47. GRVA considered WP.29-175-04 (together with WP.29-175-05 under agenda item 8 (a) above.)

48. Due to the lack of time and the late submission of informal document GRVA-01-27, GRVA agreed to postpone the consideration of this document until the January 2019 session of GRVA.

53. The expert from OICA presented GRVA-01-27 proposing an alternative approach for conducting the Type II-A test (defined in UN Regulation No. 13) for battery electric vehicles (also including hybrid electric vehicles). He highlighted the economic burden on manufacturers producing battery electric vehicles of category M3 (Classes II, II and B) as well as N3 (for the carriage of dangerous goods and those towing trailers of Category O4). GRVA agreed to discuss this issue but expressed reservations with the idea presented because of the high safety risk related to the situation of such vehicle driving downhill with a full state of charge of the traction battery. The expert from Czech Republic reported on their experience with city buses equipped with battery electric vehicles. GRVA agreed that more information including statistics on the battery state of charge, effect on aftermarket replacement parts, details on the working principle of the proposed “brake estimator” would be needed in order to further discuss this matter.

61. The expert from OICA introduced GRVA-04-30 proposing amendments to UN Regulation No. 13 concerning the Type II-A test for Battery Electric Vehicles already discussed at the second session of GRVA. The expert from OICA stated the Type II-A test provisions would have weight, packaging and costs implications for BEVs. GRVA noted the safety rationale behind the Type II-A requirement and that technologies to achieve compliance impacted equally on vehicles with other propulsion systems. The expert from CLEPA stated that they support the activity presented by OICA and that they would contribute to the research of an acceptable solution.

71. The expert from OICA presented GRVA-05-39-Rev.1 introducing GRVA-05-38-Rev.1 with a revised proposal for a new endurance braking testing procedure (proposed Type IV test) for Battery Electric and Hybrid Electric heavy Vehicles (including vehicle of Category M3 and N3) not coping with the existing Type II-A test when the traction battery is fully charged.

72. GRVA requested the secretariat to distribute the OICA proposal with an official symbol at it September 2020 session.