Federal Register
Tuesday, January 29, 1974
Washington, D.C.
Volume 39, Number 20
Pages 3649-3797
Part I

[Docket No. EX73-9; Notice 2]

SEBRING-VANGUARD, INC.

Petition for Temporary Exemption From Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

This notice grants the petition of Sebring-Vanguard, Inc. for a temporary exemption of its electrically-powered CitiCar for 1-year from certain safety standards.

On November 15, 1973 (38 FR 31556) the NHTSA published notice of a petition by Sebring-Vanguard for a 1-year exemption of its CitiCar from portions of four safety standards on grounds that exemption would facilitate the development and field evaluation of a low emission motor vehicle. The company cited the unavailability of electric defrosting systems in its request for relief from Standard No. 103, while promising to provide a defogging system. Hand cancellable turn signals are supplied but not the self-cancelling ones required by Standard No. 108 because of its steering column configuration, and it asks for exemption from that portion of the motor vehicle lighting standard. It does not believe that the hinge load requirements specified by Standard No. 206 are appropriate for vehicles with an unloaded weight of less than 1,000 pounds, and it plans to use approved marine hardware for door hinges and latches. The company is uncertain whether its frame can withstand the forces required by Standard No. 208 for upper torso restraints, but the CitiCar, which has a top speed of 28 mph, will be equipped with lap belts and padded dashboards.

All comments received in response to the notice endorsed the petition. Several letters of support were also received before the notice was published. The NHTSA has determined that, by allowing production and sale of an electric vehicle, the exemption would facilitate the development and field evaluation of a low-emission vehicle. The impact of the exemption on motor vehicle safety should be minimal due to the limited nature of the exemption in scope and duration, and the low initial production of the CitiCar. The exemption will also allow the public the choice of transportation independent of available supplies of gasoline. For these reasons the NHTSA has also determined that the exemption is consistent with the public interest and the objectives of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

In consideration of the foregoing, Sebring-Vanguard, Inc. is granted NHTSA Exemption NO. 73-9 exempting its CitiCar model manufactured for a period of 1-year from date of issuance of the exemption, from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Nos. 103, 108 (S4.1.1.5 only), 206, and 208.

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

Issued on January 24,1974.

James B. G regory,
Administrator.

[FR Doc.74-2313 Filed 1-28-74;8:45 am]