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Extension of Temporary Exhaust Emission Test Procedure Option for All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

EPA420-F-07-022, April 2007
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is publishing a Direct Final Rule to allow ATV manufacturers up to six additional years to use the alternative steady-state test procedure and associated standards.

Overview

In a rule published November 8, 2002, EPA issued new emission standards for recreational vehicles beginning in model year 2006.  In that rulemaking, a provision was included temporarily allowing manufacturers to test all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) over a steady-state, engine-based, duty cycle for exhaust emissions. EPA stated that it would work with industry to assess the need and potentially develop a new test procedure for ATVs. 

Manufacturers involved in this test procedure development effort chose to postpone investing in the chassis dynamometer testing facilities needed for the primary test procedures under the 2002 rulemaking. They had hoped that they could use their current facilities in a newly developed alternative cycle.

However, despite extensive discussions and research with industry for several years, no consensus was achieved on a new test procedure.  Thus, EPA believes it is time to close deliberations on developing a new emissions test cycle, leaving in place the current standards and test procedures. 

The purpose of this direct final rule is to give industry an appropriate amount of lead time to complete investments and make the full transition to chassis dynamometer testing facilities. This rule extends the availability of a temporary optional test procedure, and associated standards for up to six years in some cases.  Specifically, manufacturers would have to certify engine families representing at least 50 percent of their production on the Federal Test Procedure in model year 2014 and 100 percent in 2015. 

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Public Participation Opportunities

This rule is being released as a direct final rule because we view it as a non-controversial action and anticipate no adverse comment. However, comments can be submitted under a parallel Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Comments will be accepted for 30 days beginning when the NPRM is published in the Federal Register. All comments should be identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0858 and submitted by one of the following methods:

A public hearing will also be held in Seattle, Washington, and Chicago, Illinois, after publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register. Additional information about the hearing will be printed in the Federal Register.

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For More Information

You can access the rule and related documents on EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ) Web site at:

www.epa.gov/otaq/recveh.htm

For more information on this Direct Final Rule, please contact the Assessment and Standards Division at:

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