Notice2024-30081
Alternative Methods for Calculating Off-Cycle Credits Under the Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Application From Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 19, 2024
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting comment on an application from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation ("MMC") for off-cycle carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>) credits under EPA's light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards. "Off-cycle" emission 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" CO<INF>2</INF> credits. Under the regulations, a manufacturer may apply for CO<INF>2</INF> 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. MMC submitted their application describing a methodology for determining off-cycle credits from the technology described in their application. Pursuant to applicable regulations, EPA is making this off-cycle credit calculation methodology available for public comment.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 103824-103826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30081]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ- EPA-HQ-OAR-2024-0597; FRL-12502-01-OAR]
Alternative Methods for Calculating Off-Cycle Credits Under the
Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Program: Application From
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting
comment on an application from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (``MMC'')
for off-cycle carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>) credits under EPA's
light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards. ``Off-cycle''
emission 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''
CO<INF>2</INF> credits. Under the regulations, a manufacturer may apply
for CO<INF>2</INF> credits
[[Page 103825]]
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. MMC submitted their
application describing a methodology for determining off-cycle credits
from the technology described in their application. Pursuant to
applicable regulations, EPA is making this off-cycle credit calculation
methodology available for public comment.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 21, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-
2024-0597 online using <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a> (our preferred method), by
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9bfab6faf5ffb6e9b6dff4f8f0feefdbfeebfab5fcf4ed"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="11703c707f753c633c557e727a7465517461703f767e67">[email protected]</span></a> 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: David Wright, Environmental Protection
Specialist, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Implementation,
Analysis and Compliance Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
2000 Traverwood Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Telephone: (734) 214-4467.
Email address: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bec9ccd7d9d6ca90dadfc8d7dadffedbcedf90d9d1c8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c4b3b6ada3acb0eaa0a5b2ada0a584a1b4a5eaa3abb2">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 (CO<INF>2</INF>) credits for those technologies that achieve
CO<INF>2</INF> reductions in the real world but where those reductions
are not adequately captured on the test used to determine compliance
with the CO<INF>2</INF> 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 CO<INF>2</INF>
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 CO<INF>2</INF> 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:
<bullet> Use modeling, on-road testing, on-road data collection, or
other approved analytical or engineering methods;
<bullet> Be robust, verifiable, and capable of demonstrating the
real-world emissions benefit with strong statistical significance;
<bullet> 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;
<bullet> 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 CO<INF>2</INF> credits:
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> The application must contain a detailed description of the
off-cycle technology and how it functions to reduce CO<INF>2</INF>
emissions under conditions not represented on the compliance tests.
<bullet> The application must contain a list of the vehicle
model(s) which will be equipped with the technology.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 Application
A. High Efficiency Air Conditioning Scroll Compressor
Using the alternative methodology approach described above, MMC is
applying for off-cycle GHG credits for the use of a high efficiency air
conditioning (A/C) scroll compressor. The MMC high efficiency A/C
scroll compressor results in air conditioning efficiency credits beyond
those provided in the regulations.
Scroll A/C compressors are some of the most efficient compressors
used for mobile air conditioning applications. This technology has been
used in most of the electrical A/C compressors in use today. MMC has
adopted this technology which provides improved efficiency relative to
fixed displacement and electronically variable displacement piston A/C
compressors.
Scroll A/C compressors operate using a scroll that orbits around a
fixed scroll. Fluid is compressed as it moves through the compressor
and the volume between the scrolls is reduced. Utilizing the orbiting
scroll for compression provides high volumetric efficiency due to
reduced pressure losses compared to other compressor technologies.
MMC is applying for credits for the 2020 and later model years for
vehicles
[[Page 103826]]
sold in the U.S. and equipped with the high efficiency A/C scroll
compressor. MMC is requesting a credit value of 1.1 grams/mile. As MMC
notes in their application, technologies improving the efficiency of A/
C systems are subject to credit caps as noted in 40 CFR 86.1868-12. The
rationale for the credit cap is the additional fuel consumption of A/C
systems can never be reduced to zero, and the limits established by
regulation reflect the maximum possible reduction in fuel consumption
projected by EPA. To ensure manufacturers do not generate A/C
efficiency credits which would exceed the maximum possible reductions
projected by EPA, EPA has applied the A/C menu credit caps to A/C
efficiency credits manufacturers have received using the alternative
method process. Therefore, the appropriate A/C efficiency menu caps
will also apply to MMC for their high efficiency A/C scroll compressor
credit value. 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 <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ve-certification/compliance-information-light-duty-greenhouse-gas-ghg-standards">https://www.epa.gov/ve-certification/compliance-information-light-duty-greenhouse-gas-ghg-standards</a>.
EPA is providing a 30-day comment period on this application for
off-cycle credits described in this notice, as specified by the
regulations. The manufacturer 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 request. 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.
Byron Bunker,
Director, Implementation, Analysis and Compliance Division, Office of
Transportation and Air Quality.
[FR Doc. 2024-30081 Filed 12-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 19, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.