Extension of Temporary Exhaust
     Emission Test Procedure Option for
     All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
         The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is publishing
         a Direct Final Rule to allow ATV manufacturers up to six ad'
    ditional years to use the alternative steady-state test procedure and
    associated standards.
    Overview
    In a rule published November 8, 2002, EPA issued new emission standards for
    recreational vehicles beginning in model year 2006. In that rulemaking, a provision
    was included temporarily allowing manufacturers to test all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
    over a steady-state, engine-based, duty cycle for exhaust emissions. EPA stated that
    it would work with industry to assess the need and potentially develop a new test
    procedure for ATVs.

    Manufacturers involved in this test procedure development effort chose to postpone
    investing in the chassis dynamometer testing facilities needed for the primary test
    procedures under the 2002 rulemaking. They had hoped that they could use their
    current facilities in a newly developed alternative cycle.

    However, despite extensive discussions and research with industry for several years,
    no consensus was achieved on a new test procedure. Thus, EPA believes it is time
    to close deliberations on developing a new emissions test cycle, leaving in place the
    current standards and test procedures.

    The purpose of this direct final rule is to give industry an appropriate amount of lead
    time to complete investments and make the full transition to chassis dynamometer
    testing facilities. This rule extends the availability of a temporary optional test
    procedure, and associated standards for up to six years in some cases. Specifically,
    manufacturers would have to certify engine families representing at least 50 percent
    of their production on the Federal Test Procedure in model year 2014 and 100
    percent in 2015.

                                      Office of Transportation and Air Quality
United States
Environmental Protection                                         EPA420-F-07-022
Agency                                                          April 2007

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Public Participation Opportunities
This rule is being released as a direct final rule because we view it as a non-controversial action
and anticipate no adverse comment. However, comments can be submitted under a parallel
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). Comments will be accepted for 30 days beginning
when the NPRM is published in the Federal Register. All comments should be identified by
Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2006-0858 and submitted by one of the following methods:

         Internet: www.regulations.gov
         E-mail: A-and-R-Docket@epa.gov
         Mail:
             Environmental Protection Agency
             Air and Radiation Docket and Information Center (6102T)
             1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
             Washington, DC 20460

         Hand Delivery:
             EPA West Building
             EPA Docket Center (Room 3334)
             1301 Constitution Avenue NW
             Washington, DC
For More Information
You can access the rule and related documents on EPA's Office of Transportation and Air
Quality (OTAQ) Web site at:

         www.epa.gov/otaq/recveh.htm

For more information on this Direct Final Rule, please contact the Assessment and Standards
Division at:

         U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
         Assessment and Standards Division
         Office of Transportation and Air Quality
         2000 Traverwood Drive
         Ann Arbor, MI 48105
         Voice-mail: (734) 214-4636
         E-mail: asdinfo@epa.gov
                                              Office of Transportation and Air Quality
Exhaust Emission - All Terrain Vehicles

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