⚡Delay in FMVSS No. 305a Effective Date for Electric Vehicles
This document delays until March 20, 2025, the effective date of the December 20, 2024, final rule that adopted Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 305a to replace FMVSS No. 305, "Electric- powered vehicles: Electrolyte spillage and electrical shock protection." FMVSS No. 305a applies to light and heavy vehicles and includes performance requirements for the propulsion battery. The final rule also established a part entitled, "Documentation for Electric- powered Vehicles," that requires manufacturers to compile risk mitigation documentation and submit standardized emergency response information to assist first and second responders handling electric vehicles.
Learn More🚍Grant of Temporary Exemption for Motorcoach Seat Belt Requirements
In accordance with our regulations, NHTSA is granting a petition from Legacy Limousines and Luxury Coaches for a temporary exemption from the requirement to install Type 2 seat belts (i.e., shoulder belts) at side-facing locations in the company's motorcoaches. The petitioner is a final-stage manufacturer of entertainer-type motorcoaches, seeking temporary exemption from the shoulder belt requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant crash protection," for side-facing seats on motorcoaches. The granted exemption permits the petitioner to install Type 1 seat belts (lap belt only) at side-facing seating positions, instead of the Type 2 seat belts (lap and shoulder belts) required by FMVSS No. 208. After reviewing the petition and the comments received, the agency has determined that the requested exemption is warranted to enable the petitioner to sell a vehicle whose overall level of safety or impact protection is at least equal to that of a nonexempted vehicle.
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