MotorVehicleRegs.COM

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.

 

Senate Hearing Scheduled on Rare Earth Materials

On Thursday, a Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee will hold a hearing on rare earth minerals that are used to make clean energy products like electric vehicles, wind turbines and energy efficient lighting.  Recent developments in China, where 97 percent of the world's rare earth metals are produced, have triggered comments by lawmakers and placed additional importance on the scheduled hearing.  The New York Times reported last week that Chinese officials were blocking shipments of rare earth metals from China to Japan.  The hearing will start at 10 AM.  Location: Senate Dirksen Office Building.

 

Proposed New Fuel Economy Label

EPA has released proposed revisions to the fuel economy label for the 2012 model year.  The updated label will provide new information to consumers about the fuel economy and consumption, fuel costs, and environmental impacts (tailpipe emissions) associated with the operation of new cars and light-duty trucks. The updated label will also be applicable to advanced technology vehicles, including electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, poised to enter the U.S. market.

For a copy of the proposal and related documents, go to http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/regulations.htm

SAE Publishes Long-awaited J1711 Recommended Practice for Measuring the Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Economy of Hybrid-Electric Vehicles, Including Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

On June 8th, SAE published a revised version of SAE J1711, Recommended Practice for Measuring the Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Economy of Hybrid-Electric Vehicles, Including Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles.  This SAE Recommended Practice establishes uniform chassis dynamometer test procedures for hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) that are designed to be driven on public roads. The procedure provides instructions for measuring and calculating the exhaust emissions and fuel economy of HEV's driven on the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) and the Highway Fuel Economy Driving Schedule (HFEDS), as well as the exhaust emissions of HEVs driven on the US06 Driving Schedule (US06) and the SC03 Driving Schedule (SC03). To purchase the standard from SAE, click here.

Ethanol Waiver

On November 30th, EPA informed Growth Energy that although all of the studies have not been completed, EPA’s engineering assessment to date indicates that the robust fuel, engine and emissions control systems on new vehicles (likely 2001 and newer model years) will likely be able to accommodate higher ethanol blends, such as E15.  The letter further indicates that if data anticipated by mid-June of 2010 remain supportive of the initial assessment, EPA would be in a position to approve E15 for 201 and newer vehicles in the mid-year timeframe.  It goes on to say, however, that if the data highlight potential problems, then the decision may need to be delayed until all testing is received and reviewed.  The letter adds that, in light of the current testing data, EPA will be taking steps to address fuel pump labeling issues to ensure consumers utilize the proper gasoline for their vehicles and equipment (i.e., E10 for older vehicles, boats, lawnmowers, etc.).  For a copy of the letter, click here.  

SAE 2010 Government/Industry Meeting

SAE’s 2010 Government/Industry meeting will be held January 27-29 in Washington, DC.  Sessions will include:

- Crash Avoidance Technologies for Heavy Trucks

- Enforcement: CARS and CAFÉ

- Adding Up the Carbon of Renewable Fuels

- Second Generation Biofuels

- Front and Side Impact Crashworthiness

- Vehicle Rollover and Occupant Containment

- New Innovations in Advanced Safety Technology

- Crash Avoidance and Crash Causation

- Electricity -- The Fuel of the Future....Today?

- Return of the Plug-in Electric Vehicle -- Will the Sequel Succeed?

- Marketing Safety

- Safety Data

- Heavy-Duty Technologies & Solutions to Improve Efficiency and Emissions

- What's Next for Heavy-Duty Engine Regulations?

- Child Safety

- Pedestrian Safety

- Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety

- Light-Duty Powertrain Strategies -- Are IC Engines Taking a Back Seat?

- Biomechanics

- Who Pays for the High-Fuel Economy Vehicles of the Future?

- Distraction

For information on the upcoming meeting, go to http://www.sae.org/events/gim/.

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.

E15 Waiver

On April 15, 2009, EPA signed a notice inviting public comment on an application that seeks a waiver for ethanol-gasoline blends of up to 15 percent by volume ethanol (“E15”). The application for waiver was filed March 6, 2009 by Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers. EPA has until December 1, 2009 to grant or deny the waiver application. EPA is requesting comments and data that will enable the agency to evaluate the applicants’ claims as to whether ethanol-gasoline blends greater than 10 percent and less than or equal to 15 percent by volume may or may not negatively impact motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines (including nonroad vehicles and engines).

Comments are due May 15, 2009.

Docket reference: EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0211.

EPA contact: James W. Caldwell, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA, (202) 343-9303.

Carbon Reduction of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

According to the Department of Energy, passenger car plug-in hybrids with a 10 miles all electric driving range (PHEV10s) produce about 29% fewer carbon emissions than a conventional vehicle, when plugged into an outlet connected to the typical U.S. grid. When PHEV10s are charged using power generated completely from coal, carbon emissions are about 25% less than those of a conventional vehicle. The use of light truck PHEV10s reduces emissions by 28% when charged on a typical grid and 23% when charged on power generated from coal. The carbon reductions are greater as the length the vehicle can travel on electricity increases. For more information, click here.