49 U.S.C. § 32901 : US Code - Section 32901: Definitions

Search 49 U.S.C. § 32901 : US Code - Section 32901: Definitions

(a) General. - In this chapter -
(1) "alternative fuel" means -
(A) methanol;
(B) denatured ethanol;
(C) other alcohols;
(D) except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a
mixture containing at least 85 percent of methanol, denatured
ethanol, and other alcohols by volume with gasoline or other
fuels;
(E) natural gas;
(F) liquefied petroleum gas;
(G) hydrogen;
(H) coal derived liquid fuels;
(I) fuels (except alcohol) derived from biological materials;
(J) electricity (including electricity from solar energy);
and
(K) any other fuel the Secretary of Transportation prescribes
by regulation that is not substantially petroleum and that
would yield substantial energy security and environmental
benefits.
(2) "alternative fueled automobile" means an automobile that is
a -
(A) dedicated automobile; or
(B) dual fueled automobile.
(3) except as provided in section 32908 of this title,
"automobile" means a 4-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by fuel,
or by alternative fuel, manufactured primarily for use on public
streets, roads, and highways (except a vehicle operated only on a
rail line), and rated at -
(A) not more than 6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight; or
(B) more than 6,000, but less than 10,000, pounds gross
vehicle weight, if the Secretary decides by regulation that -
(i) an average fuel economy standard under this chapter for
the vehicle is feasible; and
(ii) an average fuel economy standard under this chapter
for the vehicle will result in significant energy
conservation or the vehicle is substantially used for the
same purposes as a vehicle rated at not more than 6,000
pounds gross vehicle weight.
(4) "automobile manufactured by a manufacturer" includes every
automobile manufactured by a person that controls, is controlled
by, or is under common control with the manufacturer, but does
not include an automobile manufactured by the person that is
exported not later than 30 days after the end of the model year
in which the automobile is manufactured.
(5) "average fuel economy" means average fuel economy
determined under section 32904 of this title.
(6) "average fuel economy standard" means a performance
standard specifying a minimum level of average fuel economy
applicable to a manufacturer in a model year.
(7) "dedicated automobile" means an automobile that operates
only on alternative fuel.
(8) "dual fueled automobile" means an automobile that -
(A) is capable of operating on alternative fuel and on
gasoline or diesel fuel;
(B) provides equal or superior energy efficiency, as
calculated for the applicable model year during fuel economy
testing for the United States Government, when operating on
alternative fuel as when operating on gasoline or diesel fuel;
(C) for model years 1993-1995 for an automobile capable of
operating on a mixture of an alternative fuel and gasoline or
diesel fuel and if the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency decides to extend the application of this
subclause, for an additional period ending not later than the
end of the last model year to which section 32905(b) and (d) of
this title applies, provides equal or superior energy
efficiency, as calculated for the applicable model year during
fuel economy testing for the Government, when operating on a
mixture of alternative fuel and gasoline or diesel fuel
containing exactly 50 percent gasoline or diesel fuel as when
operating on gasoline or diesel fuel; and
(D) for a passenger automobile, meets or exceeds the minimum
driving range prescribed under subsection (c) of this section.
(9) "fuel" means -
(A) gasoline;
(B) diesel oil; or
(C) other liquid or gaseous fuel that the Secretary decides
by regulation to include in this definition as consistent with
the need of the United States to conserve energy.
(10) "fuel economy" means the average number of miles traveled
by an automobile for each gallon of gasoline (or equivalent
amount of other fuel) used, as determined by the Administrator
under section 32904(c) of this title.
(11) "import" means to import into the customs territory of the
United States.
(12) "manufacture" (except under section 32902(d) of this
title) means to produce or assemble in the customs territory of
the United States or to import.
(13) "manufacturer" means -
(A) a person engaged in the business of manufacturing
automobiles, including a predecessor or successor of the person
to the extent provided under regulations prescribed by the
Secretary; and
(B) if more than one person is the manufacturer of an
automobile, the person specified under regulations prescribed
by the Secretary.
(14) "model" means a class of automobiles as decided by
regulation by the Administrator after consulting and coordinating
with the Secretary.
(15) "model year", when referring to a specific calendar year,
means -
(A) the annual production period of a manufacturer, as
decided by the Administrator, that includes January 1 of that
calendar year; or
(B) that calendar year if the manufacturer does not have an
annual production period.
(16) "passenger automobile" means an automobile that the
Secretary decides by regulation is manufactured primarily for
transporting not more than 10 individuals, but does not include
an automobile capable of off-highway operation that the Secretary
decides by regulation -
(A) has a significant feature (except 4-wheel drive) designed
for off-highway operation; and
(B) is a 4-wheel drive automobile or is rated at more than
6,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
(b) Authority To Change Percentage. - The Secretary may prescribe
regulations changing the percentage referred to in subsection
(a)(1)(D) of this section to not less than 70 percent because of
requirements relating to cold start, safety, or vehicle functions.
(c) Minimum Driving Ranges for Dual Fueled Passenger Automobiles.
- (1) The Secretary shall prescribe by regulation the minimum
driving range that dual fueled automobiles that are passenger
automobiles must meet when operating on alternative fuel to be dual
fueled automobiles under sections 32905 and 32906 of this title. A
determination whether a dual fueled automobile meets the minimum
driving range requirement under this paragraph shall be based on
the combined Agency city/highway fuel economy as determined for
average fuel economy purposes for those automobiles.
(2)(A) The Secretary may prescribe a lower range for a specific
model than that prescribed under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
A manufacturer may petition for a lower range than that prescribed
under paragraph (1) for a specific model.
(B) The minimum driving range prescribed for dual fueled
automobiles (except electric automobiles) under subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph or paragraph (1) of this subsection must be at least
200 miles.
(C) If the Secretary prescribes a minimum driving range of 200
miles for dual fueled automobiles (except electric automobiles)
under paragraph (1) of this subsection, subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph does not apply to dual fueled automobiles (except
electric automobiles).
(3) In prescribing a minimum driving range under paragraph (1) of
this subsection and in taking an action under paragraph (2) of this
subsection, the Secretary shall consider the purpose set forth in
section 3 of the Alternative Motor Fuels Act of 1988 (Public Law
100-494, 102 Stat. 2442), consumer acceptability, economic
practicability, technology, environmental impact, safety,
drivability, performance, and other factors the Secretary considers
relevant.