U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA4oo-F-92-oi4
OFFICE OF MOBILE SOURCES
Milestones in Auto Emissions Control
Air pollution and cars were first linked in the early 1950s by a California
researcher who determined that traffic was to blame for the smoggy skies over
Los Angeles. At the time, typical new cars were emitting nearly 13 grams per
mile hydrocarbons (HC), 3.6 grams per mile nitrogen oxides (NOx), and 87
grams per mile carbon monoxide (CO).
Since then, the Federal Government has set standards to bring down levels of
these pollutants, and the auto industry has responded by developing new
emission control technologies. The current Federal certification standards for
exhaust emissions from cars are 0.25 gram per mile HC, 0.4 gram per mile NOx,
and 3.4 grams per mile CO. The standard for evaporative HC emissions is 2
grams per test. The improvements came about in a series of steps:
1964 California requires minimal emission control systems on 1966 model cars.
1966 Congress requires minimal emission controls on all 1968 and later cars.
1970 Congress adopts the first major Clean Air Act, establishes the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and gives the new Agency broad
responsibility for regulating motor vehicle pollution. The clean air law
calls for 90 percent reductions in automotive emissions. New cars must
meet a 0.41 gram per mile HC standard and a 3.4 grams per mile CO
standard by 1975; NOx emissions must be reduced to 0.4 gram per mile by
1976*. The law also directs EPA to set health-based "National Ambient
Air Quality Standards" for six pollutants, all of which are present in auto
emissions to some degree.
1971 New cars must meet evaporative emission standards for the first time;
charcoal canisters to trap gasoline vapors appear.
1972 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves appear as automakers strive to
meet NOx standards.
* The NOx standard was later revised (see 1977)
FACT SHEET OMS-12 .
August, 1994
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Milestones In Auto Emissions Control
1974 Congress delays the HC and CO standards until 1978 and sets interim
standards at the request of the auto industry. Congress adopts the
Energy Policy Conservation Act, setting the first fuel economy goals. The
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program establishes a phase-in
of more stringent fuel economy standards beginning with 1975 models.
1975 The first catalytic converters appear, and with them, unleaded gasoline, in
response to HC and CO standards.
1977 Congress amends the Clean Air Act. At the request of automakers, the HC
standard is delayed until 1980 and the CO standard until 1981. The NOx
standard is delayed until 1981 and is relaxed to 1 gram per mile.
1981 New cars meet the amended Clean Air Act standards for the first time.
Sophisticated three-way catalysts with on-board computers and oxygen
sensors appear in most new cars.
1983 Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs are established in 64 cities
nationwide, requiring passenger vehicles to undergo periodic testing for
malfunctioning emission control systems.
1985 EPA adopts stringent emission standards for diesel-powered trucks and
buses, to take effect in 1991 and 1994.
1989 EPA for the first time sets fuel volatility limits aimed at reducing evaporative
emissions.
1990 EPA imposes strict limits on diesel fuel sulfur content to help buses and
trucks meet the 1985 emission standards (which become effective in the early
1990's).
Congress amends the Clean Air Act to require further reductions in HC, CO,
NOx, and particulate emissions. The amendments also introduce a
comprehensive set of programs aimed at reducing pollution from motor
vehicles. These include lower tailpipe standards; more stringent emission
testing procedures; expanded I/M programs; new vehicle technologies and
clean fuels programs; transportation management provisions; and possible
regulation of emissions from nonroad vehicles.
1991 EPA promulgates lower tailpipe standards for HC and NOx as required by
the 1990 Clean Air Act. These standards take effect beginning with 1994
models.
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Milestones In Auto Emissions Control
1992 Standards setting emission limits for carbon monoxide at cold temperatures
(20 °F) are established for the first time. Oxygenated gasoline is introduced in
cities with high CO levels.
1993 Limits on sulfur content of diesel fuel take effect, enabling catalyst technology
to reduce diesel particulate emissions.
1994 Phase-in begins for cleaner vehicle standards and technologies required by
the 1990 Clean Air Act.
For More Information:
The Office of Mobile Sources is the national center for research and policy on air
pollution from highway and off-highway motor vehicles and equipment. You
can write to us at the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory,
2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor; MI 48105. Our phone number is (313) 668-4333.
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