Vehicle Standards and Regulations
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Search the Document Index System (DIS) database to find:
- Advisory Circulars
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This Web page provides links to standards and regulations for controlling air pollution from cars and light trucks.
Federal and California Exhaust and Evaporative Emission Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks is a one-stop resource that combines Federal and California emission standards and compares them with implementation rates.
The Tier 2 Program sets the standards for tailpipe emissions for all passenger vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs, minivans, vans, and pick-up trucks, beginning in 2004. The Tier 2 Program also requires reduced levels of sulfur in gasoline.
The National Low Emission Vehicle Program is a voluntary program which demonstrates how cooperative, partnership efforts can produce a smarter, cheaper program that reduces regulatory burden while increasing protection of the environment and public health.
Test Procedures for Testing Highway and Nonroad Engines and Omnibus Technical Amendments
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.
CAP 2000 (Compliance Assurance Program)
Emissions Durability Procedures for New Light-Duty Vehicles, Light-Duty Trucks, and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
- Fact Sheet: Final Rule for Emissions Durability Test Procedures (PDF) (2 pp, 33K, EPA420-F-05-061, December 2005)
- Final Rule (PDF) (34 pp, 575K)
Component Durability Procedures for New Light-Duty Vehicles, Light-Duty Trucks and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
- Fact Sheet: Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Component Durability Procedures for New Light-Duty Vehicles, Light-Duty Trucks and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (PDF) (2 pp, 33K, EPA420-F-05-062, December 2005)
- Proposed Rule (PDF) (13 pp, 77K)
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.
- Fact Sheet: Proposed Rule for Emissions Durability Test Procedures (PDF) (3 pp, 104K, EPA420-F-04-013, January 2004)
- Preamble and Regulations (PDF) (38 pp, 592K)
- Technical Support Document (PDF) (5 pp, 30K)
- Attachments (PDF) (152 pp, 7.3MB)
Contact: Linda Hormes (734-214-4502) Email: 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) (1 pg, 58K)
- EPA Response Document to Ethyl Petitions (PDF) (88 pp, 116K)
On December 17, 1999, EPA published Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles; Compliance Programs for New Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks 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, Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles; Compliance Programs for New Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks, requesting comments on the Ethyl petition to reconsider the CAP 2000 regulation.
Petition for Reconsideration of the CAP 2000 Rule (PDF) (9 pp, 601K) This petition was filed before EPA Administrator 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: Compliance Assurance Program (CAP 2000) Final Rule (PDF) (3 pp, 13K, EPA420-F-99-005, March 1999)
- Final Rule (PDF) (72 pp, 565K)
Contact: Linda Hormes (734-214-4502) Email: hormes.linda@epa.gov
Guidance document and workshop: An EPA guidance document discussing the implementation of CAP 2000 is available, CAP 2000 Implementation: Guidance Documents and Workshop (PDF, 32 pages, 654K)
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: Proposed Compliance Assurance Program (CAP 2000) (PDF) (3 pp, 13K)
- Preamble (PDF) (28 pp, 231K)
- Note: 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.
- Technical Support Document (TXT, 2K)
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)
- Decision Document (PDF) (23 pp, 47K)
California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Waiver of Federal Preemption -- Notice of Waiver Decision and Within the Scope Determinations
- Federal Register Notice (published August 5, 1990)
- Decision Document for 8/5/99 Preemption Waiver Notice (PDF) (49 pp, 138K)
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 (published September 5, 1997)
- Notice of Proposed Rule
3-Wheel Vehicles - Control of Air Pollution From Motor Vehicles and New Motor Vehicle Engines; Increase of the Vehicle Mass for 3-Wheeled Motorcycles
- Final Rule (PDF) (4 pp, 42K)
- Notice of Proposed Rule
- Notice (TXT, 1K)
Extension of Interim Revised Durability Procedures for Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks
10 Gallon Per Minute Fuel Dispenser Flow Rate Regulation
- Fact Sheet: THE EPA 10 GALLON PER MINUTE FUEL DISPENSING LIMIT (TXT, 6K, July 1996)
- Direct Final Rule
- Proposed Rule
Vehicle Import Amendments
- Final Rule (PDF) (5 pp, 40K)
- Press Release (TXT, 1K)
Evaporative and Refueling Emission Technical Amendments
- Final Rule (PDF) (29 pp, 246K)
Control of Air Pollution From New and In-Use Motor Vehicles and New and In-Use Motor Vehicle Engines; Technical Amendments to the Test Procedures for Methanol-Fueled Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines and Petroleum-Fueled Motor Vehicles
Interim Regulations for Cold Temperature Carbon Monoxide Emissions from 1994 and Later Model Year Gasoline-fueled Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks
- Final Rule (PDF) (59 pp, 98K)
- Regulation (PDF) (155 pp, 217K)