United States Air and Radiation EPA420-F-96-012
Environmental Protection August 1996
Agency
Office of Mobile Sources
vvEPA Environmental
Fact Sheet
Emission Standards for New
Gasoline Marine Engines
Working cooperatively with the marine industry, the Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing regulations that will
bring forth a new generation of marine engines featuring
cleaner technology and providing better engine performance
to boat owners. Controlling exhaust emissions from new
gasoline spark-ignition (SI) marine engines will result in an
unprecedented 75 percent reduction in hydrocarbon (HC)
emissions from these engines by the year 2025.
Emissions from Marine Engines
Because states are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the
quality of air citizens have come to need and expect, efforts to
improve air quality throughout the nation are shifting focus to
controlling pollution from sources other than on-highway vehicles
and engines. Until recently, emissions from nonroad engines and
vehicles have been essentially uncontrolled. The results of a study
conducted by EPA, however, proved the need for control of air
pollution to reach into the nonroad engine and vehicle arena.
Of nonroad sources, EPA has determined that gasoline marine
engines are one of the largest average contributors of HC emissions.
As illustrated in Figure 1, of all categories of nonroad engines,
recreational marine engines contribute the second highest average
level of HC exhaust emissions. Only small gasoline engines used in
lawn and garden equipment emit higher levels on average.
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The statistics in Figure 1, however,
include some areas in which marine
engines are not in use because there are
no nearby lakes or waters. Marine
engines contribute higher levels than
reflected by this average for areas in
which marine engines are used.
Depending on the specific area, the
contribution may be in excess often
percent of the total HC inventory, not
just of nonroad sources.
New Emission Standards
Established
The gasoline marine final rule, published
in August 1996, establishes emission
standards for new SI gasoline marine
engines. Covered by the rule are
outboard engines and gasoline marine
engines used in personal watercraft and
jet boat applications.
Recreationa
Marine Engines
30%
Other Nonroad
Engines
Small Spark-
Ignition Engines
50%
Figure 1 - Nonroad Sources of Hydrocarbons
Nonroad sources as a whole on average
contribute ten percent to average HC
inventories. HC contributes to ground
level ozone which is known to cause
irritation to the respiratory system.
Controlling emissions from these
engines will help reduce adverse health
and welfare impacts associated with
ozone.
Emission standards are not set for
sterndrive and inboard engines due to the
inherently clean nature that the
technology of these engines provide.
Manufacturers may begin introducing
these new, clean technology engines as
early as 1997. Boat engines currently na-
me are not affected by this regulation.
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Cleaner and Better
Performing Engines
The new generation of outboard and
personal watercraft (OB/PWC) marine
engines will be over 75 percent cleaner
than current marine engine technology.
That is, once the program is fully
implemented, hydrocarbon emissions
from these engines are expected to be
reduced by over 75 percent from present
levels. Since the reduction in the
inventory depends on sales of these
newer technology engines, EPA expects
to achieve this reduction in HC
emissions from marine engines by the
year 2025. EPA expects a 50 percent
reduction to occur by the year 2020.
In addition to being more environmen-
tally friendly, the new OB/PWC engine
technology will provide boaters with
many performance advantages. The
engines will generally provide easier
starting, faster acceleration, quicker
throttle response, and a reduction in
smoke, fumes and noise. Significant
improvements in fuel economy could
provide hundreds of dollars in fuel
savings. Furthermore, the new fuel
systems and engine designs will relieve
boaters from the hassle of mixing fuel
and oil. As an added benefit to the boat
owner, the emissions performance of
these new OB/PWC marine engines will
be covered by a three-year or 200 hour
warranty, more than double the warranty
currently provided by most engine
manufacturers.
Flexibility Provided to Engine
Manufacturers
With the cooperative efforts of marine
engine manufacturers, EPA has
developed regulations that are not overly
burdensome or costly to manufacturers
or consumers, while still achieving the
overall pollution reduction goals of the
program. This regulation requires
manufacturers of OB/PWC marine
engines to achieve the appropriate yearly
emission reductions by meeting a
corporate average emission standard
which allows them to build some
engines to emission levels lower than the
emission standard and some engines to
emission levels higher than the standard,
provided the manufacturer's overall
corporate average is at or below the
standard.
Manufacturers have the flexibility to
develop their own technological
solutions to achieve these results based
on market demand. The result will be a
wide range of new products that this
regulation will encourage. Likely
options for achieving compliance
include converting current OB/PWC 2-
stroke engine technology to 4-stroke,
direct-injection 2-stroke, or possibly
equipping engines with catalytic
converters in some applications.
Responsibility of Current and
Future Boat Owners
Boat owners are in no way responsible
for making modifications to their current
engines to meet the standards or subject
to any penalties as a result of this rule.
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Boaters can actively participate in
controlling air pollution from these
sources, however, by adopting a few
simple practices. These practices include
operating only well maintained boats,
limiting full throttle operation,
eliminating unnecessary idling,
following recommended maintenance
schedules, eliminating spillage when
refueling, and properly measuring fuel
and oil if required for a particular
engine. In addition to practicing
environmentally friendly operating
procedures, EPA encourages consumers
to do their part in preventing pollution
by purchasing the cleaner technology
engines.
EPA anticipates the price of the new
technology OB/PWC engines to be
slightly higher than the engines currently
offered, but is confident that consumers
will see this as affordable when
compared to the performance advantages
and improved fuel economy to be
enjoyed by the boat owner from these
improved engines.
For More Information
EPA encourages additional information
be obtained electronically via the EPA
internet server or via dial-up modem on
the Technology Transfer Network
(TTN), an electronic bulletin board
system (BBS).
World Wide Web: http://www.epa.
gov/OMSWWW
TTN BBS: 919-541-5742 (1200-
14400 bps, no parity, 8 data bits,
1 stop bit);
voice helpline: 919-541-5384
Information is also available by calling
313-668-4333 or writing to:
U.S. EPA
Office of Mobile Sources
2565 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
Effect on Boat Dealers
As with boat owners, boat dealers are
not responsible for compliance with this
regulation. Boat dealers are encouraged
to be aware of this rule and understand
the technological advancements
expected of the future OB/PWC marine
engines. Dealers will likely find it
advantageous to have the ability to
supply consumers with the performance
advantages and potential fuel economy
savings associated with the new
generation of OB/PWC marine engines.
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