Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00383:reg:9
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00383
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 9
Character Range: 8927–10755

9  Significant differences—ME (with a gross vehicle mass greater than 12 tonnes) and NC category vehicles

Application of this section
 (1) This section applies to road vehicles in the following vehicle categories:
 (a) heavy omnibus (ME), where the gross vehicle mass exceeds 12 tonnes;
 (b) heavy goods vehicle (NC).

Differences concerning internal combustion engine
 (2) For a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, the following differences in design characteristics are significant:
 (a) a difference in engine configuration (including a difference in the number or arrangement of cylinders);
 (b) the use of a different fuel type (unless the only difference is in fuel grade);
 (c) a difference in engine capacity of 50% or more.
Example: For paragraph (2)(b), an engine that runs on diesel uses a different fuel type to an engine that runs on LPG. However, a difference in fuel grade is not captured – for example, an engine that runs on regular unleaded as compared to premium unleaded petrol.

Difference in maximum range of electric vehicle
 (3) For an electric-only vehicle, a difference of 10% or more in the maximum driving range from a single charge is significant.

Increase in maximum power
 (4) A difference that consists of an increase in maximum power of at least 50% is significant.

Difference in other design characteristics
 (5) Differences in the following design characteristics are significant:
 (a) the number or position of powered axles;
 (b) the number of steered axles;
 (c) the vehicle category.
Example: For paragraph (5)(a), the powered axles of a front-wheel drive vehicle are in a different position to the powered axles of a rear-wheel drive vehicle. The number of powered axles of an all-wheel drive vehicle is different to the number of powered axles of a rear-wheel drive vehicle.