Emissions standards are requirements that set specific limits to the amount of pollutants that can be released into the environment. Many emissions standards focus on regulating pollutants released by automobiles (motor cars) and other powered vehicles but they can also regulate emissions from industry, power plants, small equipment such as lawn mowers and diesel generators. Frequent policy alternatives to emissions standards are technology standards (which mandate the use of a specific technology) and emission trading.

Standards generally regulate the emissions of NO_x, sulfur oxides, particulate matter (PM) or soot, carbon monoxide (CO), or volatile hydrocarbons (see carbon dioxide equivalent).

Americas

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USA

Main article: US emission standard

In the United States, emissions standards are managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The state of California has special dispensation to promulgate more stringent vehicle emissions standards, and other states may choose to follow either the national or California standards.

"Tier 1" regulations went into effect starting in 1994, and "Tier 2" standards are being phased in from 2004 to 2009. Automobiles and light trucks (SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans) are treated differently under certain standards.

California is attempting to abolish greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, but faces a court challenge from the federal government. The states are also attempting to compel the federal EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, which as of 2007 it has declined to do.

The EPA has separate regulations for small engines, such as groundskeeping equipment. The states must also promulgate miscellaneous emissions regulations in order to comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Europe

European Union

Main article: European emission standards

The European Union has its own set of emissions standards that all new vehicles must meet. Currently, standards are set for all road vehicles, trains, barges and 'nonroad mobile machinery' (such as tractors). No standards apply to seagoing ships or airplanes. The emissions standards change based on the test cycle used: ECE R49 (old) and ESC (European Steady Cycle, since 2000).

Currently there are no standards for CO₂ emissions. The European Parliament has suggested introducing mandatory CO₂ emission standards¹ to replace current voluntary commitments by the auto manufacturers (see ACEA agreement) and labeling. In late 2005, the European Commission started working on a proposal for a new law to limit CO2 emissions from cars². The European Commission has received support of the European Parliament for its proposal to promote a broad market introduction of clean and energy efficient vehicles through public procurement ³ .

The EU is to introduce Euro 3 effective January 1st 2008, Euro 4 effective January 1st 2010 and Euro 5 effective January 1st 2014. These dates have been postponed for two years to give oil refineries the opportunity to modernize their plants.

Asia

China

Due to rapidly expanding wealth and prosperity, the number of coal power plants and cars on China's roads is rapidly growing, creating an ongoing pollution problem. China enacted its first emissions controls on automobiles in 2000, equivalent to Euro I standards. They were upgraded again in 2005 to Euro II. More stringent emission standard, National Standard III, equivalent to Euro III standards went into effect on July 1st 2007.⁴ Plans are for Euro IV standards to take effect in 2010. Beijing introduced the Euro IV standard in advance on January 1st 2008, became the first city in mainland China to adopt this standard.⁵

Hong Kong

Hong Kong emissions standards are totally independent from Chinese regulations.

From Jan 1, 2006, all new passenger cars with spark-ignition engines in Hong Kong must meet either Euro IV petrol standard, Japanese Heisei 17 standard or US EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 standard. For new passenger cars with compression-ignition engines, they must meet US EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 standard.

India

Background

The first Indian emission regulations were idle emission limits which became effective in 1989. These idle emission regulations were soon replaced by mass emission limits for both gasoline (1991) and diesel (1992) vehicles, which were gradually tightened during the 1990’s. Since the year 2000, India started adopting European emission and fuel regulations for four-wheeled light-duty and for heavy-dc. Indian own emission regulations still apply to two- and three-wheeled vehicles.

On October 6, 2003, the National Auto Fuel Policy has been announced, which envisages a phased program for introducing Euro 2 - 4 emission and fuel regulations by 2010. The implementation schedule of EU emission standards in India is summarized in Table 1.⁶

The above standards apply to all new 4-wheel vehicles sold and registered in the respective regions. In addition, the National Auto Fuel Policy introduces certain emission requirements for interstate buses with routes originating or terminating in Delhi or the other 10 cities.

For 2-and 3-wheelers, Bharat Stage II (Euro 2) will be applicable from April 1, 2005 and Stage III (Euro 3) standards would come in force preferably from April 1, 2008, but not later than April 1, 2010. [1]

Trucks and Buses

Emission standards for new heavy-duty diesel engines—applicable to vehicles of GVW > 3,500 kg—are listed in Table 1. Emissions are tested over the ECE R49 13-mode test (through the Euro II stage)

More details on Euro I-III regulations can be found in the EU heavy-duty engine standards page.

Light duty diesel vehicles

Emission standards for light-duty diesel vehicles (GVW ≤ 3,500 kg) are summarized in Table 3. Ranges of emission limits refer to different classes (by reference mass) of light commercial vehicles; compare the EU light-duty vehicle emission standards page for details on the Euro 1 and later standards. The lowest limit in each range applies to passenger cars (GVW ≤ 2,500 kg; up to 6 seats).

The test cycle has been the ECE + EUDC for low power vehicles (with maximum speed limited to 90 km/h). Before 2000, emissions were measured over an Indian test cycle.

Engines for use in light-duty vehicles can be also emission tested using an engine dynamometer. The respective emission standards are listed in Table 4.

Light duty gasoline vehicles

4-wheel vehicles

Emissions standards for gasoline vehicles (GVW ≤ 3,500 kg) are summarized in Table 5. Ranges of emission limits refer to different classes of light commercial vehicles (compare the EU light-duty vehicle emission standards page). The lowest limit in each range applies to passenger cars (GVW ≤ 2,500 kg; up to 6 seats).

Gasoline vehicles must also meet an evaporative (SHED) limit of 2 g/test (effective 2000).

3- and 2-wheel vehicles

Emission standards for 3- and 2-wheel gasoline vehicles are listed in the following tables. [2]

Overview of the emission norms in India

• 1991 - Idle CO Limits for Gasoline Vehicles and Free Acceleration Smoke for Diesel Vehicles, Mass Emission Norms for Gasoline Vehicles.

• 1992 - Mass Emission Norms for Diesel Vehicles.

• 1996 - Revision of Mass Emission Norms for Gasoline and Diesel Vehicles, mandatory fitment of Catalytic Converter for Cars in Metros on Unleaded Gasoline.

• 1998 - Cold Start Norms Introduced.

• 2000 - India 2000 (Eq. to Euro I) Norms, Modified IDC (Indian Driving Cycle), Bharat Stage II Norms for Delhi.

• 2001 - Bharat Stage II (Eq. to Euro II) Norms for All Metros, Emission Norms for CNG & LPG Vehicles.

• 2003 - Bharat Stage II (Eq. to Euro II) Norms for 11 major cities.

• 2005 - From 1st April Bharat Stage III (Eq. to Euro III) Norms for 11 major cities.

• 2010 - Bharat Stage III Emission Norms for 4-wheelers for entire country whereas Bharat Stage - IV (Eq. to Euro IV) for 11 major cities.

Japan

Background

In 1992, to cope with NOx pollution problems from existing vehicle fleets in highly populated metropolitan areas, the Ministry of the Environment adopted the “Law Concerning Special Measures to Reduce the Total Amount of Nitrogen Oxides Emitted from Motor Vehicles in Specified Areas”, called in short The Motor Vehicle NOx Law. The regulation designated a total of 196 communities in the Tokyo, Saitama, Kanagawa, Osaka and Hyogo Prefectures as areas with significant air pollution due to nitrogen oxides emitted from motor vehicles. Under the Law, several measures had to be taken to control NOx from in-use vehicles, including enforcing emission standards for specified vehicle categories.

The regulation was amended in June 2001 to tighten the existing NOx requirements and to add PM control provisions. The amended rule is called the “Law Concerning Special Measures to Reduce the Total Amount of Nitrogen Oxides and Particulate Matter Emitted from Motor Vehicles in Specified Areas”, or in short the Automotive NOx and PM Law.

The amended regulation became effective starting in October 2002. Emission Standards

The NOx and PM Law introduces emission standards for specified categories of in-use highway vehicles including commercial goods (cargo) vehicles such as trucks and vans, buses, and special purpose motor vehicles, irrespective of the fuel type. The regulation also applies to diesel powered passenger cars (but not to gasoline cars).

In-use vehicles in the specified categories must meet 1997/98 emission standards for the respective new vehicle type (in the case of heavy duty engines NOx = 4.5 g/kWh, PM = 0.25 g/kWh). In other words, the 1997/98 new vehicle standards are retroactively applied to older vehicles already on the road. Vehicle owners have two methods to comply:

1. Replace old vehicles with newer, cleaner models
2. Retrofit old vehicles with approved NOx and PM control devices

Vehicles have a grace period, between 9 and 12 years from the initial registration, to comply. The grace period depends on the vehicle type, as follows:

• Light commercial vehicles (GVW ≤ 2500 kg): 8 years
• Heavy commercial vehicles (GVW > 2500 kg): 9 years
• Micro buses (11-29 seats): 10 years
• Large buses (≥ 30 seats): 12 years
• Special vehicles (based on a cargo truck or bus): 10 years
• Diesel passenger cars: 9 years

Furthermore, the regulation allows to postpone its requirements by an additional 0.5-2.5 years, depending on the age of the vehicle. This delay was introduced in part to harmonize the NOx and PM Law with the Tokyo diesel retrofit program.

The NOx and PM Law is enforced in connection with Japanese vehicle inspection program, where non-complying vehicles cannot undergo the inspection in the designated areas. This, in turn, may trigger an injunction on the vehicle operation under the Road Transport Vehicle Law.

Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (June 2008)

Africa

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Due to the depressing state of affairs and lack of unity in the continent of Africa, there are no set emission standards to be recorded here.

See also

• Air pollution
• Automobile emissions control
• Biofuel
• Bivalent (engine)
• Carbon dioxide equivalent
• Engine test stand
• Emission factor
• Emission test cycle
• Emissions trading
• Environmental standard
• European emission standards
• Flexible-fuel vehicle
• Fuel efficiency
• Global warming
• Global warming potential
• Kyoto protocol
• List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions
• Mobile Emission Reduction Credit (MERC)
• National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
• SmartWay Transport Partnership
• Ultra-low sulfur diesel
• Vehicle acronyms and abbreviations.

References

1. ^ European Parliament resolution on "Winning the Battle Against Global Climate Change", 16 November 2005
2. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061103/sc_afp/eutransportauto_061103190746
3. ^ http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1570&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
4. ^ http://english.cri.cn/2946/2007/07/02/176@244647.htm China Launches Tougher Auto Emission Standard
5. ^ http://www.automotiveworld.com/AEM/content.asp?contentid=65589 China: Beijing launches Euro 4 standards
6. ^ Vehicular Technology in India | Emission Norms - SIAM India

External links

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

California AB 1493

• Dieselnet pages on vehicle emission standards.
• US EPA Vehicle Environmental Performance Score SpecificationsPDF (26.5 KiB).
• EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory.
• EPA Clean Air Technology Center.
• Emission Standards Reference GuidePDF (141 KiB) for heavy duty and nonroad engines.
• http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
• Federal Income Tax Credits for Hybrids placed in service.
• http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming
• Environmental health news.
• Automaker Rankings 2007: The Environmental Performance of Car Companies

EU

• DIRECTIVE 1999/94/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 13 December 1999, relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger carsPDF (140 KiB).
• Council Directive 80/1268/EEC Fuel consumption of motor vehicles.