7. The Secretary of the informal group on Heavy Duty Hybrids (HDH) reported on the work progress made by the informal group (GRPE-61-16) at its third and fourth meetings. He presented the roadmap and the time-schedule for the development of new provisions for HDH (GRPE-61-17). He welcomed the offer by OICA to devote 200,000 euros for this project and invited all Contracting Parties to contribute, as well. He sought the support of GRPE to extend the mandate of the informal group (see report ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/60, Annex 3 [GRPE-60 meeting report annex containing the HDH group terms of reference]) to also include a power pack test procedure. GRPE agreed on the roadmap and the project planning and endorsed the request to extend the mandate to power pack testing.

8. The expert from Japan shared his country’s experience on testing HDH. He mentioned that the power pack test method could result in an expensive test procedure, due to necessary additional test equipment. He considered the “hardware in the loop (HILS)” as the most appropriate test procedure and suggested working on the HILS method with the highest priority.

9. GRPE noted that the informal group on HDH would meet again in Ann Arbor from 16 to 18 March 2011. The Chair reminded the informal group to also include definitions for HDH. He invited the informal group to also meet in conjunction with the next session of GRPE in June 2011.