Control of Air Pollution From Motor Vehicles and New Motor Vehicle Engines; Increase of the Vehicle Mass for 3-Wheeled Motorcycles |
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Carol M. Browner
Environmental Protection Agency
11 March 1998
[Federal Register: March 11, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 47)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 11847-11850] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr11mr98-15] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 86 [FRL-5975-9] RIN 2060-AH06 Control of Air Pollution From Motor Vehicles and New Motor Vehicle Engines; Increase of the Vehicle Mass for 3-Wheeled Motorcycles AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Today's action changes the regulatory definition of a motorcycle to include 3-wheeled vehicles weighing up to 1749 pounds effective for 1998 and later model year motorcycles for which emission standards are in place. This action will create no detrimental health effects, and will therefore retain the health benefits derived from the current motorcycle regulations in effect. DATES: This rule is effective on April 10, 1998. ADDRESSES: Materials relevant to this final rule are contained in Docket No. A-96-49. The docket is located at the Air Docket section, 401 M. Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460, and may be viewed in room M- 1500 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The telephone number is (202) 260-7548 and the facsimile number is (202) 260-4400. A reasonable fee may be charged by EPA for copying docket material. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Lamitola, Vehicle Programs and Compliance Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105. Telephone (313) 668-4479. Email LAMITOLA.FRANK@ EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV. FAX (313) 741-7869. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulated Entities Entities regulated by this action are motorcycle and motor vehicle manufacturers. Tabulated entities include the following: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Category Examples of regulated entities ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Industry...............................Motorcycle manufacturers. Manufacturers of 3- wheeled vehicles. Importers of motorcycles. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This table is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather provides a guide for readers regarding entities likely to be regulated by this action. This table lists the types of entities that EPA is now aware could potentially be regulated by this action. Other types of entities not listed in the table could also be regulated. To determine whether your facility is regulated by this action, you should carefully examine the criteria contained in Sec. 86.402 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as modified by today's action. If you have questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the preceding FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Electronic Availability Electronic copies of the preamble and the regulatory text of this final rulemaking are available via the EPA internet web site. This service is free of charge, except for any cost you already incur for internet connectivity. An electronic version is made available on the day of publication on the primary EPA web site listed below. The EPA Office of Mobile Sources also publishes these documents on the secondary web site listed below: EPA internet web site http://www.epa.gov/docs/fedrgstr/EPA-AIR/(either select desired date or use Search feature) OMS web site http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/(look in ``What's New'' or under the specific rulemaking topic) Please note that due to differences between the software used to develop the document and the software into which the document may be downloaded, changes in format, page length, etc. may occur. Table of Contents I. Background II. Requirements of the Final Rule III. Public Participation IV. Administrative Requirements I. Background On June 3, 1997, the Agency published a proposed rule which increased the allowable weight limit for three-wheeled motorcycles from 1499 pounds to 1749 pounds (62 FR 30291). This action was taken after a manufacturer requested that EPA consider raising the weight limit to accommodate the market demand for slightly heavier three-wheeled motorcycles. According to the manufacturer, raising the limit would allow more amenities, such as air conditioning. EPA found that it was appropriate to propose raising the weight limit to 1749 pounds, because it accommodates the market-driven changes indicated by the manufacturer, but does not compromise air quality or health benefits. EPA requested comments about the potential for the weight increase to substantially increase the number of such vehicles being sold [[Page 11848]] in the U.S., or the manner in which they are used. No comments were received during the public comment period for the proposed rule. Therefore, EPA is finalizing as proposed the increased weight limit for 3-wheeled motorcycles. EPA believes that increasing the weight limit for 3-wheeled vehicles by 250 pounds will not compromise air quality or health benefits based on the current market for these vehicles. The health benefits currently achieved by the motorcycle emission standards are anticipated to remain, and not be adversely impacted by raising the weight limit of 3-wheeled vehicles. Furthermore, it is EPA's understanding that the number of 3-wheeled vehicles affected by this action is going to be very small (i.e., sales of around 500 units annually). EPA will revisit this matter if this understanding changes. II. Requirements of the Final Rule EPA is increasing the weight limit for 3-wheeled motorcycles from 1,499 pounds (680 Kg) to 1,749 pounds (793 Kg). EPA is also amending the motorcycle testing procedures to account for the increase in weight. III. Public Participation EPA stated in the proposal that a public hearing would be held if requested. No party requested a hearing. A sixty-day public comment period was provided, during which time no written comments were submitted to the EPA Air Docket. IV. Administrative Requirements A. Executive Order 12866 Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), the Agency must determine whether the regulatory action is ``significant'' and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the Executive Order. The Order defines ``significant regulatory action'' as one that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive Order. It has been determined that this rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under the terms of Executive Order 12866 and is therefore not subject to OMB review. B. Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements This regulation does not impose any new information collection requirements and results in no change to the currently approved collection. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements contained in this rule under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and has assigned OMB control number 2060-0104. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the information. An Agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9 and 48 CFR chapter 15. C. Impact on Small Entities EPA has determined that it is not necessary to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis in connection with this proposed rule. This rule will not have a significant adverse economic impact because it will increase the weight limit on these vehicles, thereby allowing the manufacturers of three-wheeled vehicles to produce these vehicles within the weight limit of 1749 pounds (793 Kg). This weight increase will allow manufacturers of vehicles near the existing limit of 1499 pounds (680 Kg) to provide more options on those vehicles and thus share the existing market with competing entities fairly. EPA has identified only two manufacturers currently marketing such vehicles in the United States. D. Submission to Congress and the General Accounting Office Under 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A) as added by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, EPA submitted a report containing this rule and other required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the General Accounting Office prior to publication of the rule in today's Federal Register. This rule is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2). E. Unfunded Mandates Act Under Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (``Unfunded Mandates Act''), signed into law on March 22, 1995, EPA must prepare a budgetary impact statement to accompany any proposed or final rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more. Under Section 205, EPA must select the most cost-effective and least burdensome alternative that achieves the objectives of the rule and is consistent with statutory requirements. Section 203 requires EPA to establish a plan for informing and advising any small governments that may be significantly or uniquely impacted by the rule. EPA has determined that the final approval action promulgated today does not include a Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs of $100 million or more to either State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate, or to the private sector. List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 86 Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, Confidential business information, Labeling, Motor vehicle pollution, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Dated: March 3, 1998. Carol M. Browner, Administrator. For the reasons set out in the preamble, part 86 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: PART 86--CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION FROM NEW AND IN-USE MOTOR VEHICLES AND NEW AND IN-USE MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINES: CERTIFICATION AND TEST PROCEDURES 1. The authority citation for part 86 continues to read as follows: [[Page 11849]] Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q. Subpart E--Emission Regulations for 1978 and Later New Motorcycles, General Provisions 2. A new Sec. 86.402-98 is added to read as follows: Sec. 86.402-98 Definitions. The definitions of Sec. 86.402-78 apply to this subpart. The following definition in this section is applicable beginning with the 1998 model year: Motorcycle means any motor vehicle with a headlight, taillight, and stoplight and having: Two wheels, or Three wheels and a curb mass less than or equal to 793 kilograms (1749 pounds). 3. Section 86.406-78 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows: Sec. 86.406-78 Introduction, structure of subpart, further information. * * * * * (d) Manufacturers who are considering an application should contact: Director, Vehicle Programs and Compliance Division, Environmental Protection Agency, 2565 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 and state whether he/she plans to certify for total sales of greater than or less than 10,000 vehicles for the applicable model year. Subpart F--Emission Regulations for 1978 and Later New Motorcycles; Test Procedures 4. Section 86.518-78 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows: Sec. 86.518-78 Dynamometer calibration. * * * * * (c) The performance check consists of conducting a dynamometer coastdown at one or more inertia-horsepower settings and comparing the coastdown time to the table in Figure F98-9 of Sec. 86.529-98. If the coastdown time is outside the tolerance, a new calibration is required. 5. A new Sec. 86.529-98 is added to subpart F to read as follows: Sec. 86.529-98 Road load force and inertia weight determination. (a)(1) Road load as a function of speed is given by the following equation: F = A + CV2 (2) The values for coefficients A and C and the test inertia are given in Figure F98-9 of this section. Velocity V is in km/h and force (F) is in newtons. The forces given by the equation in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be simulated to the best ability of the equipment being used. (b) The inertia given in Figure F98-9 shall be used. Motorcycles with loaded vehicle mass outside these limits shall be tested at an equivalent inertial mass and road load force specified by the Administrator. Figure F98-9 follows: Figure F98-9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Force coefficients 70 to 60 km/h coastdown calibration --------------------------- times Equivalent -------------------------------------- Loaded vehicle mass (kg) inertial Force at 65 Allowable tolerance mass (kg) A (nt) C (nt/(km/ km/h (nt) Target time ------------------------- h)\2\) (sec) Longest Shortest time (sec) time (sec) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 95-105...................................................... 100 0.0 .0224 94.8 2.95 3.1 2.8 106-115..................................................... 110 0.82 .0227 96.8 3.18 3.3 3.0 116-125..................................................... 120 1.70 .0230 98.8 3.39 3.6 3.2 126-135..................................................... 130 2.57 .0233 100.9 3.60 3.8 3.4 136-145..................................................... 140 3.44 .0235 102.9 3.80 4.0 3.6 146-155..................................................... 150 4.32 .0238 104.9 3.99 4.2 3.8 156-165..................................................... 160 5.19 .0241 107.0 4.10 4.4 4.0 166-175..................................................... 170 6.06 .0244 109.0 4.36 4.6 4.2 176-185..................................................... 180 6.94 .0246 111.0 4.53 4.7 4.3 186-195..................................................... 190 7.81 .0249 113.1 4.69 4.9 4.5 196-205..................................................... 200 8.69 .0252 115.1 4.85 5.1 4.6 206-215..................................................... 210 9.56 .0255 117.1 5.00 5.2 4.8 216-225..................................................... 220 10.43 .0257 119.2 5.15 5.4 4.9 226-235..................................................... 230 11.31 .0260 121.2 5.30 5.5 5.1 236-245..................................................... 240 12.18 .0263 123.2 5.43 5.7 5.2 246-255..................................................... 250 13.06 .0266 125.3 5.57 5.8 5.4 256-265..................................................... 260 13.93 .0268 127.3 5.70 5.9 5.5 266-275..................................................... 270 14.80 .0271 129.3 5.82 6.1 5.6 276-285..................................................... 280 15.68 .0274 131.4 5.95 6.2 5.7 286-295..................................................... 290 16.55 .0277 133.4 6.06 6.3 5.8 296-305..................................................... 300 17.43 .0279 135.4 6.18 6.4 6.0 306-315..................................................... 310 18.30 .0282 137.5 6.29 6.5 6.1 316-325..................................................... 320 19.17 .0285 139.5 6.40 6.6 6.2 326-335..................................................... 330 20.05 .0288 141.6 6.50 6.7 6.3 336-345..................................................... 340 20.92 .0290 143.6 6.60 6.8 6.4 346-355..................................................... 350 21.80 .0293 145.6 6.70 6.9 6.5 356-365..................................................... 360 22.67 .0296 147.7 6.80 7.0 6.6 366-375..................................................... 370 23.54 .0299 149.7 6.89 7.1 6.7 376-385..................................................... 380 24.42 .0301 151.7 6.98 7.2 6.8 386-395..................................................... 390 25.29 .0304 153.8 7.07 7.3 6.9 396-405..................................................... 400 26.17 .0307 155.8 7.16 7.4 6.9 406-415..................................................... 410 27.04 .0310 157.8 7.24 7.5 7.0 416-425..................................................... 420 27.91 .0312 159.9 7.33 7.6 7.1 426-435..................................................... 430 28.79 .0315 161.9 7.41 7.6 7.2 436-445..................................................... 440 29.66 .0317 163.7 7.49 7.7 7.3 446-455..................................................... 450 30.54 .0318 164.9 7.61 7.8 7.4 456-465..................................................... 460 31.41 .0319 166.0 7.73 8.0 7.5 466-475..................................................... 470 32.28 .0319 167.1 7.84 8.1 7.6 476-485..................................................... 480 33.16 .0320 168.3 7.95 8.2 7.7 [[Page 11850]] 486-495..................................................... 490 34.03 .0320 169.4 8.06 8.3 7.8 496-505..................................................... 500 34.90 .0321 170.5 8.17 8.4 7.9 506-515..................................................... 510 35.78 .0322 171.7 8.28 8.5 8.0 516-525..................................................... 520 36.65 .0322 172.8 8.39 8.6 8.2 526-535..................................................... 530 37.53 .0323 173.9 8.49 8.7 8.3 536-545..................................................... 540 38.40 .0323 175.1 8.60 8.8 8.4 546-555..................................................... 550 39.27 .0324 176.2 8.70 9.0 8.5 556-565..................................................... 560 40.15 .0325 177.3 8.80 9.1 8.6 566-575..................................................... 570 41.02 .0325 178.5 8.90 9.2 8.7 576-585..................................................... 580 41.90 .0326 179.6 9.00 9.3 8.8 586-595..................................................... 590 42.77 .0327 180.8 9.10 9.4 8.9 596-605..................................................... 600 43.64 .0327 181.9 9.19 9.5 8.9 606-615..................................................... 610 44.52 .0328 183.0 9.29 9.5 9.0 616-625..................................................... 620 45.39 .0328 184.2 9.38 9.6 9.1 626-635..................................................... 630 46.27 .0329 185.3 9.47 9.7 9.2 636-645..................................................... 640 47.14 .0330 186.4 9.56 9.8 9.3 646-655..................................................... 650 48.01 .0330 187.6 9.65 9.9 9.4 565-665..................................................... 660 48.89 .0331 188.7 9.74 10.0 9.5 666-675..................................................... 670 49.76 .0332 189.8 9.83 10.1 9.6 676-685..................................................... 680 50.64 .0332 191.0 9.92 10.2 9.7 686-695..................................................... 690 51.51 .0333 192.1 10.01 10.3 9.8 696-705..................................................... 700 52.38 .0333 193.2 10.09 10.4 9.8 706-715..................................................... 710 53.26 .0334 194.4 10.17 10.4 9.9 716-725..................................................... 720 54.13 .0335 195.5 10.26 10.5 10.0 726-735..................................................... 730 55.01 .0335 196.6 10.34 10.6 10.1 736-745..................................................... 740 55.88 .0336 197.8 10.42 10.7 10.2 746-755..................................................... 750 56.75 .0336 198.9 10.50 10.8 10.2 756-765..................................................... 760 57.63 .0337 200.1 10.58 10.9 10.3 766-775..................................................... 770 58.50 .0338 201.2 10.66 10.9 10.3 776-785..................................................... 780 59.38 .0338 203.3 10.74 11.0 10.4 786-795..................................................... 790 60.25 .0339 204.5 10.82 11.1 10.5 796-805..................................................... 800 61.12 .0339 205.6 10.91 11.2 10.6 806-815..................................................... 810 62.00 .0340 206.7 10.99 11.3 10.7 816-825..................................................... 820 62.87 .0341 207.9 11.07 11.4 10.8 826-835..................................................... 830 63.75 .0341 209.0 11.15 11.5 10.8 836-845..................................................... 840 64.62 .0342 210.1 11.24 11.5 10.9 846-855..................................................... 850 65.49 .0343 211.3 11.32 11.6 11.0 856-865..................................................... 860 66.37 .0343 212.4 11.40 11.7 11.1 866-873..................................................... 870 67.24 .0344 213.5 11.48 11.8 11.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) The dynamometer shall be adjusted to reproduce the specified road load as determined by the most recent calibration. Alternatively, the actual vehicle road load can be measured and duplicated: (1) Make at least 5 replicate coastdowns in each direction from 70 to 60 km/h on a smooth, level track under balanced wind conditions. The driver must have a mass of 80 10 kg and be in the normal driving position. Record the coastdown time. (2) Average the coastdown times. Adjust the dynamometer load so that the coastdown time is duplicated with the vehicle and driver on the dynamometer. (3) Alternate procedures may be used if approved in advance by the Administrator. [FR Doc. 98-6094 Filed 3-10-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560-50-P