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Code of Federal Regulations (Last Updated: October 10, 2024) |
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Title 40 - Protection of Environment |
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Chapter I - Environmental Protection Agency |
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SubChapter C - Air Programs |
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Part 86 - Control of Emissions from New and in-Use Highway Vehicles and Engines |
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Subpart S - General Compliance Provisions for Control of Air Pollution From New and In-Use Light-Duty Vehicles, Light-Duty Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Vehicles |
§ 86.1869-12 - CO2 credits for off-cycle CO2 reducing technologies.
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§ 86.1869-12 CO2 credits for off-cycle CO2 reducing technologies.
This section describes how manufacturers may generate credits for off-cycle CO2-reducing technologies through model year 2032. The provisions of this section do not apply for nonmedium-MDPV heavy-duty vehicles, except that § 86.1819-14(d)(13) describes how to apply paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section for those vehicles. Manufacturers may no longer generate credits under this section starting in model year 2027 for vehicles deemed to have zero tailpipe emissions and in model year 2033 for all other vehicles. Manufacturers may no longer generate credits under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section for any type of vehicle starting in model year 2027.
(a) Manufacturers may generate credits for CO2-reducing technologies where the CO2 reduction benefit of the technology is not adequately captured on the Federal Test Procedure and/or the Highway Fuel Economy Test such that the technology would not be otherwise installed for purposes of reducing emissions (directly or indirectly) over those test cycles for compliance with the GHG standards. These technologies must have a measurable, demonstrable, and verifiable real-world CO2 reduction that occurs outside the conditions of the Federal Test Procedure and the Highway Fuel Economy Test. These optional credits are referred to as “off-cycle” credits. The technologies must not be integral or inherent to the basic vehicle design, such as engine, transmission, mass reduction, passive aerodynamic design, and tire technologies. Technologies installed for non-off-cycle emissions related reasons are also not eligible as they would be considered part of the baseline vehicle design. The technology must not be inherent to the design of occupant comfort and entertainment features except for technologies related to reducing passenger air conditioning demand and improving air conditioning system efficiency. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (a), off-cycle menu technologies included in paragraph (b) of this section remain eligible for credits. Off-cycle technologies used to generate emission credits are considered emission-related components subject to applicable requirements and must be demonstrated to be effective for the full useful life of the vehicle. Unless the manufacturer demonstrates that the technology is not subject to in-use deterioration, the manufacturer must account for the deterioration in their analysis. Durability evaluations of off-cycle technologies may occur at any time throughout a model year, provided that the results can be factored into the data provided in the model year report. Off-cycle credits may not be approved for crash-avoidance technologies, safety critical systems or systems affecting safety-critical functions, or technologies designed for the purpose of reducing the frequency of vehicle crashes. Off-cycle credits may not be earned for technologies installed on a motor vehicle to attain compliance with any vehicle safety standard or any regulation set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The manufacturer must use one of the three options specified in this section to determine the CO2 gram per mile credit applicable to an off-cycle technology. Note that the option provided in paragraph (b) of this section applies only to the 2014 and later model years. The manufacturer should notify EPA in their pre-model year report of their intention to generate any credits under this section.
(b) Credit available for certain off-cycle technologies. The provisions of this paragraph (b) are applicable only to 2014 and later model year vehicles. EPA may request data, engineering analyses, or other information that supports a manufacturer's use of the credits in this paragraph (b).
(1) The manufacturer may generate a CO2 gram/mile credit for certain technologies as specified in this paragraph (b)(1). Technology definitions are in paragraph (b)(4) of this section. Calculated credit values shall be rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile.
(i) Waste heat recovery. The credit shall be calculated using the following formula, rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile:
Where:
ELR = the electrical load reduction of the waste heat recovery system, in Watts, calculated as an average over 5-cycle testing.
(ii) High efficiency exterior lights. Credits may be accrued for high efficiency lighting as defined in paragraph (b)(4) of this section based on the lighting locations with such lighting installed. Credits for high efficiency lighting are the sum of the credits for the applicable lighting locations in the following table (rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile), or, if all lighting locations in the table are equipped with high efficiency lighting, the total credit for high efficiency lighting shall be 1.0 grams/mile. Lighting components that result in credit levels less than those shown in the following table are not eligible for credits.
Lighting Component Credit
(grams/mile)Low beam 0.38 High beam 0.05 Parking/position 0.10 Turn signal, front 0.06 Side marker, front 0.06 Tail 0.10 Turn signal, rear 0.06 Side marker, rear 0.06 License plate 0.08 (iii) Solar panels.
(A) Credits for solar panels used solely for charging the battery of an electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or hybrid electric vehicle shall be calculated using the following equation, and rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile:
Where:
Ppanel is the is the rated power of the solar panel, in Watts, determined under the standard test conditions of 1000 Watts per meter squared direct solar irradiance at a panel temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (±2 degrees) with an air mass spectrum of 1.5 (AM1.5).
(B) Credits for solar panels used solely for active vehicle ventilation systems are those specified in paragraph (b)(1)(viii)(E).
(C) Credits for solar panels used both for active cabin ventilation and for charging the battery of an electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or hybrid electric vehicle shall be calculated using the following equation, and rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile:
Where:
Cvent is the credit attributable to active cabin ventilation from paragraph (b)(1)(viii)(E) of this section;
Ppanel is the is the rated power of the solar panel, in Watts, determined under the standard test conditions of 1000 Watts per meter squared direct solar irradiance at a panel temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (±2 degrees) with an air mass spectrum of 1.5 (AM1.5); and
Pvent is the amount of power, in Watts, required to run the active cabin ventilation system.
(iv) Active aerodynamic improvements.
(A) The credit for active aerodynamic improvements for passenger automobiles shall be calculated using the following equation, and rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile:
Where:
CDreduced is the percent reduction in the coefficient of drag (Cd), shown as a value from 0 to 1. The coefficient of drag shall be determined using good engineering judgment consistent with standard industry test methods and practices.
(B) The credit for active aerodynamic improvements for light trucks shall be calculated using the following equation, and rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile:
Where:
CDreduced is the percent reduction in the coefficient of drag (Cd), shown as a value from 0 to 1. The coefficient of drag shall be determined using good engineering judgment consistent with standard industry test methods and practices.
(v) Engine idle start-stop.
(A) The passenger automobile credit for engine idle start-stop systems is 2.5 grams/mile, provided that the vehicle is equipped with an electric heater circulation system (or a technology that provides a similar function). For vehicles not equipped with such systems the credit is 1.5 grams/mile.
(B) The light truck credit for engine idle start-stop systems is 4.4 grams/mile, provided that the vehicle is equipped with an electric heater circulation system (or a technology that provides a similar function). For vehicles not equipped with such systems the credit is 2.9 grams/mile.
(vi) Active transmission warm-up. Systems using a single heat-exchanging loop that serves both transmission and engine warm-up functions are eligible for the credits in either paragraph (b)(1)(vi) or (b)(1)(vii) of this section, but not both.
(A) The passenger automobile credit is 1.5 grams/mile.
(B) The light truck credit is 3.2 grams/mile.
(vii) Active engine warm-up. Systems using a single heat-exchanging loop that serves both transmission and engine warm-up functions are eligible for the credits in either paragraph (b)(1)(vi) or (b)(1)(vii) of this section, but not both.
(A) The passenger automobile credit is 1.5 grams/mile.
(B) The light truck credit is 3.2 grams/mile.
(viii) Thermal control technologies. The maximum credit allowed for thermal control technologies is limited to 3.0 g/mi for passenger automobiles and to 4.3 g/mi for light trucks.
(A) Glass or glazing. Glass or glazing credits are calculated using the following equation, and rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile:
Where:
Credit = the total glass or glazing credits, in grams per mile rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile. The credit may not exceed 2.9 g/mi for passenger automobiles or 3.9 g/mi for light trucks;
Z = 0.3 for passenger automobiles and 0.4 for light trucks;
Gi = the measured glass area of window i, in square meters and rounded to the nearest tenth;
G = the total glass area of the vehicle, in square meters and rounded to the nearest tenth;
Ti = the estimated temperature reduction for the glass area of window i, determined using the following formula:
Ti = 0.3987 × (Ttsbase − Ttsnew)
Where:
Ttsnew = the total solar transmittance of the glass, measured according to ISO 13837, “Safety glazing materials—Method for determination of solar transmittance” (incorporated by reference in § 86.1).
Ttsbase = 62 for the windshield, side-front, side-rear, rear-quarter, and backlite locations, and 40 for rooflite locations.
(B) Active seat ventilation. The passenger automobile credit is 1.0 grams/mile. The light truck credit is 1.3 grams/mile.
(C) Solar reflective surface coating. The passenger automobile credit is 0.4 grams/mile. The light truck credit is 0.5 grams/mile.
(D) Passive cabin ventilation. The passenger automobile credit is 1.7 grams/mile. The light truck credit is 2.3 grams/mile.
(E) Active cabin ventilation. The passenger automobile credit is 2.1 grams/mile. The light truck credit is 2.8 grams/mile.
(ix) High efficiency alternator. The credit for a high efficiency alternator for passenger automobiles and light trucks shall be calculated using the following equation, and rounded to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile:
Where:
VDAHEA is the ratio of the alternator output power to the power supplied to the alternator, as measured using the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) efficiency measurement methodology and expressed as a whole number percent from 68 to 100.
(2) The maximum allowable decrease in the manufacturer's combined passenger automobile and light truck fleet average CO2 emissions attributable to use of the default credit values in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is 15 g/mi for model years 2023 through 2026 and 10 g/mi in all other model yearsspecified in paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section. If the total of the CO2 g/mi credit values from paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not exceed 10 or 15 g/mi (as applicable) the specified off-cycle credit cap for any passenger automobile or light truck in a manufacturer's fleet, then the total off-cycle credits may be calculated according to paragraph (f) of this section. If the total of the CO2 g/mi credit values from paragraph (b)(1) of this section exceeds 10 or 15 g/mi (as applicable) the specified off-cycle credit cap for any passenger automobile or light truck in a manufacturer's fleet, then the gram per mile decrease for the combined passenger automobile and light truck fleet must be determined according to paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section to determine whether the applicable limitation has been exceeded.
(i) Determine the gram per mile decrease for the combined passenger automobile and light truck fleet using the following formula:
Where:
Credits = The total of passenger automobile and light truck credits, in Megagrams, determined according to paragraph (f) of this section and limited to those credits accrued by using the default gram per mile values in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
ProdC = The number of passenger automobiles produced by the manufacturer and delivered for sale in the U.SUnited States. Starting in model year 2027, include only vehicles with internal combustion engines.
ProdT = The number of light trucks produced by the manufacturer and delivered for sale in the U.SUnited States. Starting in model year 2027, include only vehicles with internal combustion engines.
(ii) If the value determined in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section is greater than 10 or 15 grams per mile (as applicable)the off-cycle credit cap specified in paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section, the total credits, in Megagrams, that may be accrued by a manufacturer using the default gram per mile values in paragraph (b)(1) of this section shall be determined using the following formula:
Where:
ProdC = The number of passenger automobiles produced by the manufacturer and delivered for sale in the U.S.
ProdT = The number of light trucks produced by the manufacturer and delivered for sale in the U.S.
cap = the off-cycle credit cap specified in paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section.
(iii) If the value determined in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section is not greater than 10 or 15 grams per mile (as applicable)the off-cycle credit cap specified in paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section, then the credits that may be accrued by a manufacturer using the default gram per mile values in paragraph (b)(1) of this section do not exceed the allowable limit, and total credits may be determined for each category of vehicles according to paragraph (f) of this section.
(iv) If the value determined in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section is greater than 10 or 15 grams per mile (as applicable)the off-cycle credit cap specified in paragraph (b)(2)(v) of this section, then the combined passenger automobile and light truck credits, in Megagrams, that may be accrued using the calculations in paragraph (f) of this section must not exceed the value determined in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section. This limitation should generally be done by reducing the amount of credits attributable to the vehicle category that caused the limit to be exceeded such that the total value does not exceed the value determined in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section.
(v) The manufacturer's combined passenger automobile and light truck fleet average CO2 emissions attributable to use of the default credit values in paragraph (b)(1) of this section may not exceed the following specific values:
Model year Off-cycle
credit cap
(g/mile)(A) 2023-2026 15 (B) 2027-2030 10 (C) 2031 8.0 (D) 2032 6.0 (3) In lieu of using the default gram per mile values specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section for specific technologies, a manufacturer may determine an alternative value for any of the specified technologies. An alternative value must be determined using one of the methods specified in paragraph (c) or (d) of this section.
(4) Definitions for the purposes of this paragraph (b) are as follows:
(i) Active aerodynamic improvements means technologies that are automatically activated under certain conditions to improve aerodynamic efficiency (e.g., lowering of the coefficient of drag, or Cd), while preserving other vehicle attributes or functions.
(ii) High efficiency exterior lighting means a lighting technology that, when installed on the vehicle, is expected to reduce the total electrical demand of the exterior lighting system when compared to conventional lighting systems. To be eligible for this credit, the high efficiency lighting must be installed in one or more of the following lighting components: low beam, high beam, parking/position, front and rear turn signals, front and rear side markers, taillights, and/or license plate lighting.
(iii) Engine idle start-stop means a technology which enables a vehicle to automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle comes to a rest and restarts the engine when the driver applies pressure to the accelerator or releases the brake. Off-cycle engine start-stop credits will only be allowed for a vehicle if the Administrator has made a determination under the testing and calculation provisions in 40 CFR Part 600 that engine start-stop is the predominant operating mode for that vehicle.
(iv) Solar panels means the external installation of horizontally-oriented solar panels, with direct and unimpeded solar exposure to an overhead sun, on an electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, or a hybrid electric vehicle, such that the solar energy is used to provide energy to the electric drive system of the vehicle by charging the battery or directly providing power to the electric motor or to essential vehicle systems (e.g., cabin heating or cooling/ventilation). The rated power of the solar panels used to determine the credit value must be determined under the standard test conditions of 1,000 W/m2 direct solar irradiance at a panel temperature of 25 ±2 °C with an air mass of 1.5 spectrum (AM1.5).
(v) Active transmission warm-up means one of the following:
(A) Through model year 2022, active transmission warm-up means a system that uses waste heat from the vehicle to quickly warm the transmission fluid to an operating temperature range using a heat exchanger, increasing the overall transmission efficiency by reducing parasitic losses associated with the transmission fluid, such as losses related to friction and fluid viscosity.
(B) Starting in model year 2023, active transmission warm-up means a system that uses waste heat from the vehicle's exhaust to warm the transmission fluid to an operating temperature range using a dedicated heat exchanger. Active transmission warm-up may also include coolant systems that capture heat from a liquid-cooled exhaust manifold if the coolant loop to the transmission heat exchanger is not shared with other heat-extracting systems and it starts heat transfer to the transmission fluid immediately after engine starting, consistent with designs that exchange heat directly from exhaust gases to the transmission fluid.
(vi) Active engine warm-up means one of the following:
(A) Through model year 2022, active engine warm-up means a system that uses waste heat from the vehicle to warm up targeted parts of the engine so it reduces engine friction losses and enables closed-loop fuel control to start sooner.
(B) Starting in model year 2023, active engine warm-up means a system that uses waste heat from the vehicle's exhaust to warm up targeted parts of the engine so it reduces engine friction losses and enables closed-loop fuel control to start sooner. Active engine warm-up may also include coolant systems that capture heat from a liquid-cooled exhaust manifold.
(vii) Waste heat recovery means a system that captures heat that would otherwise be lost through the engine, exhaust system, or the radiator or other sources and converting that heat to electrical energy that is used to meet the electrical requirements of the vehicle or used to augment the warming of other load reduction technologies (e.g., cabin warming, active engine or transmission warm-up technologies). The amount of energy recovered is the average value over 5-cycle testing.
(viii) Active seat ventilation means a device which draws air, pushes or forces air, or otherwise transfers heat from the seating surface which is in contact with the seat occupant and exhausts it to a location away from the seat. At a minimum, the driver and front passenger seat must utilize this technology for a vehicle to be eligible for credit.
(ix) Solar reflective surface coating means a vehicle paint or other surface coating which reflects at least 65 percent of the impinging infrared solar energy, as determined using ASTM standards E903, E1918-06, or C1549-09 (incorporated by reference in § 86.1). The coating must be applied at a minimum to all of the approximately horizontal surfaces of the vehicle that border the passenger and luggage compartments of the vehicle, (e.g., the rear deck lid and the cabin roof).
(x) Passive cabin ventilation means one of the following:
(A) Through model year 2022, passive cabin ventilation means ducts, devices, or methods that utilize convective airflow to move heated air from the cabin interior to the exterior of the vehicle.
(B) Starting in model year 2023, passive cabin ventilation means methods that create and maintain convective airflow through the body's cabin by keeping windows or sunroof open to prevent excessive interior temperatures when the vehicle is parked outside in direct sunlight.
(xi) Active cabin ventilation means devices which mechanically move heated air from the cabin interior to the exterior of the vehicle.
(xii) Electric heater circulation system means a system installed in a vehicle equipped with an engine idle start-stop system that continues to circulate heated air to the cabin when the engine is stopped during a stop-start event. This system must be calibrated to keep the engine off for a minimum of one minute when the external ambient temperature is 30 °F and when cabin heating is enabled.
(xiii) High efficiency alternator means an alternator where the ratio of the alternator output power to the power supplied to the alternator is greater than 67 percent, as measured using the Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) efficiency measurement methodology.
(c) Technology demonstration using EPA 5-cycle methodology. To demonstrate an off-cycle technology and to determine a CO2 credit using the EPA 5-cycle methodology, the manufacturer shall determine the off-cycle city/highway combined carbon-related exhaust emissions benefit by using the EPA 5-cycle methodology described in 40 CFR Part 600. This method may not be used for technologies that include elements (e.g., driver-selectable systems) that require additional analyses, data collection, projections, or modeling, or other assessments to determine a national average benefit of the technology. Testing shall be performed on a representative vehicle, selected using good engineering judgment, for each model type for which the credit is being demonstrated. The emission benefit of a technology is determined by testing both with and without the off-cycle technology operating. If a specific technology is not expected to change emissions on one of the five test procedures, the manufacturer may submit an engineering analysis to the EPA that demonstrates that the technology has no effect. If EPA concurs with the analysis, then multiple tests are not required using that test procedure; instead, only one of that test procedure shall be required—either with or without the technology installed and operating—and that single value will be used for all of the 5-cycle weighting calculations. Multiple off-cycle technologies may be demonstrated on a test vehicle. The manufacturer shall conduct the following steps and submit all test data to the EPA.
(1) Testing without the off-cycle technology installed and/or operating.
(i) Determine carbon-related exhaust emissions over the FTP, the HFET, the US06, the SC03, and the cold temperature FTP test procedures according to the test procedure provisions specified in 40 CFR part 600 subpart B and using the calculation procedures specified in 40 CFR 600.113-12. Run each of these tests a minimum of three times without the off-cycle technology installed and operating and average the per phase (bag) results for each test procedure.
(ii) Calculate the FTP and HFET carbon-related exhaust emissions from the FTP and HFET averaged per phase results.
(iii) Calculate the combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emission value from the FTP and HFET values determined in paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of this section, where the FTP value is weighted 55% and the HFET value is weighted 45%. The resulting value is the 2-cycle unadjusted combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emissions value for the vehicle without the off-cycle technology.
(iv) Calculate the 5-cycle weighted city/highway combined carbon-related exhaust emissions from the averaged per phase results, where the 5-cycle city value is weighted 55% and the 5-cycle highway value is weighted 45%. The resulting value is the 5-cycle adjusted combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emission value for the vehicle without the off-cycle technology.
(2) Testing with the off-cycle technology installed and/or operating.
(i) Determine carbon-related exhaust emissions over the FTP, the HFET, the US06, the SC03, and the cold temperature FTP test procedures according to the test procedure provisions specified in 40 CFR part 600 subpart B and using the calculation procedures specified in 40 CFR 600.113-12. Run each of these tests a minimum of three times with the off-cycle technology installed and operating and average the per phase (bag) results for each test procedure.
(ii) Calculate the FTP and HFET carbon-related exhaust emissions from the FTP and HFET averaged per phase results.
(iii) Calculate the combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emission value from the FTP and HFET values determined in paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, where the FTP value is weighted 55% and the HFET value is weighted 45%. The resulting value is the 2-cycle unadjusted combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emissions value for the vehicle with the off-cycle technology.
(iv) Calculate the 5-cycle weighted city/highway combined carbon-related exhaust emissions from the averaged per phase results, where the 5-cycle city value is weighted 55% and the 5-cycle highway value is weighted 45%. The resulting value is the 5-cycle adjusted combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emission value for the vehicle with the off-cycle technology.
(3) Calculate the off-cycle credit in grams per mile using the following formula, rounding the result to the nearest 0.1 grams/mile:
Credit = (A−B)−(C−D)
Where:
Credit = the off-cycle benefit of the technology or technologies being evaluated, subject to EPA approval;
A = the 5-cycle adjusted combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emission value for the vehicle without the off-cycle technology, as calculated in paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of this section;
B = 5-cycle adjusted combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emission value for the vehicle with the off-cycle technology, as calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iv) of this section;
C = 2-cycle unadjusted combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emissions value for the vehicle without the off-cycle technology, as calculated in paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of this section; and
D = 2-cycle unadjusted combined city/highway carbon-related exhaust emissions value for the vehicle with the off-cycle technology, as calculated in paragraph (c)(2)(iii) of this section.
(4) Submit all test values to EPA, and include an engineering analysis describing the technology and how it provides off-cycle emission benefits. EPA may request additional testing if we determine that additional testing would be likely to provide significantly greater confidence in the estimates of off-cycle technology benefits.
(d) Technology demonstration using alternative EPA-approved methodology.
(1) This option may be used only with EPA approval, and the manufacturer must be able to justify to the Administrator why the 5-cycle option described in paragraph (c) of this section insufficiently characterizes the effectiveness of the off-cycle technology. In cases where the EPA 5-cycle methodology described in paragraph (c) of this section cannot adequately measure the emission reduction attributable to an off-cycle technology, the manufacturer may develop an alternative approach. Prior to a model year in which a manufacturer intends to seek these credits, the manufacturer must submit a detailed analytical plan to EPA. The manufacturer may seek EPA input on the proposed methodology prior to conducting testing or analytical work, and EPA will provide input on the manufacturer's analytical plan. The alternative demonstration program must be approved in advance by the Administrator and should:
(i) Use modeling, on-road testing, on-road data collection, or other approved analytical or engineering methods;
(ii) Be robust, verifiable, and capable of demonstrating the real-world emissions benefit with strong statistical significance;
(iii) Result in a demonstration of baseline and controlled emissions over a wide range of driving conditions and number of vehicles such that issues of data uncertainty are minimized;
(iv) Result in data on a model type basis unless the manufacturer demonstrates that another basis is appropriate and adequate.
(2) Notice and opportunity for public comment.
(i) The Administrator will publish a notice of availability in the Federal Register notifying the public of a manufacturer's proposed alternative off-cycle credit calculation methodology. The notice will include details regarding the proposed methodology but will not include any Confidential Business Information (see 40 CFR 1068.10 and 1068.11). The notice will include instructions on how to comment on the methodology. The Administrator will take public comments into consideration in the final determination and will notify the public of the final determination. Credits may not be accrued using an approved methodology until the first model year for which the Administrator has issued a final approval.
(ii) The Administrator may waive these notice and comment requirements for technologies for which EPA has previously approved a methodology for determining credits. To qualify for this waiver, the new application must be substantially identical in form, content, and methodology to the application for a previously approved methodology, and must include the following:
(A) A citation to the appropriate previously approved methodology, including the appropriate Federal Register Notice and any subsequent EPA documentation of the Administrator's decision;
(B) All necessary manufacturer- and vehicle-specific test data, modeling, and credit calculations; and,
(C) Any other vehicle- or technology-specific details required pursuant to the previously approved methodology to assess and support an appropriate credit value.
(iii) A waiver of the notice and comment requirements does not imply a determination that a specific credit value for a given technology is appropriate, and nor does it imply a waiver from the requirements in paragraphs (d)(1) and (e) of this section.
(iv) The Administrator retains the option to require a notice and opportunity for public comment in cases where a new application deviates in significant respects from a previously approved methodology or raises novel substantive issues.
(3) With respect to fuel consumption improvement values applicable to the determination of average fuel economy under 600.510-12(c)(3) for the 2017 and later model years, EPA will consult with the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, prior to making a decision on a manufacturer's application submitted under the requirements of this paragraph (d).
(e) Review and approval process for off-cycle credits.
(1) Initial steps required.
(i) A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits under the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section must conduct the testing and/or simulation described in that paragraph.
(ii) A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits under the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section must develop a methodology for demonstrating and determining the benefit of the off-cycle technology, and carry out any necessary testing and analysis required to support that methodology.
(iii) A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits under paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this section must conduct testing and/or prepare engineering analyses that demonstrate the in-use durability of the technology for the full useful life of the vehicle.
(2) Data and information requirements. The manufacturer seeking off-cycle credits must submit an application for off-cycle credits determined under paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. The application must contain the following:
(i) A detailed description of the off-cycle technology and how it functions to reduce CO2 emissions under conditions not represented on the FTP and HFET.
(ii) A list of the vehicle model(s) which will be equipped with the technology.
(iii) A detailed description of the test vehicles selected and an engineering analysis that supports the selection of those vehicles for testing.
(iv) All testing and/or simulation data required under paragraph (c) or (d) of this section, as applicable, plus any other data the manufacturer has considered in the analysis.
(v) For credits under paragraph (d) of this section, a complete description of the methodology used to estimate the off-cycle benefit of the technology and all supporting data, including vehicle testing and in-use activity data.
(vi) An estimate of the off-cycle benefit by vehicle model and the fleetwide benefit based on projected sales of vehicle models equipped with the technology.
(vii) An engineering analysis and/or component durability testing data or whole vehicle testing data demonstrating the in-use durability of the off-cycle technology components.
(3) EPA review of the off-cycle credit application. Upon receipt of an application from a manufacturer, EPA will do the following:
(i) Review the application for completeness and notify the manufacturer within 30 days if additional information is required.
(ii) Review the data and information provided in the application to determine if the application supports the level of credits estimated by the manufacturer.
(iii) For credits under paragraph (d) of this section, EPA will make the application available to the public for comment, as described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, within 60 days of receiving a complete application. The public review period will be specified as 30 days, during which time the public may submit comments. Manufacturers may submit a written rebuttal of comments for EPA consideration or may revise their application in response to comments. A revised application should be submitted after the end of the public review period, and EPA will review the application as if it was a new application submitted under this paragraph (e)(3).
(4) EPA decision.
(i) For credits under paragraph (c) of this section, EPA will notify the manufacturer of its decision within 60 days of receiving a complete application.
(ii) For credits under paragraph (d) of this section, EPA will notify the manufacturer of its decision after reviewing and evaluating the public comments. EPA will make the decision and rationale available to the public.
(iii) EPA will notify the manufacturer in writing of its decision to approve or deny the application, and will provide the reasons for the decision. EPA will make the decision and rationale available to the public.
(f) Calculation of total off-cycle credits. Total off-cycle credits in Megagrams of CO2 (rounded to the nearest whole numbermegagram) shall be calculated separately for passenger automobiles and light trucks according to the following formula:
Total Credits (Megagrams) = (Credit × Production × VLM) ÷ 1,000,000
Where:
Credit = the credit value in grams per mile determined in paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this section. Starting in model year 2027, multiply the credit value for PHEV by (1-UF), where
UF = the fleet utility factor established under 40 CFR 600.116-12(c)(1) or (c)(10)(iii) (weighted 55 percent city, 45 percent highway).
Production = The total number of passenger automobiles or light trucks, whichever is applicable, produced with the off-cycle technology to which to the credit value determined in paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this section applies.
VLM = vehicle lifetime miles, which for passenger automobiles shall be 195,264 and for light trucks shall be 225,865.
[77 FR 63170, Oct. 15, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 73997, Oct. 25, 2016; 85 FR 22621, Apr. 23, 2020; 85 FR 25270, Apr. 30, 2020; 86 FR 74525, Dec. 30, 2021; 88 FR 4480, Jan. 24, 2023; 89 FR 28199, Apr. 18, 2024]
