United States Air and Radiation EPA420-F-02-040
Environmental Protection September 2002
Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
Regulatory
Announcement
Frequently Asked Questions from
Snowmobile Owners
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted emission
standards for recreational vehicles, including snowmobiles, off-highway
motorcycles, and ATVs. This information sheet addresses questions we
have heard from snowmobile owners.
Why is EPA adopting emission standards for
snowmobiles?
Snowmobiles currently emit more than 220,000 tons of hydrocarbons
(HC) and 580,000 tons of carbon monoxide (CO) each year across the
United States. These emissions contribute to ambient concentrations of
CO, air toxics (such as benzene), and fine particulate matter, which is
largely responsible for visibility impairment at our national parks.
Reducing these emissions would benefit our health and environment. In
the Clean Air Act, Congress requires us to set emission standards that
address these problems. These environmental impacts are described in
more detail in the fact sheet referenced below.
Does my current snowmobile need to meet these
regulations?
No. Snowmobile manufacturers must ensure that each new snowmobile
sold meets the new emission standards. The standards apply only to new
snowmobiles produced in 2006 or later. Anything manufactured before
that model year would not be affected. We usually allow several years of
I Printed on Recycled Paper
-------
lead time between publication of a final rule and the effective date of
new standards. New emission standards for snowmobiles therefore
won't affect the snowmobile you own now or any snowmobile you buy
before 2006.
As a
You may not disable any emission controls installed on your snowmo-
bile. Manufacturers explain in their owner's manual what type of emis-
sion controls exist for each model and may specify some minor mainte-
nance that must be performed to keep emission controls working prop-
erly over the life of the snowmobile. You may also make adjustments
specified by manufacturers in the owner's manual, such as carburetor
jetting changes, to account for changing operating conditions.
of is
We require manufacturers to meet emission standards on an average
basis, which will allow them to offer a wide range of technologies to
their customers. We don't specify what emission controls the manufac-
turers must use to comply with the regulations. Some manufacturers are
expected to use direct fuel injection with some of their two-stroke
engines, much like the latest models of personal watercraft and outboard
engines. We also expect manufacturers to increase the number of snow-
mobiles that use four-stroke engines.
We are also adopting requirements to control permeation emissions from
snowmobile fuel systems. We expect these requirements to lead to the
use of improved materials that reduce the permeation of fuel through
fuel tanks and hoses and into the atmosphere. This should noticeably
reduce the smell of gasoline from your snowmobile.
will
We estimate that the range of costs for meeting the requirements to be
about $50 for a modified two-stroke engine, $300 for direct-injection
technology, and up to $900 for a four-stroke engine with fuel injection.
However, direct-injection and four-stroke technologies reduce fuel and
oil consumption, which somewhat offset these costs. The permeation
requirements are expected to cost less than $10 per vehicle, which is
also offset by fuel savings.
-------
will and
safety?
We don't expect the controls to harm performance or safety. Manufac-
turers have made many improvements in snowmobile designs over the
last few years and will have several years to further improve their
products. Engine modifications and fuel system changes should allow
performance similar to your current snowmobile—and may allow for
better performance. Direct fuel injection also performs better than
today's snowmobiles that use a carburetor. Manufacturers are already
marketing four-stroke engines that compete directly with snowmobile
models with two-stroke engines. None of the emission controls manu-
facturers are considering affect safety.
do
We estimated the amount of pollution coming from snowmobiles based
on testing of currently unregulated recreational vehicles. With the new
emission standards for snowmobiles, we expect manufacturers will use
a variety of engine technologies to meet emission standards. Our esti-
mates of baseline and future emission rates for snowmobiles are shown
in the following table.
Engine Category
Baseline two- stroke
Recalibrated two-stroke
Direct Injection two-stroke
Four-stroke
Snowmobile Emission Rates (grams per horsepower-hour)*
HC
ill
54
22
8
CO
296
147
90
123
NOx
1
1
"J
3
9
PM
2.7
2.7
0.6
0.2
* Manufacturers meet standards based on emission rates in grams per kilowatt-
hour; emission estimates are presented here in grams per horsepower-hour for
convenience in comparing with other programs.
I my
snowmobile?
No. These regulations do not include any specific restrictions about
where you can ride snowmobiles.
-------
Will be
We are not adopting any noise regulations. Snowmobile manufacturers in
some cases design snowmobiles that already meet voluntary noise
standards for snowmobiles.
Do apply in California?
Yes. California currently does not have separate emission standards for
snowmobiles, so the federal standards apply in California.
I get information?
You can access documents on recreational vehicles on the Office of
Transportation and Air Quality Web site at:
www. epa.gov/otaq/recveh. htm
You can also contact us at:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
Assessment and Standards Division
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Voice-mail: (734)214-4636
E-mail: asdinfo@epa.gov
See additional fact sheets:
• Emission Standards for New Nonroad Engines— Large Industrial
Spark-ignition Engines, Recreational Marine Diesel Engines, and
Recreational Vehicles (EPA420-F-02-037)
« Environmental Impacts of Newly Regulated Nonroad Engines
(EPA420-F-02-033)
• Frequently Asked Questions: Emission Exemption for Racing
Motorcycles and Other Competition Vehicles (EPA420-F-02-045)
* How to Maintain or Rebuild Engines Certified to EPA Standards
(EPA420-F-02-035)
------- |