Vehicle weight listings - EPA reports

[chewbaca]

If you're considering an EV conversion from a vehicle you intend to purchase used, you might wonder, much does it weigh? I asked the EPA via an online form on one of their Web pages. Here's what they ended up replying. I think it might be useful. Take it as you like...


The files on this page  http://www.epa.gov/otaq/crttst.htm  have the
data that you seek, except the weight is expressed as ETW rather than
vehicle curb weight .

This document shows this.

       Certified Vehicle Test Result Report Content Description (PDF) (2
       pp, 48K, November 4, 2004)



http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/veh-cert/cert-tst/05format.pdf

Rather than curb weight, the files show ETW or Design Equivalent Test
Weight.  This weight has a relationship to curb weight.

You can study this relationship in the Code of Federal Regulations,
Title 40, Part 86.094-2, Part 86.129-00, Part 86.129-94 (f)(1) , and
Part 86.129-80 (a)

This URL should take you to the most relevant part for the explanation
of the relationship.,
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2008/julqtr/pdf/40cfr86.129-00.pdf

Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.


Kirk Nims, Librarian (Contractor)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Vehicle & Fuel Emissions Laboratory Library
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Phone - (734) 214-4434
Fax - (734) 214-4525
Email - nims.kirk@epa.gov
http://www.epa.gov/otaq

[Jim]

Well, I suppose that could be helpful if one knows the actual weight of at least one vehicle, and then uses the governments ETV numbers to get a comparison. For example, if a VW weighs 2000 pounds and has an ETV number of 50 (I have no idea what ETV numbers look like), then some other vehicle with an ETV number of 65 would weigh more than the VW - and another vehicle with an ETV number of 51 would weigh pretty close to the VW weight. I wonder if the ETV numbers are based only on weight. If so, perhaps a ratio of pounds to ETV could be calculated.

[chewbaca]

Good catch. Seems on second look that only since 1997 has the EPA's estimated test weight (ETW) begun to list car weight using a realistic number in pounds. For example, the 2009 Yaris, the ETW is listed as 2625 pounds.