MotorVehicleRegs.COM

New California EV Rebate Program Launched

On March 17, the California Air Resources Board unveiled $3.7 million in rebates for zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicle for California drivers.  The rebates offer up to $5,000 for the purchase of zero-emission and plug-in hybrid light-duty vehicles and up to $20,000 for the purchase of ARB-certified or approved zero-emission commercial vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis.  Rebates are available to individuals, business owners and government entities in California that purchase or lease new eligible zero-emission or plug-in hybrid electric light-duty vehicles now. Eligible vehicles are cars, trucks, commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles or neighborhood electric vehicles.

Japanese to Promote Global Quick Charging System CHAdeMO

On March 15, 2010, The Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) issued a press release announcing that Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Fuji Heavy Industries and TEPCO have formally established "CHAdeMO Association."

CHAdeMO Association aims to increase quick-charger installations worldwide based on a standardized design.  CHAdeMO is a trade name of the quick charging method that the association is proposing globally as an industry standard.  ChAdeMO is an abbreviation of “CHArge de Move” which is equivalent to “charge for moving” and is a pun for “O cha demo ikaga desuka” in Japanese, meaning “let’s have a tea while charging.”  The General Outline of CHAdeMO is available here.

FMVSS 214 Side Impact Amendments

On March 15, 2010, NHTSA published a notice in the Federal Register at 75 FR 12123 responding to outstanding petitions for reconsideration that were filed in response to the Sep. 11, 2007 final rule that upgrade FMVSS 214, Side Impact Protection.  This notices denies requests to revise the SID-IIs pelvic criterion and to exclude vehicles manufactured in more than one stage from the pole test. The notice grants several suggestions to clarify or revise aspects of the test procedures relating to, among other matters:

• Vehicle set-up (adjusting the non-struck side seat; adjusting head restraints, shoulder belt anchorages, and adjustable steering wheels, clarifying the vehicle test attitude tolerance);
• test dummy set-up  (positioning the SID-IIs; removing redundant foot positioning procedures); and 
• corrections (e.g., ES-2re filter class designation;  exclusion of rear seats that cannot accommodate the SID in the MDB test during the phase-in period; FMVSS No. 301 and FMVSS No. 305 test dummy applications).
  

The notice also makes clear that the upgraded MDB test does not apply to convertibles manufactured before September 1, 2015. All other requests made in the petitions for reconsideration of the September 11, 2007 final rule to which NHTSA have not previously responded have been denied. 

NHTSA contact: Chris Wiacek, NHTSA Office of Crashworthiness Standards, 202-366-4801.

Docket Reference: NHTSA-2010-0032.

NCAP Test procedures

NHTSA has docketed updated versions of the NCAP test procedures for the following:

1. Electronic stability control
2. Forward collision warning
3. Lane departure warning

To access copies, go to the Docket Search Page and search in Docket No. NHTSA-2006-26555.

NHTSA Defect Investigations

Dale Kardos & Associates, Inc. has issued the report, “A Review of Past NHTSA Defect Investigations, February 2010.”  The report summarizes the outcome of over 400 NHTSA defect investigations conducted during the past decade. Statistics on complaints, crashes, injuries, fatalities and warranty data are provided and assessed per 100,000 vehicles produced for each investigation.  NHTSA’s reasons for closing each investigation are summarized.  Thirty-six (36) of the most common defect categories are covered including the following:

ABS
Accelerator Pedal
Ball Joint
Brake Lamp
Brake Light
Brake Line
Coil Spring
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Engine Compartment Fire
Explosion
Frame
Fuel Leak
Fuel Tank Puncture
Glass/Glazing
Head Lamps
Ignition
Parking Brake
Refueling
Seatback
Seat Belt
Side Air Bag
Sliding Door
Speed Control
Stalling
Steering Column
Steering Failure
Steering Wheel
Suspension
Tailgate
Throttle
Turn Signal
Transmission
Wheel Rim
Wheel Separation
Windshield Wiper

The report also includes a chronological listing of all NHTSA defect investigations conducted for the above defect types dating back to 1972.  The report is 234 pages in total.

Persons interested in purchasing a copy of the report may email Dale Kardos & Associates, Inc. at info@motorvehicleregs.com.

Postal Service Electric Motor Vehicle Act

On Feb. 26, 2010, Rep. Connolly of Virginia introduced legislation (H.R. 4711) that, within five years, would require that 75% of the U.S. Postal fleet be comprised of electric vehicles.  Per the legislation, the vehicles must be manufactured in the U.S.  The bill has been referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

NCAP Webinar from MGA Research Corporation

On March 11, 2010 MGA Research Corporation will hold an internet based seminar to discuss the new NCAP testing procedures.  The new procedures will affect the NCAP Safety Ratings of all passenger vehicles model year 2011 and later.  The seminar will focus on MGA's role as one of five NHTSA contracted NCAP test laboratories. To register, click here.  The webinar will begin at 1:30 pm and last until 3:00 pm.

Door Locks and Door Retention (FMVSS 206)

On February 19, 2010, NHTSA published a final rule in the Federal Register at 75 FR 7370 that responds to petitions for reconsideration of a Feb. 6, 2007 final rule that amended FMVSS 206 to add and update requirements and test procedures and to harmonize with the world’s first global technical regulation for motor vehicles.  This is the second of two documents responding to the petitions; an earlier final rule delayed the compliance date of the sliding door provisions for a year.  With this final rule, NHTSA is granting some aspects of the petitions while denying others and making several technical amendments to the regulatory text.  The rule is effective Feb. 19, 2010.  Docket ref: NHTSA-2010-0015.  Contact: Ms. Shashi Kuppa, Office of Crashworthiness Standards (202) 366-4902.

SAE Electric-Vehicle Charging Coupler Standard

SAE has released a standard that provides a standard interface between plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles, and electrical charging systems.  SAE J1772, "SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler," spells out the general physical, electrical and performance requirements for the coupler, which consists of a connector and vehicle inlet.  The standard was developed to define a common electric-vehicle charging network, thereby reducing costs and increasing convenience for owners of electric vehicles.  The document can be purchased from SAE at http://www.sae.org/technical/standards/J1772_201001.

With quiet car solutions being considered by both Congress and NHTSA, the new Guidelines adopted by the Japanese MLIT on Jan. 29, 2010 are extremely relevant.  The Unofficial English version of the Guidelines are as follows:

Automobile Approaching Notification System

1. Definition

Notify pedestrians that automobile is approaching.

2. Operating condition

(1) Sound method
 - System works automatically from 0 to 20 km/h.
 - It is not needed when internal combustion engine is running.
 - It is not needed when backup alarm is operating.
(2) Temporary OFF switch
 - Temporary OFF switch may be installed but telltale is needed.
 - Default position is ON.
 - Switch is visible to driver.

3. Type of sound and volume

(1) Sound shall suggest automobile driving condition and shall be continuous. Following sounds are inappropriate.
 - Siren, chime, bell and melody
 - Audible warning device (horn)
 - Cry or scream of animals and insects/bugs
 - Natural sound such as wave, wind, flow of river
 - Any other sounds that can not suggest automobile.

(2) Produced sound shall change volume and interval/step in accordance with driving speed so that pedestrian can detect easily.

(3) Sound volume shall not exceed a level in which ICE vehicle is running at 20km/h.