^ FP/\ Office of Transportation EPA420-F-04-042
^^C?^ and Air quality June 2004
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Regulatory
Announcement
Proposed In-Use Testing Program for
Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines and Vehicles
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a
manufacturer-run, in-use emissions testing program for heavy-duty
diesel trucks. This proposal is the first step in implementing a June
2003 settlement agreement between the Engine Manufacturers
Association (EMA) and EPA. Under this in-use testing program,
manufacturers will measure gaseous and particulate exhaust emissions
from diesel engines using portable onboard emission measurement
systems. This cooperative effort represents a significant advance in
helping to ensure that the benefits of more stringent emission standards
are realized under real-world driving conditions.
Background
EPA has issued five rules regarding diesel engines since 1999. These
include the 2004 and 2007 Heavy-Duty Diesel Motor Vehicle Engines
Rules, Recreational Marine Diesel Engines Rule, Commercial Marine
Diesel Engines Rule, and the Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule for com-
pression-ignition engines. EMA and some manufacturers challenged
parts of the highway and marine rules regarding legal authority and
technical feasibility of certain emission standards called the Not-To-
Exceed Standards (NTE). EPA, the California Air Resources Board
(CARB), and EMA, along with its member companies, have worked
cooperatively to reach an agreement. The resulting settlement included
provisions for proposing a manufacturer run, in-use emissions testing
program.
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The new testing program will assess in-use gaseous and particulate
exhaust emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks using portable emission
measurement systems for the first time. Previously, testing engine emis-
sions involved removing the engine from the truck and testing the engine
in a laboratory on an engine dynamometer. Starting in the mid-1990s
EPA facilitated research into portable systems by developing and using
prototype systems in its compliance programs. Portable systems were
placed inside of vehicles to measure emissions performance during real-
world operating conditions. It became clear that these systems offered
advantages over conventional approaches to assess in-use exhaust emis-
sions from engines for design improvement, research, modeling, and
compliance purposes.
In a largely unprecedented example of proactive government and indus-
try cooperation, prior to any formal rulemaking initiative, manufacturers
have agreed to implement this new type of in-use emission testing pro-
gram. The resulting collaborative program, which advances EPA's Clean
Diesel Program, is a significant step forward for both parties in helping
ensure that heavy-duty diesel engines comply with applicable emission
standards throughout their useful lives while reducing overall compliance
burdens.
Key Elements of the Proposed Program
We are proposing to establish a manufacturer-run, in-use NTE testing
program for vehicles with heavy-duty diesel engines, beginning with a
pilot program in calendar years 2005 and 2006. The pilot program will
allow EPA and the manufacturers to gain the necessary experience with
in-use testing protocols and generation of in-use test data using portable
emission measurement systems. Beginning in calendar year 2007, when
the NTE and tailpipe emission standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and
particulate matter (PM) take effect, the fully enforceable program will
apply to 2007 and later model year engines.
Under the program, testing will be conducted and paid for by manufac-
turers with EPA oversight on in-use vehicles, under real-world driving
conditions, within the engine's useful life. Four pollutants will be mea-
sured: hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), NOx, and PM.
Manufacturers will test fleet or customer-owned, in-use trucks, tapping
into existing customer relationships and creating new lines of communi-
cation with customers, all of which is expected to fortify the engine
development process. This will enhance the manufacturer's ability to
catch any problem engines early on, and encourage future engine designs
that are cleaner and more durable.
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Manufacturers will monitor compliance by testing in-use diesel engines
during normal vehicle operation. If noncomplying engines are identified,
the manufacturer will test more engines for the purpose of determining if
any further action is necessary. EPA will likewise use the in-use data to
make independent evaluations about the possible need to pursue further
actions.
This program will address a serious, long-standing need for "real-world"
in-use testing data, which have never been collected on this large a
scale. We expect that the wealth of in-use test data generated will have a
number of valuable uses in addition to monitoring heavy-duty diesel
engines for NTE compliance purposes. We will use the data to assure
that emission standards are being met; we may also use the information
in the development of in-use emission factors for emissions and air
quality modeling. The data will also be available to the public for review
and analysis.
Other Programs
California's involvement in the development of this program was critical
in assuring that engine manufacturers are subject to a consistent national
in-use NTE test program. CARB intends to adopt a parallel in-use
testing program for 2007, soon after EPA completes its final rule for this
program.
In addition, EPA is developing an outline for a similar in-use testing
program for nonroad diesel engines covered by the emission standards
finalized in May 2004. Such a program will be patterned after the heavy-
duty truck in-use testing program, but will address some unique issues
pertaining to the nonroad market. We anticipate publishing a proposed
rule for public comment in 2005.
Economic, Health and Environmental Impacts
EPA expects that 14 heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers will be
involved in the program. Total annual costs are estimated at about $1
million. This proposed in-use emissions testing program is expected to
help ensure that the intended health and environmental benefits from
recently-adopted emission regulations are realized throughout the entire
useful lives of heavy-duty diesel engines.
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Public Participation Opportunities
We welcome your comments on this proposal. For instructions on sub-
mitting written comments, please see the Federal Register notice. It is
available from the EPA Air Docket by calling (202) 566-1742; please
refer to Docket No. OAR-2004-0072. In addition, you can access the
proposed rule and related documents on EPA's Office of Transportation
and Air Quality Web site at:
www. epa. gov/otaq/hd-hwy. htm
A public hearing will be held in Washington, DC, on July 15, 2004, at
10:00 am. Additional information about the hearing will be printed in the
Federal Register.
For More Information:
For more information, please contact Richard Wilcox at:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
Assessment and Standards Division
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734)214-4390
E-mail: wilcox.rich@epa.gov
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