Document ID: NHTSA-2006-24488-0003
Agency: nhtsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Federal Motor VehicleSafety Standards; Low Speed Vehicles
Posted Date: 2008-09-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register: September 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 188)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 55801-55804]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26se08-25]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-2006-24488]

 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Low Speed Vehicles

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Denial of petition for reconsideration.

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SUMMARY: This document responds to a petition for reconsideration of 
our 2006 final rule increasing the maximum gross vehicle weight rating 
(GVWR) for low speed vehicles (LSVs) to 3,000 pounds. The agency 
established a GVWR limit (initially set at 2,500 pounds) in order to 
provide an objective means to delineate between vehicles for which the 
limited LSV requirements are appropriate and those that can be designed 
to meet the full set of Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Our 
2006 final rule increased the limit to 3,000 pounds, in order to 
accommodate the heavier weight of load-carrying LSVs and electric 
batteries. A petition for reconsideration was received from Electronic 
Transportation Applications (ETA), which seeks to further increase the 
GVWR limit for electric-powered LSVs to 4,000 pounds, as well as to add 
additional regulations to regulate braking performance and tire 
specifications. The agency is denying the petitioner's request for the 
reasons discussed in this document.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    For technical issues: Gayle Dalrymple, Office of Crash Avoidance 
Standards, NVS-123, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
Telephone: 202-366-5559. Facsimile: 202-493-2739, e-mail 
gayle.dalrymple@nhtsa.dot.gov.
    For legal issues: Mr. Ari J. Scott, NHTSA Office of the Chief 
Counsel. Telephone: (202) 366-2992. Facsimile: (202) 366-3820, e-mail 
ari.scott@nhtsa.dot.gov.
    Both officials can be reached by mail at the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 
DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Background of the LSV Rulemakings
II. Petition for Reconsideration
III. Agency Response

[[Page 55802]]

    a. Rationale for 3,000 Pound GVWR
    i. Limitation of LSVs to Appropriate Vehicles
    ii. Importation of Foreign Vehicles as LSVs
    b. Technology-Neutral Regulation
IV. Conclusion

I. Background of the LSV Rulemakings

    NHTSA established Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 
500, ``Low speed vehicles,'' in 1998 in response to the rising use of 
``golf cars'' and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs). See 63 FR 
33194. This new FMVSS and vehicles class definition responded to the 
growing public interest in using small vehicles to make short trips for 
shopping, social, and recreational purposes, primarily within 
retirement or other planned, self-contained communities. The definition 
of an LSV established in that rulemaking was, ``a 4-wheeled motor 
vehicle, other than a truck, whose speed attainable in 1.6 km (1 mile) 
is more than 32 kilometers per hour (20 miles per hour) and not more 
than 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour) on a paved level 
surface.
    In 2005, NHTSA published a final rule amending the definition of 
LSVs by dropping the restriction on trucks, and instead establishing a 
2,500 pound maximum GVWR. See 70 FR 48313. This allowed small vehicles 
designed for work-related applications within the intended communities, 
such as landscaping or delivery purposes, to be included within the 
definition of an LSV, without opening the category to unintended 
vehicles, such as street-sweepers or speed-modified passenger cars. 
Additionally, in 2006, in response to petitions for reconsideration 
from Dynasty Electric Car Corporation and Global Electric Motorcars 
(GEM), both manufacturers of electric LSVs, NHTSA increased the maximum 
GVWR for LSVs to 3,000 pounds. This was done, in part, to ``level the 
playing field'' between electric and gasoline-powered LSVs, by allowing 
for the additional weight in batteries required by electric vehicles. 
See 71 FR 20026.

II. Petition for Reconsideration

    ETA, a corporation involved in providing vehicle testing services 
for the Department of Energy, submitted a petition for reconsideration, 
dated June 2, 2006, asking NHTSA to reconsider its decision on April 
19, 2006 that amended FMVSS No. 500 to raise the maximum permissible 
GVWR for a LSV to 3,000 pounds. ETA requested that NHTSA accommodate 
the weight of batteries by raising the maximum GVWR of electric-powered 
vehicles still further to 4,000 pounds.\1\ To address some of the side 
effects of that increase, ETA also suggested that the agency consider 
adopting brake performance and tire weight rating requirements for 
LSVs.
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    \1\ 71 FR 20026; Docket No. NHTSA-06-24488.
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    In its petition, ETA stated that there is a growing demand to 
reduce or eliminate the numbers of petroleum-fueled vehicles normally 
used in restricted areas, but that these vehicles need to be licensed 
for use on public roads as these areas are situated in or around public 
roadways. Further, it suggested that there is an increasing need in 
these operating environments for truck-like vehicles designed to carry 
cargo, such as for landscaping and maintenance matters.
    ETA argued that the current GVWR limitation of 3,000 pounds hinders 
the development of electric LSVs that can function as trucks. 
Specifically, because of the stop-and-go driving conditions in which 
these trucks operate, the wear on their electric batteries necessitates 
extremely large batteries. According to ETA, these batteries can weigh 
as much as 600 pounds or more. Given the current GVWR limit and the 
need to provide cargo capacity, ETA said the weight of the batteries 
curtails the weight of the chassis. For example, ETA stated that an LSV 
with a 661 pound battery and a cargo capacity of 1,000 pounds cannot 
have a chassis weight greater than 1,339 pounds under the current GVWR 
limit. According to the petition, this creates a major hindrance to 
designing cargo carrying electric LSVs. ETA stated that this puts 
electric-powered LSVs at a disadvantage relative to gas-powered LSVs, 
which use gasoline as fuel, and thus can have more substantial chasses 
while remaining under the 3,000 pound limit.
    ETA also argued that allowing larger vehicles to be classified as 
LSVs would spur production of vehicles in the small-truck market, 
because the need created by the current GVWR limit to design vehicles 
that comply with all FMVSS standards adds a substantial cost to 
vehicles produced in low quantities. ETA claimed that it could cost 
over $50 million to fully design and certify a vehicle to comply with 
the full requirements of the FMVSSs, a large burden on manufacturers of 
vehicles produced in small quantities. Finally, ETA claimed that the 
increase in the GVWR limitation would allow the importation and 
conversion of foreign highway speed vehicles that do not meet the 
FMVSSs for cars or trucks to meet LSV requirements.

III. Agency Response

    After carefully considering ETA's petition to increase the GVWR 
limit for electric-powered LSVs, we have decided to deny the petition. 
There are two primary reasons for this decision. The first is that we 
believe that vehicles over 3,000 pounds are capable of complying with 
the full requirements of the FMVSSs. Secondly, in line with our policy 
in establishing a GVWR limit for LSVs in the first place, we believe 
that increasing the GVWR limit would encourage the use of LSVs in 
circumstances where it could pose an unreasonable risk to safety. These 
reasons are described at greater length below.

a. Rationale for 3,000 Pound GVWR

    As stated above, the definition of LSVs originally did not contain 
a maximum GVWR. The definition for an LSV established in that final 
rule was:

    A 4-wheeled motor vehicle, other than a truck, whose speed 
attainable in 1.6 km (1 mile) is more than 32 kilometers per hour 
(20 miles per hour) and not more than 40 kilometers per hour (25 
miles per hour) on a paved level surface.

The logic behind this rulemaking was that these vehicles were so small 
that they could not practicably meet the full regimen of FMVSSs 
required of other motor vehicles.\2\ Trucks were excluded because in 
all of the public hearings and docket submissions relating to LSVs and 
their uses proponents described them as passenger vehicles. Also, there 
were existing large, slow-moving work-related trucks, such as street 
sweepers, that already met FMVSSs for their vehicle class that would 
have become excluded from those FMVSSs had trucks not been excluded 
from the definition of LSVs.
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    \2\ See 62 FR 1077, January 8, 1997.
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    When reconsidering the LSV definition, NHTSA was presented with 
arguments that small, work-related trucks would be used in the same 
environments as passenger-carrying LSVs. The agency decided that this 
was a desirable option, and modified the definition of LSVs 
accordingly. A GVWR limitation was substituted for the ``other than a 
truck'' portion of the definition for several reasons. The first was to 
provide an objective means for delineating between the vehicles for 
which the LSV requirements are appropriate (i.e., those vehicles that 
are too small to meet the full FMVSS requirements) and those vehicles 
that can be designed to meet the full set of FMVSSs. The second reason 
was that the low GVWR limit prevents attempts

[[Page 55803]]

to circumvent FMVSSs for cars, trucks, and multipurpose passenger 
vehicles by applying the LSV classification to vehicles types that are 
able to meet the standards.\3\ These reasons are discussed in more 
detail below.
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    \3\ 70 FR 48316.
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i. Limitation of LSVs to Appropriate Vehicles
    In denying this petition to further increase the maximum GVWR for 
LSVs, the agency believes it highly important to reiterate the 
rationale for classifying vehicles as LSVs in the first place. In the 
original rulemaking, we noted that several States, such as Florida and 
California, had passed legislation permitting golf carts and NEVs to 
use public roads in some areas. However, because NHTSA considered those 
vehicles which traveled 20 mph or faster to be ``motor vehicles,'' they 
could not be manufactured unless they met the FMVSSs for passenger 
cars. Therefore, as we stated in the 1998 final rule, ``[t]his creates 
a conflict with the state and local laws because compliance with the 
full range of those standards is not feasible for these small 
vehicles.'' \4\
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    \4\ 63 FR 33194.
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    At the heart of the rulemaking regarding LSVs is that they were too 
small to meet the requirements of passenger cars, and would only be 
used in controlled, low-speed environments, where the risk of collision 
would be small. ETA's recommendation to increase the GVWR limits 
conflict with NHTSA's rationale for establishing the GVWR limitation 
with regard to this rationale. The contradiction is the fact that 
vehicles with a GVWR of over 3,000 are simply not too small to meet the 
full FMVSSs. In the NPRM discussing the rationale for a 2,500 pound 
GVWR limit, the agency presented a list of the GVWRs of a variety of 
fully FMVSS-compliant passenger cars and SUVs. This list is repeated 
here (this relates to model year 2003): \5\
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    \5\ 68 FR 68321.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               GVWR  in
               Vehicle                         Type             pounds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Honda Insight.......................  Passenger car.........       2,212
Toyota Echo.........................  Passenger car.........       3,010
Hyundai Accent......................  Passenger car.........       3,310
Chevrolet Tracker...................  SUV...................       3,483
Honda Civic.........................  Passenger car.........       3,485
Toyota Prius........................  Passenger car.........       3,615
Ford Focus..........................  Passenger car.........       3,620
Toyota RAV4.........................  SUV...................       3,841
Jeep Wrangler.......................  SUV...................       4,450
Ford Ranger.........................  Extended cab pick-up..       4,800
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A 2,500-pound GVWR limit was selected because it was lighter than 
all FMVSS-compliant passenger cars and SUVs, with the exception of the 
Honda Insight. It should be noted that the 2,500-pound limit considers 
the weight of the gasoline-powered Honda Insight, and then adds about 
300 pounds to account for the additional weight of electric batteries 
over fuel.\6\ As we stated above, the 2006 rule extended the limitation 
to 3,000 pounds. This, it was noted, still means that the Honda Insight 
was the only fully FMVSS-compliant passenger car to be lighter than the 
heaviest LSV.
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    \6\ See 70 FR 48317.
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    However, if ETA's suggestion that electric LSVs have a maximum GVWR 
of 4,000 pounds, then they could be considerably heavier than many 
passenger cars, and even some SUVs, even factoring in a substantial 
allowance for the weight of the electric batteries. This would be 
inconsistent with NHTSA's rationale to make LSVs subject to less 
stringent safety requirements than passenger cars, in large part 
because they are ``too small'' to meet those requirements.
    A second reason why raising the GVWR for electric LSVs is contrary 
to NHTSA's policy is that this would encourage the development of 
heavier, more substantial LSVs. In its petition, ETA stated that the 
current 3,000-pound GVWR limit limits the chassis to less than 1339 
pounds.\7\ This, it claims, will result in a ``lightweight chassis'' 
that will ``not provide much occupant protection in the event of a 
crash.'' ETA continues by saying that ``manufacturers should be 
encouraged to increase chassis mass and, therefore, strength to ensure 
proper occupant safety.''
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    \7\ This figure is derived from subtracting a 1,000-pound cargo 
capacity and a 661-pound battery from the 3,000-pound maximum GVWR.
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    In the 2003 final rule, in which NHTSA provided the rationale to 
change to a GVWR-based definition of LSVs, we said:

    We believe that, as LSVs become equipped with additional 
amenities, such as air conditioning, solid doors, and batteries for 
extended range, they lose the basic characteristics of a special 
vehicle designed for transportation within a planned, limited 
environment. Instead, these vehicles take-on the profile of a small, 
traditional passenger car vehicle, and in some cases, may be 
marketed as a small passenger car or as a substitute for a small 
passenger car. Even with a 25 mph speed limitation, we are concerned 
that LSVs that have characteristics and attributes of traditional 
passenger cars will be more likely to be used outside of planned 
communities and instead, more regularly mix with traffic.\8\
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    \8\ 70 FR 48316.

ETA's rationale for increasing the weight of LSVs accomplishes the very 
end that NHTSA sought to avoid by establishing the 2,500-pound, and 
later 3,000-pound, GVWR limitation. As ETA correctly points out, 
raising the maximum weight of electric LSVs would encourage the 
development of larger, sturdier models. This would, in turn, likely 
extend their use into areas beyond those that NHTSA intended LSVs to 
go, namely, outside of controlled, low-speed environments. While NHTSA 
has no desire to restrict the use of electric vehicles, as opposed to 
gasoline-powered vehicles, on the majority of public roads, we believe 
that the vehicles using those roadways should meet the full set of 
FMVSS requirements.
 ii. Importation of Foreign Vehicles as LSVs
    A second argument put forth in ETA's petition for reconsideration 
is that increasing the maximum GVWR for electric LSVs would allow the 
importation of foreign electric vehicles without their having to 
conform to the full FMVSS requirements. As ETA states, ``[t]hese 
vehicles are appealing as conversions to LSVs as they offer

[[Page 55804]]

durable construction and the ability to carry heavier loads at lower 
costs than a full-speed [vehicle] or purpose-designed LSV.'' While we 
agree that acceding to ETA's request would have this effect, it is 
again an effect we hope to avoid.
    To begin, we note that foreign made on-road motor vehicles, that 
are capable of high-speed use, are not eligible to be transformed into 
LSVs via the adoption of a speed-limiting governor. In a June 28, 2000 
letter of interpretation to Mr. Thomas E. Dahl on this issue, we stated 
there are no circumstances under which the addition of a speed 
governing device to a high-speed vehicle would make the vehicle meet 
the definition of an LSV. After explaining that we established the LSV 
class because the vehicles were too small to meet the full FMVSS 
requirements, we stated that a common feature of this class appeared to 
be that they were capable of a maximum speed of 25 mph as designed and 
manufactured. This is still our interpretation of the regulation.
    Furthermore, the agency has stated several times that one concern 
we have regarding the LSV classification is that it could be used as a 
mechanism to import foreign motor vehicles without first making them 
conform to the FMVSSs. For example, in the 2005 final rule, we stated 
that ``[t]he [2,500-pound] GVWR limit prevents attempts to circumvent 
FMVSSs for cars, trucks, and multipurpose passenger vehicles by 
applying the LSV classification to vehicle types that are able to meet 
the [full FMVSS] standards.'' \9\ ETA's recommended 4,000-pound limit 
would permit the result we intended to prevent, and we view that as a 
reason to deny the petition.
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    \9\ 70 FR 48316.
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 b. Technology-Neutral Regulation

    ETA's final argument is that the current GVWR limitation provides 
an advantage to gasoline-powered vehicles over electric vehicles. The 
agency is aware that, with current technology, the batteries needed to 
power an electric vehicle weigh substantially more than the fuel needed 
to power an internal combustion engine. This was considered to some 
extent in our original rulemaking establishing the 2,500-pound GVWR 
limit in 2005, and considered extensively in our 2006 rule increasing 
that limit to 3,000 pounds, a rule undertaken at the behest of two 
electric LSV manufacturers.
    In the petitions that led to the 2006 rulemaking, NHTSA was 
presented with two differing solutions to this problem. The first, 
presented by Dynasty Electric Car Corporation, recommended a 2,500-
pound GVWR restriction for internal combustion engine LSVs and a 2,800-
pound GVWR restriction for electric LSVs. The second, recommended by 
GEM, requested that the GVWR limit be raised to 3,000 pounds for all 
LSVs, as this would accommodate electric LSVs with a cargo-carrying 
capacity of 1,000 pounds.
    In the 2005 rule establishing the GVWR limitation, we discussed why 
we were not establishing different GVWR limitations for electric and 
gasoline-powered vehicles, despite the issue regarding the weight of 
the batteries. We noted that each propulsion type has its own 
advantages. While gasoline-powered vehicles are lighter, ``the fact 
that electric LSVs are successful in the market indicates that any 
advantage of the [internal combustion] vehicle due to greater load 
capacity under our GVWR restriction will be overcome by other 
attractions of the electric vehicle to consumers.'' \10\ ETA, perhaps 
inadvertently, cites several of these advantages in its petition. These 
include the high cost of gasoline, government mandates to reduce or 
eliminate petroleum-fueled vehicles from fleets, and the environmental 
benefits of electric vehicles. Therefore, we do not believe it is 
necessary to increase the regulatory complexity by setting different 
GVWR limitations based on propulsion method.
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    \10\ 70 FR 48317.
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    Finally, we believe that 3,000 pounds is a level at which electric 
LSVs that perform cargo-carrying work are practicable to build. In the 
2006 final rule, we quoted one of the petitioners, GEM, where it 
stated:

    All that GEM seeks in the U.S. market is a comparable ``level 
playing field'' by allowing LSV trucks to weigh as much as 3000 
pounds GVWR, which would accommodate the electric batteries and an 
appropriate payload for LSV trucks.

We note that GEM currently produces a cargo-carrying electric LSV with 
a GVWR of 3,000 pounds or less. We noted on GEM's Web site the GEM eL 
XD, which has a GVWR of 3,000 pounds, a payload capacity of 1,450 
pounds, a top speed of 25 mph, and a range of up to 40 miles.\11\ This 
example illustrates that the current GVWR limit permits the development 
of cargo-carrying, electric LSVs.
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    \11\ See GEM Web site, available at http://www.gemcar.com.
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IV. Conclusion

    For the reasons stated above, we are denying ETA's petition to 
increase the maximum allowable GVWR to 4,000 pounds for electric LSVs. 
Furthermore, because we are not increasing the maximum allowable GVWR, 
we are denying ETA's recommendation to establish brake requirements and 
tire weight rating requirements in FMVSS No. 500.

    Issued on: September 19, 2008.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. E8-22736 Filed 9-25-08; 8:45 am]

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