Safety Standards Guidelines Announced in Japan for Converted EVs

The Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (APEV) announced on April 27, 2011, new safety standards for converted EVs, the "EV Conversion Guidelines." A converted EV is an EV converted from a gasoline car by removing and replacing its engine and gasoline tank with motors and batteries. Details of the guidelines are posted on APEV's website.

APEV was established on June 29, 2010, with the aim to promote widespread use of EVs. The organization has a membership comprising approximately 130 companies, 50 associations, and 70 individuals as of April 2011. For its initial project, APEV member companies and associations (including municipalities) compiled the guidelines through a number of discussions with the Kanto District Transport Bureau, National Agency of Vehicle Inspection, and Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization.

The guidelines prescribe safety measures for preventing electric shock and electrical fires, preventing unintended acceleration, ensuring strength, securing travel performance and travel performance reliability, and gaining performance control.

APEV will call on its members to abide by the safety standards as voluntary controls and will make efforts to improve their specificity. They will also work with foreign organizations that are compiling similar safety standards to promote activities aimed at creating global standards.

Posted: 2011/08/18 06:00:15 AM