Federal Register
Tuesday, November 15, 1973
Washington, D.C.
Volume 38, Number 220
Pages 31499-31660
Part I

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. EX73-9; Notice 1]

SEBRING-VANGUARD, INC.

Petition for Temporary Exemption From Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Sebring-Vanguard, Inc. of Sebring, Florida, has applied for temporary exemption of its CitiCar from certain safety standards on grounds that exemption would facilitate the development and field evaluation of a low-emission motor vehicle.

The company was incorporated on May 14, 1973, for the purpose of manufacturing electric-powered motor vehicles. It intends to begin manufacture of its CitiCar two-passenger vehicle around January 1, 1974, and does not intend to manufacture more than 2,500 vehicles during that calendar year. The exemptions would be for a 1-year period only.

The exemptions that it requests would allow it to manufacture vehicles without defrosting systems (Standard No. 103), self-cancelling turn signals (Standard No. 108), conforming door latches and hinges (Standard No. 206), and upper torso restraints (Standard No. 208). The year provided by the exemptions would allow time for design and tooling of nonstandard components necessary for lightweight electric vehicles, while the company establishes itself in manufacturing and selling its products. The CitiCar cannot currently comply with Standard No. 103 as presently available electric defrosting systems are unsuitable for several reasons that the company describes in its petition. Further, SAE test procedures incorporated in Standard No. 103 require idling, a physical impossibility for electric vehicles. Sebring-Vanguard states that self-cancelling turn signal units are also unavailable for its presently designed steering wheel and column configuration. Its problems with Standard No. 206 stem from the fact that the hinge load requirements specified are appropriate for heavyweight vehicles, and not for those that have an unloaded weight of less than 1,000 pounds. Finally, it is as yet uncertain that its frame can withstand the forces required by Standard No. 208 for upper torso restraints.

The company’s arguments that 1-year exemptions will not unreasonably degrade the safety of the vehicle may be summarized as follows: Standard No. 103—a fan and air scoop system will provide defogging, but the car is not likely to be driven in conditions where a defroster is needed, due to its lack of heater and the deterioration of range under low temperature conditions. Standard No. 108— the turn signals are cancellable by hand. Standard No. 206—approved marine hardware will be used for door hinges and latches. Standard No. 208—vehicles have a top speed of only 28 m.p.h., and will be equipped with type 1 belts and padded dashboards.

This notice of receipt of a petition for a temporary exemption is published in accordance with the NHTSA regulations on this subject (49 CFR 555.7), and does not represent any agency decision or other exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the petition. Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition of Sebring-Vanguard, Inc., described above. Comments should refer to the docket number and be submitted to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room 5221, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, D.C. 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. The application and supporting materials, and all comments received, are available for examination in the docket both before and after the closing date. Comments received after the closing date will also be filed and will be considered to the extent possible. If the petition is granted, notice will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.

Comment closing date: December 17, 1973.

Proposed effective date: January 1, 1974.

(Sec. 3. Pub. L. 92-548, 86 Stat. 1159 (15 U.S.C. 1410) , delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.51 and 49 CFR 501.8.)

Issued on November 9, 1973.

Robert L. Carter,
Associate Administrator,
Motor Vehicle Programs.

[FR Doc.73-24420 Filed 11-14-73:8:45 am]