86.1826-01—Assigned deterioration factors for small volume manufacturers and small volume test groups.
(a) Applicability.
This program is an option available to small volume manufacturers certified under the small volume manufacturer provisions of § 86.1838-01(b)(1) and small volume test groups certified under the small volume test group provisions of § 86.1838-01(b)(2). Manufacturers may elect to use these procedures in lieu of the requirements of §§ 86.1823, 86.1824, and 86.1825 of this subpart.
(b) Determination of deterioration factors.
No service accumulation method or vehicle/component selection method is required. Deterioration factors for all types of regulated emissions are determined using the provisions in this paragraph. A separate assigned deterioration factor is required for each durability group. Manufacturers shall use good engineering judgment in determining deterioration factors.
(1)
Manufacturers with aggregated sales of less than 301 motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines per year (determined under the provisions of § 86.1838-01(b)) may use assigned deterioration factors that the Administrator determines and prescribes.
(i)
The deterioration factors will be the Administrator's estimate, periodically updated and published in a guidance document or advisory circular, of the 70th percentile deterioration factors calculated using the industry-wide data base of previously completed durability data vehicles or engines used for certification.
(ii)
If there is insufficient deterioration information to calculate an appropriate industry-wide deterioration factor (for example: a new engine technology coupled with a proven emission control system), the Administrator may, at his/her discretion, use alternative methods to develop a deterioration factor.
(2)
Manufacturers with aggregated sales from and including 301 through 14,999 motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines per year (determined under the provisions of § 86.1838-01(b)) certifying vehicles equipped with proven emission control systems shall conform to the following provisions:
(i)
Manufacturers shall use assigned deterioration factors that the manufacturer determines based on its good engineering judgment.
(A)
The manufacturer may not use deterioration factors less than either the average or 70th percentile of all of that manufacturer's deterioration factor data, whichever is less. These minimum deterioration factors shall be calculated according to procedures in paragraph (b)(2)(ii), of this section.
(B)
If the manufacturer does not have at least two data points to calculate these manufacturer specific average deterioration factors, then the deterioration factors shall be no less than the EPA supplied industry-wide deterioration factors.
(C)
If there is insufficient deterioration information to calculate an appropriate industry-wide deterioration factor (for example, a new engine technology coupled with a proven emission control system), the Administrator may, at his/her discretion, use alternative methods to develop a deterioration factor.
(ii)
The manufacturer's minimum deterioration factors shall be calculated using the deterioration factors from all durability groups, within the same vehicle/engine-fuel usage category (e.g., gasoline-fueled light-duty vehicle, etc.) previously certified to the same emission standards.
(A)
The manufacturer shall use only deterioration factors from durability groups whose test groups were previously certified by the manufacturer and the deterioration factors shall not be included in the calculation more than once.
(C)
The manufacturer may, at its option, limit the deterioration factors used in the calculation of the manufacturer's minimum deterioration factors to those from all similar emission control systems to the system being certified if sufficient data (i.e., from at least two certified systems) exists.
(D)
All data eligible to be grouped as similar emission control system data shall be used in calculating similar system deterioration factors.
(E)
Any deterioration factors used in calculating similar system deterioration factors shall not be included in calculating the manufacturer's minimum deterioration factors used to certify any of the manufacturer's remaining vehicle systems.
(3)
Manufacturers with aggregated sales from 301 through 14,999 motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines per year (determined under the provisions of § 86.1838-01(b)) certifying vehicles equipped with unproven emission control systems shall conform to the following provisions:
(i)
The manufacturer shall use deterioration factors that the manufacturer determines from official certification durability data generated by vehicles from durability groups representing a minimum of 25 percent of the manufacturer's sales equipped with unproven emission control systems.
(iii)
The durability data vehicle mileage accumulation and emission tests are to be conducted in accordance with § 86.1831-01.
(iv)
The manufacturer must develop either deterioration factors or aged components to use on EDV testing by generating durability data in accordance with §§ 86.1823, 86.1824, and/or 86.1825 on a minimum of 25 percent of the manufacturer's projected sales (based on durability groups) that is equipped with unproven emission control systems.
(v)
The manufacturer must complete the 25 percent durability requirement before the remainder of the manufacturer's sales equipped with unproven emission control systems is certified using manufacturer-determined assigned deterioration factors.
(c) Emission component durability.
The manufacturer shall use good engineering judgment to determine that all emission-related components are designed to operate properly for the useful life of the vehicles in actual use (or alternative intervals as permitted in § 86.1805-01 ).