49 CFR Part 533

This document seeks comment on various issues relating to the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) program. In particular, this document seeks comments relating to possible enhancements to the program that will assist in furthering fuel conservation while protecting motor vehicle safety and the economic vitality of the auto industry. The agency is particularly interested in improvements to the structure of the CAFE program authorized under current statutory authority. The focus of this document is to solicit comments on the structure of the CAFE program, not the stringency level for a future CAFE standard.

49 CFR Part 538

To provide an incentive for the production of vehicles that can operate on certain alternative fuels as well as on regular petroleum fuels, Congress established a special procedure for calculating the fuel economy of those vehicles for determining compliance with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards.

49 CFR Part 538

This final rule extends the incentive created by the Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 (AMFA) to encourage the continued production of motor vehicles capable of operating on alternative fuels for four additional model years covering model years (MY) 2005 to MY 2008. Under the special procedures for calculating the fuel economy of those vehicles contained in AMFA, alternative and dual fueled vehicles are assigned a higher fuel economy value for CAFE purposes, which can result in manufacturers earning credits for their fleets. The final rule limits the maximum amount of credit that may be applied to any manufacturers' fleet to 0.9 mpg per fleet during MY 2005 - MY 2008.

49 CFR Part 552, 571, 585, 595

The agency is proposing to upgrade the agency's occupant protection standard to require advanced air bags.

49 CFR Part 552, 571, 585, 595

The agency is proposing to upgrade the agency's occupant protection standard to require advanced air bags.

49 CFR Part 552, 571, 585, 595

The agency is proposing to upgrade the agency's occupant protection standard to require advanced air bags.

49 CFR Part 563

EDRs in Vehicles

NOTE: In Table III of this document, the accuracy specification for the "Frontal air bag deployment, time to deploy/first stage, driver" should read +/- 2 ms. We have determined that the missing number is a typographical error that is not present in the originally signed notice. A correction notice to fix this error will soon be published in the Federal Register.

49 CFR Part 567, 571, 574, 575, 597

49 CFR Part 571

Amends the FMVSS on air brake systems to improve the stopping distance performance of truck tractors. The rule requires the vast majority of new heavy truck tractors to achieve a 30 percent reduction in stopping distance compared to currently required levels. For these heavy truck tractors (approximately 99 percent of the fleet), the amended standard requires those vehicles to stop in not more than 250 feet when loaded to their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and tested at a speed of 60 miles per hour (mph). For a small number of very heavy severe service tractors, the stopping distance requirement will be 310 feet under these same conditions. In addition, this final rule requires that all heavy truck tractors must stop within 235 feet when loaded to their “lightly loaded vehicle weight” (LLVW).

49 CFR Part 571