Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00383:reg:10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L00383
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 10
Character Range: 10755–12598

10  Circumstances in which combinations of differences are significant
 (1) Differences in the design characteristics of road vehicles are significant for the purposes of subsection 128(1) where multiple differences that are not, of themselves, significant, are significant when considered in combination.
Note: Subsections 128(4) and (6) of the Rules set out differences in design characteristics of road vehicles that, considered individually, are not significant.
 (2) Without limiting subsection (1), the significance of differences, when considered in combination, must be assessed by reference to:
 (a) their impact on:
 (i) the vehicle as a whole; and
 (ii) the operational performance of the vehicle; and
 (b) the following principles:
 (i) hardware or mechanical differences are more likely to be significant than differences in software and tuning; and
 (ii) differences in software and tuning are more likely to be significant than cosmetic differences; and
 (iii) differences are more likely to be significant if they materially relate to the eligibility criteria on the basis of which entry on the SEVs Register is sought.
Example: For subparagraph (2)(b)(iii), where a person applies for the entry of road vehicles of a particular kind on the SEVs Register on the basis of the environmental criterion in section 131 of the Rules, the differences are more likely to be significant if they improve the emissions performance of the road vehicles in question.
 (3) Operational performance means any of the following:
 (a) acceleration and braking;
 (b) energy efficiency;
 (c) lateral adhesion or roadholding;
 (d) vehicle safety rating or crashworthiness;
 (e) in relation to road vehicles of a particular kind for which entry on the SEVs Register is sought under the mobility criterion—ability to assist people with a disability.