Solectria Corporation; Receipt of Petition for Temporary Exemption From Four Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Docket No. 94-36; Notice 1]

Solectria Corporation; Receipt of Petition for Temporary

Exemption From Four Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Solectria Corporation of Arlington, Massachusetts, has petitioned

to be exempted from four Federal motor vehicle safety standards for

passenger cars that it converts to electric power. The basis of the

petition is that compliance with the standards would cause substantial

economic hardship.

Notice of receipt of the petition is published in accordance with

agency regulations on the subject and does not represent any judgment

by the agency on the merits of the petition (49 CFR 555.7(a)).

Previously, petitioner received NHTSA Exemption No. 92-2 covering

Geo Metro passenger cars that it converts to electric power, and

markets under the name ``Solectria Force.'' Its petition seeks renewal

of the exemption from four Federal motor vehicle safety standards which

expired on May 1, 1994. As the petition was not received until after

the expiration date of the previous exemption, the matter must be

considered de novo. NHTSA notes that the petitioner is also

manufacturing electric truck conversions under NHTSA Exemption No. 94-

2.

Petitioner has sold 45 Solectria Forces under its previous

exemption. This exemption extended to seven Federal motor vehicle

safety standards. Petitioner was able to ensure conformance of the

Force with three of these. The Geo Metros to be converted have been

certified by their original manufacturer to conform to all applicable

Federal motor vehicle safety standards. However, petitioner determined

that the vehicles may not conform with all or part of four Federal

motor vehicle safety standards after their modification. The standards

for which exemptions are requested are discussed below.

1. Standard No. 204, Steering Control Rearward Displacement

The conversion affects the ability to meet paragraph S4.2, although

the petitioner is confident that it will be able to certify compliance

for perpendicular frontal impact under the conditions of S5 of Standard

No. 208.

2. Standard No. 208, Occupant Crash Protection

The conversion affects the ability to meet paragraph S4.1.4.

Solectria has completed certification testing for a perpendicular

frontal barrier test, but has yet to complete testing for an angled

barrier test, side-impact test or roll-over test. [NHTSA note:

Paragraph S4.1.4 does not require manufacturers to certify compliance

with the side-impact or rollover tests if the vehicle is equipped with

seat belts at every seating position.]

3. Standard No. 214, Side Door Strength

The modifications will affect compliance with the requirements of

S3.1.3 and S3.2.3 requiring a minimum peak crush resistance based on

the vehicle curb weight. Solectria is confident that the Force will

meet this standard though it has not recertified the vehicle. In

addition, the Geo Metro may not have been certified by its original

manufacturer to meet the dynamic side impact test due to the phase-in

provision of this portion of the standard.

4. Standard No. 216, Roof Crush Resistance

According to the petitioner, the modifications will affect the

requirements in S4(a) which specifies a maximum crush force based on

the vehicle curb weight. However, the petitioner is confident that the

vehicle is capable of meeting Standard No. 216.

Exemption was requested from these four standards for a period of

eight months.

Petitioner argued that to require immediate compliance would create

substantial economic hardship. As of September 30, 1993, the company

had cumulative net losses of $107,300. It estimates that the total cost

of testing for compliance with the four standards would be $122,825. If

modifications appear indicated, further testing would be required. An

exemption would permit vehicle sales and the generation of cash

permitting testing and full certification of compliance while the

exemptions are in effect. It anticipates orders for 50 additional

Forces while the exemption is in effect. A denial of the petition would

remove the Force from production for a year, with total revenue losses

of $1,300,000. It could result in discontinuing production altogether.

According to the petitioner, granting the exemption would be in the

public interest and consistent with the National Traffic and Motor

Vehicle Safety Act (the Act) because it ``will be able to make a

substantial contribution to the country's transportation needs both in

themselves and as precursor to future electric vehicles.'' The

petitioner believes that ``it is critical that low-emission electric

vehicles be brought to market as quickly as possible to advance the

field and relieve the environmental and economic problems associated

with pollution and dependence on fossil fuel.''

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the petition

described above. Comments should refer to the Docket number and be

submitted to: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration, room 5109, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC

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, and will be available

for examination in the docket at the above address both before and

after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed after the

closing date will also be considered. Notice of final action on the

petition will be published in the Federal Register pursuant to the

authority indicated below.

Comment closing date: August 17, 1994.

(49 U.S.C. 30113; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50)

Issued on July 12, 1994.

Stanley R. Scheiner,

Acting Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.

[FR Doc. 94-17370 Filed 7-15-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P