Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Fuel System Integrity and Electric Powered Vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection

This document responds to petitions for reconsideration of the December 2003 final rule upgrading the rear and side impact tests in the agency's fuel system integrity standard. Under that final rule, compliance with the rear impact requirement will be phased-in following a three-year lead time beginning September 1, 2006, by the following annually increasing percentages of production: 40, 70, and 100%. That final rule provided further that compliance with the side impact upgrade will be required for all vehicles on and after September 1, 2004. In response to the petitions, the agency is providing additional lead time for some vehicles. It is providing manufacturers of motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) an additional year of lead time to comply with the upgraded side impact requirements. The agency is also providing multistage manufacturers and alterers an additional year of lead time to comply with both the upgraded side and rear impact requirements. To provide small volume manufacturers with flexibility in complying with the upgraded rear impact requirements, the agency is permitting them to comply with the following percentages of production: 0%, 0%, and 100%.