MotorVehicleRegs.COM

Tariff reduction proposals

On April 23, 2012, Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) introduced multiple bills (S.2329, S.2330, S.2331, S.2332, S.2333, S.2334, S.2335) intending to reduce or suspend tariffs on the following items: direction injection fuel injectors, hybrid electric vehicle inverters, stator/rotor parts, power electronic boxes and static converter composite units, motor generator units, lithium ion electrical storage batteries, and high pressure fuel pumps.  The bills have all been referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

NHTSA EV Safety Symposium Announced

NHTSA will hold a symposium on May 18, 2012 in Washington, DC to discuss safety considerations for electric vehicles powered by lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Topics to be covered include: NHTSA’s ongoing research on Li-ion battery safety; DOE’s perspective on Li-ion battery safety; an overview of industry voluntary standards applicable to Li-ion batterypowered vehicles; emergency response procedures relevant to Li-ion battery-powered vehicles; and other safety issues, including those related to battery management systems, battery design parameters, and safety testing.  The meeting will be open to the public but due to space limitations, pre-registration is highly recommended.  To register, visit  http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/events/register.cfm and fill out the on-line form provided.

NHTSA contact: for technical issues: Mr. Charlie Case, NHTSA Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, telephone (202) 366-5319, e-mail address: charlie.case@dot.gov.  For logistical issues: Mr. Chris Morris, NHTSA Office of Vehicle Safety, telephone (202) 493-2218; e-mail address: christopher.morris@dot.gov.

For a copy of the meeting announcement, click here.

Accelerator Control Systems (FMVSS 124)

In an NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 16, 2012, NHTSA has proposed to revise the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for accelerator control systems (ACS) in two ways. First, they have proposed to amend the Standard to address more fully the failure modes of electronic throttle control (ETC) systems and also to include test procedures for hybrid vehicles and certain other vehicles.  These amendments would apply to light vehicles, trucks and buses. Second, they have proposed to add a new provision for a brake-throttle override (BTO) system, which would require that input to the brake pedal in a vehicle must have the capability ofoverriding input to the accelerator pedal. The BTO requirements would apply to new passenger cars, MPVs, trucks and buses < 10k lbs GVWR equipped with ETC.

 

NHTSA is proposing to amend FMVSS 124 in two ways. First, they are proposing to update the normal operation and fail-safe operation requirements. This would apply to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks and buses, regardless of weight. Second, they propose to add a new Brake-Throttle Override (BTO) system requirement for vehicles ≤ 10k lbs that have electronic throttle control (ETC).

Proposed mandatory compliance dates are as follows:

For the disconnection requirements: first September 1 after the final rule publication in the Federal Register (most likely 9/1/13)

For the BTO requirements: second September 1 after the final rule publication in the Fed Register (most likely 9/1/14)

Comment deadline: June 15, 2012.

Docket reference: Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0038.

 

Platform Lifts

On April 5, 2012, NHTSA published a final rule amending the platform lift standards (FMVSS 403 & 404).  With the final rule, NHTSA is revising the lighting requirements for lift controls, the location requirements, performance requirements, and test specifications for threshold warning signal; the wheel chair retention device and inner roll stop tests; and the lighting requirements for public use lifts.  The notice also discusses a November 3, 2005 interpretation clarifying specific procedures that are performed as part of the threshold warning signal test.

Mandatory compliance with the final rule is required beginning October 2, 2012.  Optional compliance is permitted beginning April 5, 2012.  Petitions for reconsideration are due May 21, 2012.