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NCAP Upgrade for MY2019

 

On Dec. 8, 2015, NHTSA released a Request for Comment (RfC) outlining and requesting comments on its plan to upgrade NCAP for MY2019 and later vehicles.  As envisioned, the new MY2019 NCAP will include:

• A new approach to determining the overall 5-star rating (2 new rating categories, one for crash avoidance tech and one for pedestrian protection).  The crash avoidance rating was incentives the following technologies: FCW, LDW, blind spot detection, lower beam headlighting tech, semi-automatic headlamp beam switching, amber rear turn signal lamps.  A new pedestrian protection rating will incentivize rear automatic braking and pedestrian automatic emergency braking while also evaluating a vehicle’s ability to reduce pedestrian impact outcomes (using head and leg impactors).
• A new frontal oblique crash test
• New dummies (THOR 50M for use in oblique test and full frontal tests and WorldSID-50M for use in side pole and side MDB tests)
• Static stability factor (SSF) risk curve update

Comments are due Feb. 16, 2016.

The official Federal Register version of the rule was published on Dec. 16, 2015.  For a copy, click here.

Docket reference: NHTSA-2015-0119.  NHTSA contacts: Jenny Dang, 202-366-1810, Clarke Harper, 202-366-1810

DOE Vehicle Technologies Office FY 2016 Program-Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement

On Dec. 18, 2016, DOE’s Vehicle Technologies Office issued a Notice of Intent (DE-FOA-0001462) to make interested parties aware of its plan to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled “FY 2016 Vehicle Technologies Program-Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement.” Per DOE’s announcement, it is anticipated the FOA will include the following areas of interest:

1) EV Everywhere Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) and Infrastructure Showcases

2) Grid Modernization for Electric Vehicles

3) Accelerated Development and Deployment of Low-Cost Automotive Magnesium (Mg) Sheet Components

4) Corrosion Protection and Dissimilar Material Joining for Next-Generation Lightweight Vehicles

5) Advances for the Production of Low Cost Electric Drive Vehicle Motors

6) Development of Advanced High-Voltage Electrolytes and Additives, Solid State Electrolytes and Lithium Metal Protection

7) Advanced Battery Component Material Diagnostics

8) Advanced Battery Materials Modeling

9) Enabling Technologies for Engine and Powertrain Systems

10) Emission Control Strategies for Advanced Combustion Engines

11) Alternative Fuel Vehicle Workplace Safety Programs

12) Open Topic/Exploratory Research

For more information, please refer to the Notice of Intent.