Tools & Resources
Regulatory Standards
EPA is devoting significant efforts to ensuring the successful implementation of cleaner standards for diesel fuel and new diesel engines. These standards are the critical foundation of EPA’s diesel control program.
Beginning June 1, 2006, refiners began producing ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel with sulfur levels at or below 15 parts per million (ppm) for use in heavy duty highway diesel engines. Nonroad diesel engines were required to use low sulfur (500 ppm) diesel fuel beginning in 2007 and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel beginning in 2010.
Locomotives and smaller marine engines required low sulfur (500 ppm) diesel fuel beginning in 2007 and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel beginning in 2012. In addition, emission standard for large commercial marine diesel vessels like cruise and container ships will be phased in beginning in 2011.
In addition to reducing emissions from existing diesel fleets, these cleaner fuels enable the use of advanced after-treatment technologies on new engines. Technologies like particulate traps, capable of emission reductions of 90% and more, are required under new standards which began phasing in for the highway sector in 2007, and will begin taking effect in the nonroad sector in 2010.
These programs will yield enormous long-term benefits for public health and the environment. By 2030, when the engine fleet has been fully turned over, particulate matter (PM) and nitrous oxides (NOx) will be reduced by 380,000 tons/year and 7 million tons/year, respectively. This will result in annual benefits of over $290 billion, at a cost of approximately $15 billion.
Together these programs will yield enormous long-term benefits for public health and the environment. Learn more about the heavy duty diesel engine and fuel regulatory programs and emissions standards.