Subpart B - Evaluation Criteria for the Preliminary Analysis

§610.20 General.

The Administrator will employ the following criteria for evaluating the accuracy of fuel economy representations made with respect to retrofit devices:

(a) Device functional category;

§610.21 Device functional category and vehicle system effects.

(a) The devices evaluated in this program are organized into categories for purposes of definition and establishment of evaluation criteria and test procedures, and to indicate which vehicle functional characteristics (other than fuel economy) may be adversely affected by installation or use of the device.

(b) A device's category will be based on:

(1) Engineering principles governing operation of the device;

(2) Interaction between the device and specific vehicle/engine operating characteristics; and

(3) Constraints with respect to vehicle applicability of the device.

(c) The device categories and the vehicle functional characteristics which may be adversely affected are noted for each device category in Table I. The notation for each characteristic is as follows:

(d) In the absence of sufficient information from the device manufacturer on this topic or if the Administrator's preliminary analysis indicates that testing is necessary to determine the nature or extent of possible adverse effects of device installation and use on vehicle operation and performance, the Administrator will require such tests to be conducted prior to the publication of a complete evaluation of the device.

[44 FR 17946, Mar. 23, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 18489, May 1, 1984]

§610.22 Device integrity.

The integrity of a device will be evaluated with respect to:

(a) The extent to which device manufacture is standardized by means of drawings, specifications, and other fabrication and quality assurance controls;

(b) The degree of sensitivity of device effectiveness to deterioration under exposure to normal operating conditions.

(c) The susceptibility of the device to deterioration of effectiveness under abnormal operating conditions;

(d) The effect upon its surroundings of device malfunction which may be reasonably anticipated to occur in actual use; and

(e) The extent to which test data support (b), (c) and (d).

§610.23 Operator interaction effects.

The device will also be evaluated with respect to:

(a) The degree of sensitivity of device effectiveness to variances in installation, operation and maintenance;

(b) The adequacy of manufacturer-furnished instructions for minimizing variances in installation, operation and maintenance;

(c) The extent to which device installation or use, or the effects of such installation or use, relate to Federal emission control regulations;

(d) Effects on the performance, safety, or occupant comfort of the retrofitted vehicle, and on that of other vehicles; and

(e) The relationship between total cost of ownership of the device (purchase price plus maintenance costs) and the cost savings realizable from its fuel economy effects.

§610.24 Validity of test data.

The Administrator will make a determination as to the validity of manufacturer-furnished test data on the basis of:

(a) The correlation between the test procedures used by the manufacturer or testing agent and the procedures prescribed in subpart D;

(b) The choice of test vehicle(s) as representative of the manufacturer's claim for operation and/or principles of operation;

(c) The degree of control exercised over ambient and operating conditions in the tests, including vehicle calibrations;

(d) Accuracy and precision of the measurement techniques and instrumentation used in the tests;

(e) Disclosure of all test data acquired on the device, whether representing positive, negative, or inconclusive results;

(f) Qualifications and independence of the testing agent; and

(g) The extent to which test data include evaluation of the durability of the device, or its effect on vehicle durability.

§610.25 Evaluation of test data.

Valid manufacturer-furnished test data will be evaluated with respect to:

(a) Vehicle applicability;

(b) Dependence of device effects upon vehicle type;

(c) Device effects on fuel economy, and on emissions, with statistical or other caveats as established by the data base;

(d) Definition of claims which can be made based on the available data; and

(e) Substantiation of specified claims made by the manufacturer.