Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 29 / Monday, February 13, 1995 / Notices 8275

VSA # Model type Model year

Volkswagen

42 ...................... Scirocco ................................................................................................................................. 1986

VSP # Model type Model year

Volkswagen

73 ...................... Golf Rally ............................................................................................................................... 1988

80 ...................... Golf ........................................................................................................................................ 1988

Volvo

43 ...................... 262C ...................................................................................................................................... 1981

87 ...................... 740 Sedan ............................................................................................................................. 1988

[FR Doc. 95–3488 Filed 2–10–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–59–M

[Docket No. 95–8; Notice 1]

Spartan Motors, Inc.; Receipt of

Application for Temporary Exemption

From Three Federal Motor Vehicle

Safety Standards

Spartan Motors, Inc., of Charlotte,

Michigan, has applied to be exempted

from three Federal motor vehicle safety

standards for light trucks that it converts

to electric power. The basis of the

application is that an exemption would

facilitate the development or field

evaluation of a low-emission motor

vehicle, and would not unreasonably

lower the safety level of the vehicle.

This notice of receipt of an

application is published in accordance

with the requirements of 49 U.S.C.

30113(b)(2) and does not represent any

judgment of the agency on the merits of

the application.

Spartan is a Michigan corporation

‘‘providing development electric vehicle

technology through the application of

state of the art traction system and

battery technology in commercial

applications.’’ It intends to convert new

Chevrolet S10 and GMC Sonoma pickup

trucks to electric power. It seeks

exemption for two years from three

Federal motor vehicle safety standards.

The standards for which exemptions are

requested are set forth below, together

with the applicant’s arguments why an

exemption would not unreasonably

lower the safety level of the vehicle.

1. Standard No. 103, Windshield

Defrosting and Defogging Systems.

Spartan asks for exemption from

paragraphs S4.2 and S4.3 because

testing to these requirements ‘‘is not

possible due to the engine related

requirements of the test procedure.’’ It

states that the engine coolant heater core

is intact, with an electrical resistance

heating element contained in an

external expansion tank plumbed

similar to an internal combustion engine

configuration, and that other portions of

the system are untouched. This

‘‘minimizes the impact of the

conversion not meeting the standard.’’

2. Standard No. 105, Hydraulic Brake

Systems. Spartan wishes to be exempted

from S5.1.1.3 (the third effectiveness

test), S5.1.2.1 (partial failure), and

S7.7.1, S7.9.1 and S7.9.2 (certain tests at

lightly loaded vehicle weight). The curb

weight of the vehicle is increased to

approximately 4,500 pounds. The

weight proportioning between axles is

different than that used in the

certification testing of the original

vehicle. These changes affect the

applicability of the testing requirements

for lightly loaded vehicle weight.

However, the GVWR remains the same

as the original rating of 4,900 pounds,

and the original vehicle’s braking

system is not modified. This, in the

applicant’s view, minimizes ‘‘the impact

of the electric vehicle not meeting the

standard.’’

3. Standard No. 301, Fuel System

Integrity. Although the converted

vehicle no longer uses a fossil fuel as a

propellant, ‘‘a small tank’’ is added ‘‘for

the on board storage of fuel for interior

heating.’’ Care is taken ‘‘in mounting of

the electric vehicle conversion

components to reduce their effect on

crash protection. Specifically, the fuel

storage and delivery system is of

automotive quality supplying the

heating device.’’

According to the petitioner, granting

the exemption would be in the public

interest and consistent with 49 U.S.C.

Chapter 301 Motor Vehicle Safety

because it will advance ‘‘the state of the

art in electric vehicle traction systems

and electric vehicle infrastructure,

through the application of electric

vehicles in actual commercial uses.’’

Because the developmental changes are

frequent, ‘‘testing for conformance to the

standards’’ is impractical.

Demonstration of the commercial

feasibility of electric vehicles ‘‘will

enhance the demand for their use,

consistent with established national

policy.’’

Interested persons are invited to

submit comments on the application

described above. Comments should refer

to the docket number and the notice

number, and be submitted to: Docket

Section, National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration, room 5109, 400

Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC

20590. It is requested but not required

that 10 copies be submitted.

All comments received before the

close of business on the comment

closing date indicated below will be

considered, and will be available for

examination in the docket at the above

address both before and after that date.

To the extent possible, comments filed

after the closing date will also be

considered. Notice of final action on the

application will be published in the

Federal Register pursuant to the

authority indicated below. Comment

closing date: March 15, 1995.

(49 U.S.C. 30113; delegations of authority at

49 CFR 1.50. and 501.8)

Issued on February 7, 1995.

Barry Felrice,

Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.

[FR Doc. 95–3489 Filed 2–10–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P

UNITED STATES INFORMATION

AGENCY

Advisory Commission on Public

Diplomacy; Meeting

AGENCY: United States Information

Agency.

ACTION: Notice.