[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11847-11850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6094]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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