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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.