32. GRPE agreed to consider a presentation from the representative from the US on the recent proposed rule for Heavy Duty tailpipe emissions (GRPE-86-33) released by US EPA. The representative from the European Commission asked about how the future share of zero-tailpipe emission vehicles (ZEVs) had been calculated, and which kind of ZEVs had been considered. The representative from the US clarified the mandates in certain parts of the US, such as in California had been used as a reference and that no fuel cell vehicles were assumed in the time frame studied. He also added that for example, school buses were assumed to be electrified first, as a vehicle category in which the payback time would be quick and the driving patterns would match the vehicle technical specifications.

33. The Chair asked whether during the development of the US proposed rule, existing UN legal instruments such as UN GTRs Nos. 4 or 10 were taken into consideration. The representative from the US confirmed that the World Heavy-Duty test Cycle (WHDC) was considered but abandoned during the consultation process, as well as off cycle emissions where alignment would still require additional changes in the procedure. He confirmed that the US (through the US EPA) remained committed to harmonize regulation through GRPE.

34. The representative from the European Commission offered to introduce the Euro7/VII proposal at the next session of GRPE, proposing to hold any further discussions about necessary changes in UN GTRs until then. The Chair highlighted the importance of harmonizing provisions, especially on the heavy duty sectors, and invited GRPE to reconsider this topic at the forthcoming sessions of GRPE.

68. The Vice-Chair introduced GRPE-86-41 as his main takeaways from the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) workshop that took place earlier during the week. The representative from Japan introduced GRPE-86-17, the representative from the Russian Federation introduced GRPE-86-19, the representative from the US introduced GRPE-86-40 and the representative from CLEPA introduced GRPE-86-38 on their respective positions with respect to the inclusion of LCA in GRPE activities and the creation of a dedicated IWG to work on the topic.

69. The representative from the European Commission supported the creation of an IWG on LCA, highlighting that the conditions are not yet met to plan to deliver on a UN GTR. Finalization of ToRs, scope and timing of the activities would be considered during the first meeting of the IWG on LCA and introduced for adoption during the next session of GRPE.

70. The representative from the UK supported LCA to be considered by GRPE and to initiate an IWG on the topic. He highlighted the need to have a clear view on the aims, targets and objectives of the IWG. He also was not supportive of any regulatory deliverables at this stage, and that a mutual resolution, for example, could be drafted once a complete LCA picture has been finalized. He concluded that new expertise from outside of GRPE would be needed.

71. The representative from Sweden thanked Japan and the Republic of Korea for the initiative and supported the creation of a dedicated IWG. He also shared his view that regulatory provisions should not be aimed in a first step, and that the IWG should initially focus on information sharing and deliver a resolution.

72. The representative from Switzerland also supported the initiative as an essential activity for GRPE and showed his willingness to be involved. He also stressed on the importance of looking at air quality, water and soil LCA impacts on top of GHG which is the primary target of the IWG on LCA.

73. The Chair indicated that the draft ToRs, as shown in GRPE-86-18-Rev.1, would be discussed during the first meeting of the IWG on LCA and the next session of GRPE.

74. GRPE agreed to create a new IWG on LCA and to include LCA in the GRPE list of priorities.

75. The representative from Japan indicated that Japan would be happy to host the first IWG meeting expected in October 2022, thought a hybrid meeting configuration, with the support of the secretariat. He indicated the draft ToR would be discussed during the meeting. The secretariat offered its support to organize the first meeting of the IWG on LCA.