of 34.1 mpg in model year 2016. These standards are expected to cause manufacturers to increase their light duty fleet fuel economy by about 5% per year over the affected time period (2012-2016MYs).

EPA and NHTSA jointly estimate that the proposed requirements will increase the cost of a typical 2016 MY light duty vehicle by about $1,100 (eleven hundred dollars). They expect, however, that the average consumer will spend $3,000 less on fuel and thus realize a net savings of $1,900.

Deadline for comments: November 27, 2009.

Public hearings: Three public hearings will be held: Oct. 21 (Detroit), Oct. 23 (NYC), and Oct. 27 (LA).

Early Warning Reporting Requirements (TREAD Act)

On September 17, 2009, NHTSA published a final rule in the Federal Register at 74 FR 47740 that modifies the threshold for submitting quarterly EWR reports for light vehicle, bus, medium-heavy vehicle (excluding emergency vehicles), motorcycle and trailer manufacturers. It further requires manufacturers submitting EWR reports to submit product names that are consistent from reporting quarter to quarter and amends the definition of “other safety campaign.” It also amends part 573 Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports to add requirements that tire manufacturers provide a range of tire identification numbers of recalled tires and manufacturers provide the country of origin of a component involved in a recall.

Compliance with the revised requirements is required starting Oct. 19, 2009, however, the new requirements for bus manufacturers producing 100 or more but fewer than 500 buses annually do not take effect until September 13, 2010.

For more information on how to comply with EWR and other NHTSA requirements, contact Dale Kardos, Dale Kardos & Associates, Inc. at (202) 742-4415 or dale.kardos@motorvehicleregs.com

CAFE/GHG Emissions Proposal Published

On September 15, 2009, EPA and NHTSA issued a joint proposal to establish a National Program consisting of new standards for light-duty vehicles that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy. EPA is proposing greenhouse gas emissions standards under the Clean Air Act, and NHTSA is proposing Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as amended. These standards apply to passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty passenger vehicles, covering model years 2012 through 2016, and represent a harmonized and consistent National Program.

A copy of the 600+ page rule is available online at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm. Comments on the proposal will be due 60 days from the date the proposal is published in the Federal Register. For more information on the proposal or compliance assistance, please contact Dale Kardos, Dale Kardos & Associates, Inc. at dale.kardos@motorvehicleregs.com.

Electric Vehicle Charging

The California Air Resources Board will hold a public meeting on September 23, 2009 in Sacramento, CA to discuss near-term challenges and solutions to address the charging infrastructure needs of electric vehicles in California. Topics to be presented for discussion at the meeting include:

• Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) design and features
• Near-term metering and billing challenges prior to Smart Meter implementation
• Recent and upcoming public charging station deployment
• Status and potential retrofit of existing public charging stations
• Impact of local ordinances and building codes

For more details, see CARB Mail Out MSC 09-29. For information on the outcome of the meeting, contact Dale Kardos, Dale Kardos & Associates, Inc. at dale.kardos@motorvehicleregs.com.

Lead Wheel Weights

In an Aug. 26, 2009 letter to the Ecology Center and the Sierra Club, the EPA indicates that it has decided to grant the petition to initiate a proceeding for the issuance of a rule to prohibit the manufacture, processing and distribution in commerce of lead wheel balancing weights. Per the letter, the EPA will promptly commence a proceeding under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

Power Window Auto-Reverse

On Sep. 1, 2009, NHTSA published a proposal to require automatic reversal systems on express-up windows. As proposed, the requirements would apply to passenger cars, MPVs, and trucks with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms or less starting 24 months following publication of the final rule (i.e., 2013MY).

Comments on the proposal are due November 2, 2009.