Members of the EVS-GTR informal working group (IWG) continued to exchange information and provided status update on EV and battery research and testing activities. The summaries of the presentations are as follows:

4.1 China:
The representative of China, Ms. Chen Chunmei, presented an update of EV strategies, EV pilot project and standards in China. According to China’s Energy Serving and New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan, china is planning to have 0.5million EVs on the market by 2015, and 5 million EVs by 2020. China launched the EV pilot project from 2009 and around 19,000 energy-saving and new energy vehicles have been demonstrated by now. More than 60 EV and infrastructure standards in China have been established and published, focusing on the whole vehicle, key components, and infrastructure, etc., such as GB/T 18384 Safety Requirements for Electrical Vehicles, QC/T 743 Li-ion Battery for EV

OICA questioned whether the Chinese government intends to replace its standards with the GTR once it’s established. China replied that it might revise its related standards on the basis of EVS-GTR. In addition, OICA requested China to identify those standards that are mandatory and those that are voluntary.

4.2 EU:
A representative of the Joint Research Center (JRC), Ms. Lois Brett, on behalf of EU, provided a presentation on the JRC organization, its role and its activities specific to EV battery research. The JRC is establishing facilities for:
• Battery cell performance testing,
• EV battery pack performance testing (up to 160 kW) and
• Battery cell abuse testing.

Using these facilities the JRC will perform pre-normative research in support of the deployment of batteries for vehicle traction. Scientific and technical support will be provided to policy makers concerning e-mobility and electrification of European transport. Furthermore JRC will also provide impartial and balanced scientific evidence to facilitate effective international and European standardization. A number of collaborations have been established including a Letter of Intent on Interoperability with Argonne National Laboratory and a Memorandum of Understanding with EUROBAT. Negotiations are ongoing to formalize agreements with other US DoE National Laboratories including NREL and SANDIA.

4.3 Korea:
The Korea provided a presentation on its fire testing including the localized/engulfing fire test on hydrogen fuel tank and REESS. In conclusion of the presentation Korea provided a proposal for the REESS fire test parameters. The IWG members will discuss this proposal further in future meeting.

4.4 US DOE:
The US Department of Energy representative, Mr. Lee Slezak, provided a presentation on its EV activities and some safety incidents regarding REESS. The presentation included details on the Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA) program. The primary goal of AVTA is to provide benchmark data for technology modeling, and research and development programs, by benchmarking and validating the performance of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles that feature advanced renewable energy technologies including EVs. The US DOE also works with first responders to establish the guideline on how to handle EVs and REESS in an emergency situation.

4.5 US DOT (NHTSA):
On behalf of the US, the Chairman provided an update on NHTSA REESS safety research program. Below is a summary of NHTSA’s Li-Ion battery research main tasks and estimated completion dates:

• Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA): publication date anticipated after 1st quarter of calendar year 2013.

• Development of test procedures and performance requirements: SAE and Ford are leading 2 separate teams to conduct this task independently. The purpose of the task is to evaluate the FMEA and develop test procedures to mitigate the safety risks. This task is expected to be completed by October 2013.

• Standardized Battery Assessment and Field Discharge Procedure: NHTSA and Argonne National labs are working to identify, develop, and demonstrate methods for the safe management and handling of RESS in post-crash and non-operational environments. Estimated completion date for this task is August 2014.

• Analytical Tools Development Control System Performance Modeling: The purpose of this task is to define required operator warning indicators for RESS safety critical criteria. Research prognostic conditions and warnings for anticipated safety critical events. Volpe National Transportation Research Center is leading this effort to establish basic Fail-Safe Conditions, Diagnostic Codes and indicators, Data Recording/Storage (e.g., EDR), and Safety Prognostic Requirements. The completion date is expected by March 2014.

The German delegate questioned on how the research affects the timing of the development of the GTR. The US delegate expressed that NHTSA is conducting the research as timely as possible, and that the GTR requirements can be developed in the order of their maturity as research results become available.