Cars and Light Trucks

This page provides information about controlling emissions from passenger cars and light trucks. This includes consumer information, vehicle standards and regulations, certification and compliance, fuel economy, and test data.

NOTE: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, available as a free download, to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more about PDF, and for a link to the free Acrobat Reader.

Consumer Information

Green Racing Initiative | PDF Version (4 pp, 190K, October 2008, EPA420-F-08-031)
Automobile Emissions: An Overview (PDF) (86K, August 1994, EPA400-F-92-007)
Automobiles and Carbon Monoxide (PDF) (23K, January 1998, EPA400-F-92-005)
Automobiles and Ozone (PDF) (65K, January 1993, EPA400-F-92-006)
Motor Vehicles and the 1990 Clean Air Act (PDF) (37K, August 1994, EPA400-F-92-013)
Milestones in Auto Emissions Control (PDF) (65K, August 1994, EPA400-F-92-014)
Tips to Save Gas and Improve Mileage (PDF) (20K, August 1994, EPA420-F-92-004)
Your Car and Clean Air: What YOU Can Do to Reduce Pollution (PDF) (69K August 1994, EPA420-F-93-002)
Do You Drive a 1996 or Newer Car or Light Truck? (PDF) (444K, August 2002, EPA420-F-02-016)
On-Board Diagnostics: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) (39K, August 2002, EPA420-F-02-014)
Emission Warranty Info: If you just failed an emissions test
- 1981-1994 Model Year
- 1995 and Newer Model Years

Regulations & Related Documents

High Occupancy Vehicle Exemption Proposed Rule (published May 24, 2007)

The 2005 transportation act known as "SAFETEA-LU" directs EPA to advise states on defining low emission and energy efficient vehicles that may use an HOV lane with fewer than the required number of occupants. This action guides states that seek an exemption from existing HOV requirements for vehicles certified as "low emission and energy efficient." Congress has authorized such exemptions through September 30, 2009.

EPA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would establish criteria for exemptions to the current HOV lane requirements. EPA has established a public docket for this action (Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2005 0173). To view the docket, go to www.regulations.gov. (NOTE: To access the docket from this link, select Advanced Search, then Docket Search, and then type EPA-HQ-OAR-2005 0173 as the Docket ID.)

Fact Sheet (Also available as a PDF file, 3 pp, 99K, EPA420-F-07-042, May 2007)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: SAFETEA-LU High Occupancy Vehicle Facilities Exemption Rule
Technical Support Document (PDF) (45 pp, 480K, EPA420-D-07-005, May 2007)
Draft List of Eligible Low Emission and Energy-Efficient Vehicles Using the Hybrid-to-Gasoline Vehicle Comparsion Methodology as of May 15, 2007 (83K PDF, 3 pages)

Holly Pugliese

The U.S. Department of Transportation is responsible for oversight of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. For more information, please visit DOT's HOV web site at http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freewaymgmt/hov.htm

Test Procedures

Final Technical Amendments – Procedures for Testing Highway and Nonroad Engines and Omnibus Technical Amendments (published July 13, 2005)

Fact Sheet: Regulatory Announcement: Changed Test Procedures for Nonroad Engines and Heavy-Duty Highway Engines (also available as a PDF file, 4 pp, 134K, EPA420-F-05-036, July 2005)
Federal Register Notice: Entire Document (also available as a PDF file, 194 pp, 7.4MB)
- Preamble and 40 CFR Parts 85-94 (PDF), pages 40419-40462 (43 pp, 762K)
- 40 CFR Parts 1039, 1048, 1051, and 1068 (PDF), pages 40462-40516 (55 pp, 986K)
- 40 CFR Part 1065 (PDF), pages 40516-40612 (97 pp, 8.6MB)
Technical Support Document and Summary & Analysis of Comments (PDF) (115 pp, 1663K, EPA420-R-05-008, June 2005)

Proposed Technical Amendments - Test Procedures for Testing Highway and Nonroad Engines and Omnibus Technical Amendments (published September 10, 2004)

Fact Sheet: Proposed Changes to Test Procedures for Nonroad Engines and Heavy-Duty Highway Engines (EPA420-F-04-046, August 2004) 104K PDF (3 pages)
Federal Register Notice: Test Procedures for Testing Highway and Nonroad Engines and Omnibus Technical Amendments
- Entire Document (171 pp, 1.8MB)
  - Part A: Pages 54845-54894 (also available as a PDF, 292K)
  - Part B: Pages 54895-54944 (also available as a PDF, 460K)
  - Part C: Pages 54945-54994 (also available as a PDF, 772K)
  - Part D: Pages 54995-55015 (also available as a PDF, 348K)
Technical Support Document: Test Procedures for Highway and Nonroad Engines and Omnibus Technical Amendments (PDF) (70 pp, 808K, EPA420-D-04-004, August 2004)

CAP 2000 (Compliance Assurance Program)

Final Rule and Supplemental Notice for Durability Procedures for New Light-Duty Vehicles, Light-Duty Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
- Final Rule: Emission Durability Procedures for New Light-Duty Vehicles, Light-Duty Trucks and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (signed December 29, 2005)
  - Final Rule (also available as a PDF, 156 pp, 575K, published January 17, 2006)
  - Fact Sheet: Final Rule for Emissions Durability Test Procedures (PDF) (3 pp, 33K, EPA420-F-05-061, December 2005)
  More information about Durability.
- Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rule: Component Durability Procedures for New Light-Duty Vehicles, Light-Duty Trucks and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (signed December 29, 2005)*
On March 16, 2004, the EPA Administrator signed a proposed regulation that instructs automotive manufacturers how to conduct the durability procedures used to predict the useful life emissions of new vehicles. This rulemaking fulfills a court mandate issued on October 22, 2002, by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that ordered EPA to issue new emissions durability regulations. The following documents relate to the durability proposed rulemaking. Please note that the Preamble and Regulations have not yet been published in the Federal Register, and are subject to editorial changes by the Federal Register office.
- Proposed Preamble and Regulations (PDF) (190 pp, 415K)
- Proposed Technical Support Document (PDF) (5 pp, 30K) and Attachments (PDF) (152 pp, 7.3MB)
- EPA Fact Sheet (3 pp, 104K)
Contact: Linda Hormes (734-214-4502) hormes.linda@epa.gov

On August 23, 2001 the Administrator issued a denial to the Ethyl Corporation's request to reconsider the CAP 2000 regulation. The Administrator has also denied two other Ethyl petitions to reconsider a Heavy Duty gasoline rule and an OBD/IM rule. The denial document and the cover letter from the Administrator to Kevin Fast, Counsel for Ethyl Corp. are available below:
- Cover Letter (PDF) (58K)
- EPA Response Document to Ethyl Petitions (PDF) (116K)
These and other documents relating to this petition may also be found at EPA's Air Docket #A-96-50, Room M-1500 (mail code 6102), 401 M St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20460. The docket is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. weekdays. The docket may also be reached by telephone at (202) 260-7548. As provided in 40 CFR Part 2, a reasonable fee may be charged by EPA for photocopying.
On December 17, 1999, EPA published a Federal Register Notice extending the comment period for accepting comments on the Ethyl petition regarding CAP 2000 to January 14, 2000.

On November 5, 1999, EPA published a notice in the Federal Register requesting comments on the Ethyl petition to reconsider the CAP 2000 regulation. Comments must be submitted by December 20, 1999 to EPA's Air Docket number A-96-50, Room M-1500, 401 M Street SW, Washington DC 20460.

Petition for Reconsideration of the CAP 2000 Rule (PDF) (601K). This petition was filed before EPA Administrator Carol Browner by the Ethyl Corporation in August, 1999. Other documents relating to this petition may be found at EPA's Air Docket #A-96-50, Room M-1500 (mail code 6102), 401 M St. SW, Washington, DC 20460. The docket is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. weekdays. The docket may also be reached by telephone at (202) 260-7548. As provided in 40 CFR part 2, a reasonable fee may be charged by EPA for photocopying.

CAP 2000 Final Rule was published in the Federal register on May 4, 1999.
- Fact Sheet (PDF) (13K, March 1999, EPA420-F-99-005)
- Final Rule (PDF) (575K)
Contact: Linda Hormes (734-214-4502) hormes.linda@epa.gov

Guidance document and workshop (PDF) NOTE DATE CORRECTION An EPA guidance document discussing the implementation of CAP 2000. This document also announces an informal workshop on Tuesday, May 18th kicking off the implementation of CAP 2000. A map (PDF) to the workshop is provided here.

Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles; Compliance programs for new light-duty vehicles and light-duty trucks. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, signed 7/15/98
- Fact Sheet (PDF) (13K)
- Summary
- Preamble (PDF) (210K)
- Regulations (PDF) (350K)
- Correction to "CAP 2000" Preamble:
  Please note that in section IV.B of the CAP 2000 Preamble (Public Participation-Public Hearing) the docket number given is incorrect. The correct docket number is "A-96-50" (rather than A-96-32). Please refer to docket A-96-50 when submitting comments regarding the CAP 2000 proposal.

Other Files

California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Waiver of Federal Preemption - Notice of Within the Scope Determination (Zero Emission Vehicle Requirement) (Signed January 18, 2001)
- Federal Register Notice (Published January 25, 2001)
- January 18, 2001 Decision Document (PDF) for above Notice (47K)

California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Waiver of Federal Preemption -- Notice of Waiver Decision and Within the Scope Determinations
- Federal Register: August 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 150) [Page 42689-42692] Notice regarding waiver of federal preemption and within the scope determinations. [Read Now]
- July 28, 1999 Decision Document for 8/5/99 Preemption Waiver Notice (PDF) (138K)
September 5, 1997 Rule Amending the Test Procedures for Heavy-duty Engines, and Light-Duty Vehicles and Trucks and the Amending of Emission Standard Provisions for Gaseous Fueled Vehicles and Engines:
Direct Final Rule and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
Contact: Mr. Jaime Pagan (734-214-4574) fax: (734-214-4816) or email: pagan.jaime@epa.gov

3-Wheel Vehicles:
- Federal Register: March 11, 1998 [Page 11847-11850] Final Rule: Control of Air Pollution From Motor Vehicles and New Motor Vehicle Engines; Increase of the Vehicle Mass for 3-Wheeled Motorcycles [Read Now]
- Cancellation of 7/3/97 Public Hearing
- 6/3/97 Proposed Rule to change the regulatory definition of a motorcycle to include 3-wheeled vehicles weighing up to 1749 pounds
10 Gallon Per Minute Fuel Dispenser Flow Rate Regulation
2/14/96 Vehicle Import Amendments to Final Rule (PDF) (40K) (readable tables) or [30K TXT] (unreadable tables)
August 23, 1995 Evaporative and Refueling Emission Technical Amendments, Final Rule (also available as a PDF file)
June 30, 1995 Technical Amendments to the Test Procedures for Methanol-Fueled Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines and Petroleum-Fueled Motor Vehicles, Final Rule
May 1996 Press Release: Hyundai high altitude cars recalled for emission repair
July 17, 1992 (57 FR 31888) Interim Regulations for Cold Temperature Carbon Monoxide Emissions from 1994 and Later Model Year Gasoline-fueled Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks
- Preamble (PDF) (98K)
- Regulation (PDF) (217K)

EPA Links

External Links

National Center for Vehicle Emissions Control and Safety (NCVECS)
Colorado State University
This Web site provides information about NCVECS as well as topics and issues related to mobile sources. Topics covered include: light-duty vehicle emissions research, on-board diagnostics II, automotive emissions repair tips, automotive technician training issues, and basic and enhanced inspection/maintenance program issues.
Best Workplaces for Commuters
The Best Workplaces for Commuters program was established by EPA and DOT and is now administered by the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), to recognize employers who voluntarily meet the National Standard of Excellence in employer-provided commuter benefits. Providing commuter benefits helps employers address limited or expensive parking, reduce traffic congestion, improve employer recruiting and retention, and minimize the environmental impacts associated with drive-alone commuting. The Web site provides information on the program for employers, employees, supporters, and commuters.
Mobile Source Program
California Air Resources Board (CARB)
This Web page provides links to information on numerous topics related to reducing pollution from cars and light trucks, including: a buyer's guide to cleaner cars, the California Motor Vehicle Service Information Program, carpool lane access, the Emission Inventory Program, evaporative emission controls, in-use testing of motor vehicles, and the smoking vehicles hotline.

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