[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42933-42935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14166]


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

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OAR-2023-0303; FR-11052-01-OAR]


Alternative Methods for Calculating Off-Cycle Credits Under the 
Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Applications From 
Ford Motor Company

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting 
comment on applications from Ford Motor Company (``Ford'') for off-
cycle carbon dioxide (CO2) credits under EPA's light-duty 
vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards. ``Off-cycle'' emission

[[Page 42934]]

reductions can be achieved by employing technologies that result in 
real-world benefits, but where that benefit is not adequately captured 
on the test procedures used by manufacturers to demonstrate compliance 
with emission standards. EPA's light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas 
program acknowledges these benefits by giving automobile manufacturers 
several options for generating ``off-cycle'' CO2 credits. 
Under the regulations, a manufacturer may apply for CO2 
credits for off-cycle technologies that result in off-cycle benefits. 
In these cases, a manufacturer must provide EPA with a proposed 
methodology for determining the real-world off-cycle benefit. Ford has 
submitted applications that describe methodologies for determining off-
cycle credits from technologies described in their applications. 
Pursuant to applicable regulations, EPA is making these off-cycle 
credit calculation methodologies available for public comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 5, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2023-0303 online using www.regulations.gov (our preferred method), by 
email to [email protected] or by mail to: EPA Docket Center, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Mailcode 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20460.
    EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the 
public docket without change including any personal information 
provided, unless the comment includes profanity, threats, information 
claimed to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linc Wehrly, Director, Light Duty 
Vehicle Center, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air 
Quality, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 Traverwood Drive, 
Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone: (734) 214-4286. Fax: (734) 214-4053. 
Email address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    EPA's light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas (GHG) program provides 
three pathways by which a manufacturer may accrue off-cycle carbon 
dioxide (CO2) credits for those technologies that achieve 
CO2 reductions in the real world but where those reductions 
are not adequately captured on the test used to determine compliance 
with the CO2 standards, and which are not otherwise 
reflected in the standards' stringency. The first pathway is a 
predetermined list of credit values for specific off-cycle technologies 
that may be used beginning in model year 2014.\1\ This pathway allows 
manufacturers to use conservative credit values established by EPA for 
a wide range of technologies, with minimal data submittal or testing 
requirements, if the technologies meet EPA regulatory definitions. In 
cases where the off-cycle technology is not on the menu but additional 
laboratory testing can demonstrate emission benefits, a second pathway 
allows manufacturers to use a broader array of emission tests (known as 
``5-cycle'' testing because the methodology uses five different testing 
procedures) to demonstrate and justify off-cycle CO2 
credits.\2\ The additional emission tests allow emission benefits to be 
demonstrated over some elements of real-world driving not adequately 
captured by the GHG compliance tests, including high speeds, hard 
accelerations, and cold temperatures. These first two methodologies 
were completely defined through notice and comment rulemaking and 
therefore no additional process is necessary for manufacturers to use 
these methods. The third and last pathway allows manufacturers to seek 
EPA approval to use an alternative methodology for determining the off-
cycle CO2 credits.\3\ This option is only available if the 
benefit of the technology cannot be adequately demonstrated using the 
5-cycle methodology. Manufacturers may also use this option to 
demonstrate reductions that exceed those available via use of the 
predetermined list.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 40 CFR 86.1869-12(b).
    \2\ See 40 CFR 86.1869-12(c).
    \3\ See 40 CFR 86.1869-12(d).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the regulations, a manufacturer seeking to demonstrate off-
cycle credits with an alternative methodology (i.e., under the third 
pathway described above) must describe a methodology that meets the 
following criteria:
     Use modeling, on-road testing, on-road data collection, or 
other approved analytical or engineering methods;
     Be robust, verifiable, and capable of demonstrating the 
real-world emissions benefit with strong statistical significance;
     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;
     Result in data on a model type basis unless the 
manufacturer demonstrates that another basis is appropriate and 
adequate.
    Further, the regulations specify the following requirements 
regarding an application for off-cycle CO2 credits:
     A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits 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.
     A manufacturer requesting off-cycle credits 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.
     The application must contain a detailed description of the 
off-cycle technology and how it functions to reduce CO2 
emissions under conditions not represented on the compliance tests.
     The application must contain a list of the vehicle 
model(s) which will be equipped with the technology.
     The application must contain a detailed description of the 
test vehicles selected and an engineering analysis that supports the 
selection of those vehicles for testing.
     The application must contain all testing and/or simulation 
data required under the regulations, plus any other data the 
manufacturer has considered in the analysis.
    Finally, the alternative methodology must be approved by EPA prior 
to the manufacturer using it to generate credits. As part of the review 
process defined by regulation, the alternative methodology submitted to 
EPA for consideration must be made available for public comment.\4\ EPA 
will consider public comments as part of its final decision to approve 
or deny the request for off-cycle credits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ See 40 CFR 86.1869-12(d)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Off-Cycle Credit Applications

A. Enhanced Window Anti-Fogging Strategy

    Ford is applying for off-cycle GHG credits for the use of an 
Enhanced Window Anti-Fogging Strategy (EWAFS). The EWAFS system uses an 
on-glass humidity sensor to calculate the fogging probability in mild 
ambient conditions. This technology improves the efficiency by allowing 
more accurate fogging prediction and less widespread A/C usage. The 
requested credit amount was confirmed by Ford through a series of AC17 
tests with ambient temperatures from 5 to 25 degrees Celsius. Testing 
was done with and without the EWAFS system and an

[[Page 42935]]

average difference in CO2 was calculated. Ford also 
collected real-world customer usage data for 2020 MY vehicles equipped 
with EWAFS and 2019 MY vehicles without EWAFS to determine the 
percentage of time that the A/C compressor operated at each 
temperature. Ford is applying for a credit of 1.2 grams/mile for 2020 
and later model years for light duty vehicles sold in the U.S. and 
equipped with the EWAFS system. EPA considers this anti-fogging 
technology to be a technology that, if approved, will be subject to the 
maximum limits for an A/C system of 5.0 g/mi for passenger automobiles 
and 7.2 g/mi for light trucks specified in the regulations.\5\ Details 
of the testing and analysis can be found in the manufacturer's 
application.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See 40 CFR 86.1868-12(b)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Brushless Engine Cooling Fan Technology

    Ford is applying for off-cycle GHG credits for the use of a 
Brushless Engine Cooling Fan Technology (BMECF). The brushless motor's 
increased efficiency reduces electrical load. Brushless motors improve 
efficiency by removing a source of friction at the brushes. While 
brushed motor cooling fans are typically 1 or 2 speed, brushless motors 
are inherently variable speed. This allows for a more efficient fan 
speed for a given set of vehicle conditions. Ford evaluated on-road fan 
usage collected through on-vehicle data loggers. Electrical power 
consumption was measured for 2-speed brushed, pulse-width modulated 
brushed, and brushless cooling fan types. Data was collected using 
several 2019 and 2020 vehicles and across various ambient temperatures. 
The electrical load reduction was converted to a CO2 value 
using a load factor of 3.2 g/mi per 100 W. Ford is applying for a GHG 
credit of 0.5 g/mi for cars, and 1.3 g/mi for light duty trucks 
equipped with the brushless engine cooling fan technology. Details of 
the testing and analysis can be found in the manufacturer's 
application.

III. EPA Decision Process

    EPA has reviewed the applications for completeness and is now 
making the applications available for public review and comment as 
required by the regulations. The off-cycle credit applications 
submitted by the manufacturers (with confidential business information 
redacted) have been placed in the public docket (see ADDRESSES section 
above) and on EPA's website at https://www.epa.gov/ve-certification/compliance-information-light-duty-greenhouse-gas-ghg-standards.
    EPA is providing a 30-day comment period on the applications for 
off-cycle credits described in this document, as specified by the 
regulations. The manufacturers may submit a written rebuttal of 
comments for EPA's consideration, or may revise an application in 
response to comments. After reviewing any public comments and any 
rebuttal of comments submitted by manufacturers, EPA will make a final 
decision regarding the credit requests. EPA will make its decision 
available to the public by placing a decision document (or multiple 
decision documents) in the docket and on EPA's website at the same 
manufacturer-specific pages shown above. While the broad methodologies 
used by these manufacturers could potentially be used for other 
vehicles and by other manufacturers, the vehicle specific data needed 
to demonstrate the off-cycle emissions reductions would likely be 
different. In such cases, a new application would be required, 
including an opportunity for public comment.

Byron Bunker,
Director, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air 
Quality.
[FR Doc. 2023-14166 Filed 7-3-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P