Proposal for establishing two informal working groups addressing the safety and environmental requirements for electric vehicles to enhance regulatory cooperation including developing global technical regulations in the framework of the 1998 Agreement.

Final proposal prepared by the informal working group on the scope, objectives, and timetable for consideration of the environmental impact of electric vehicles and possible regulatory needs. This group expects to supplement the existing efforts of the WLTP, HDH, EFV, VPSD, and EVS informal groups.

At the 8th EVS GTR IWG meeting in Changchun, members of EVS Task Force 1 continued to discuss proposed requirements and test procedures (EVS-08-17) to address the safety performance of EVs during in-use in events of flooding and vehicle washing. As an action item, members were requested to provide comments on the overall proposal, specifically, water depth (10cm) and vehicle speed (20 km/h) for the drive test. The US believes that a 10 cm water depth test presents a reasonable and likely scenario for testing electric vehicle performance.

US proposal for sequential fault testing of battery management systems.

US and Canada position on the draft fire exposure test for electric vehicles. Pursuant to Canadian testing, the US and Canada do not see a need for additional testing of electric vehicles (as opposed to ICE vehicles) because the battery and electric systems do not show any cause for special concern in vehicle fires. Battery pack testing could be considered in a later phase in the development of the safety regulation if warranted.