Fuels

Fuel type and quality can have a major impact on both direct mobile source emissions and the performance of vehicle emission control technology. Many emission control programs, therefore, focus specifically on fuels. Here are some examples:

Progressively stricter rules for gasoline and diesel fuel quality reduce emissions and enable the use of sensitive emission control technology. Removing lead from gasoline, for example, ensures that cars no longer release hazardous lead emissions and allows cars to use catalytic converters (which do not work with leaded gasoline). Catalytic converters greatly reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and nitrogen oxide emissions.
Efforts are in progress to reduce the amount of sulfur allowed in both gasoline and diesel fuel. Other fuel improvements include limits on gasoline benzene levels and fuel volatility (the tendency of gasoline to evaporate).
Programs to encourage the use of electric vehicles and non-petroleum fuels such as alcohols and natural gas are helping to introduce these cleaner-burning alternatives.

Learn more about EPA fuel programs

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Fuels

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