Federal Register
Monday, August 25, 1975
Washington, D.C.
Volume 40, Number 165
Pages 37027-37203

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1975-08-25/pdf/FR-1975-08-25.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. EX75-19; Notice 2]

ELECTRIC FUEL PROPULSION CORP.

Petition for Temporary Exemption From Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has decided to grant Electric Fuel Propulsion Corporation (“EFP”) of Detroit, Michigan, a temporary exemption from eight Federal motor vehicle safety standards, one expiring September 1, 1976 and the remainder on August 1, 1977.

Notice of the petition was published on June 20, 1975 (40 FR 26054), and an opportunity afforded for comment.

EFP intends to convert to electric power a conventionally-powered American intermediate-size passenger car that is certified as conforming to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. The modification it performs includes removal of the internal combustion engine, gas tank, and associated hardware. Springs, shock-absorbers, sway bars, tires, tubes, and other miscellaneous chassis components are removed and replaced with new, heavlerduty equipment, and the frame is reinforced. In addition to the electric propulsion system, a gasoline-defroster unit is installed in the trunk with a small gasoline tank. These modifications increase vehicle weight from approximately 4,000 pounds to something over 6,000 pounds.

EFP does not yet know whether the increase in weight will affect conformity with portions of the following Federal motor vehicle safety standards: S4.1 and 54.2.1 of No. 105 and corresponding portions of No. 105-75, Hydraulic Brake Systems, S3.1 through S3.3 of No. 201, Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, 54.1 of No. 204, Steering Control Rearward Displacement, and S4.1.2 and S4.1.3 of No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection. In addition it requested complete exemption from the following standards: No. 212, Windshield Mounting, No. 215, Exterior Protection, and No. 216, Roof Crush Resistance. Finally, because of the gasoline-fueled heater-defroster unit, it requested an exemption from Standard No. 301/301—75, Fuel System Integrity. The exemptions were requested for 2 years. While they are in effect EFP would conduct testing to determine the extent of conformance. If nonconformances are discovered they would be corrected by the end of the exemption period. The company argued that an exemption Is in the public interest as its vehicles “reduce air pollution at street level and lessen the dependence of the United States on importation of petroleum.”

No comments were filed opposing the petition. A comment by Sebring-Vanguard, Inc., a manufacturer of electric vehicles, supported it. The Administrator to date has granted temporary exemptions to four manufacturers of electric vehicles; Sebring-Vanguard, Zagato/Elcar, AM General, and C. H. Waterman Industries. The products of these manufacturers are small, relatively lightweight motor vehicles intended primarily for urban use. EFP’s vehicle, on the other hand, is a conventional-sized passenger car, intended for both urban and highway use. The data derived from operation of a vehicle of this size should enable its manufacturer to determine whether heavy, full-sized electric vehicles are feasible and marketable using present technology, and under today’s socioeconomic conditions. Further, the effect of an exemption upon motor vehicle safety is probably minimal, since the basic vehicle is one produced by a major American manufacturer and certified, before its modification, as meeting the Federal safety standards. EFP has no actual knowledge that the vehicle falls to conform with any standard from which exemption is requested. The exemptions will expire August 1, 1977, except for S4.1.2 of Standard No. 208, which expires September 1, 1976. In a separate rulemaking action the NHTSA is extending the life of S4.1.2 from August 14, 1975 to August 31,1976. Because of the Importance of occupant crash protection the NHTSA believes that EPF should devote its initial compliance efforts to resolving any uncertainties that may exist with respect to Standard No. 208.

For the reasons described above the Administrator has determined that a temporary exemption would facilitate the development and field evaluation of a low-emission motor vehicle, and would not unreasonably degrade the safety of the vehicle. Accordingly EFP is granted NHTSA Exemption No. 75-19, from S4.1.2 of 571.208, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection, expiring September 1, 1976, and from the following Federal motor vehicle safety standards or portions thereof, expiring August 1, 1977: S4.1 and S4.2.1 of 49 CFR 571.105, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 105, Hydraulic Brake Systems, and corresponding portions of 49 CFR 571.105-75; S3.1 through S3.3 of 571.201, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, S4.1 of 571.204, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 204, Steering Control Rearward Displacement, 571.212, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 212, Windshield Mounting, 571.215, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 215, Exterior Protection, 571.216, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, Roof Crush Resistance, and 571.301/301-75, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 301/301-75, Fuel System Integrity.

(Sec. 3, Pub. L. 92-648,86 Stat. 1169

Issued on August 15,1975.

James B . G regory,
Administrator,

[FR Doc.75-22437 Filed 8-22-75; 8:45 am]