177. The representative of the United States of America, on behalf of the co-sponsors (China, Japan, European Union and the members of IWG GTR No. 20, Phase 2), reported on the progress of the IWG meeting of EVS-GTR, Phase 2. He explained that IWG has held two virtual meetings via Webex with one more meeting of Co-Sponsors and all Contracting Parties, taking place on 13 November 2020, with the intention to schedule a full IWG meeting in mid-January 2021. He added that the IWG will continue to share information on Contracting Parties’ regulatory and research developments. He clarified that the IWG will focus on remaining technical issues, especially those requiring additional research and validation tests; continue to evaluate a proposal from OICA concerning in-use low energy criteria and also, like in the hydrogen IWG, study the sled test, because the acceleration values were too low and deemed inappropriate for heavy-duty vehicles. He also reported that the United States of America shared with the IWG research reports on battery diagnostics, battery thermal runaway triggering techniques, and management of stranded energy in a Rechargeable Electric Energy Storage System (REESS). Moreover, he informed AC.3 that even with the good progress made by the IWG, the Chair alerted the forum that an extension of the mandate may be needed and the IWG would inform AC.3 in advance. Finally, he thanked the Secretariat and Secretaries of WP.29 and IWGs for their continued diligent work
and excellent professional support.