U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA 4oo-F-92-oo3
OFFICE OF MOBILE SOURCES
National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) conducts the
Federal Government's principal program to control air pollution from motor
vehicles. The lab's primary responsibilities include developing national regula-
tory programs to reduce mobile source related air pollution; evaluating emission
control technology; testing vehicles, engines, and fuels; and determining compli-
ance with Federal emissions and fuel economy standards. Organizationally, the
lab functions as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Wash-
ington, D.C. headquarters (see chart on reverse side).
The laboratory was established in 1971, shortly after the creation of EPA. It is
located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, near the headquarters of domestic automobile
manufacturers to facilitate transfer of test vehicles back and forth. Several
private sector technology centers are also located nearby, making the Ann Arbor
area the world center for research on automotive pollution control.
There are currently 400 Federal and contract employees at NVFEL. Staff exper-
tise spans a variety of technical and public policy fields including auto mechan-
ics, engineering, science, economics, natural resources, and law.
For the first 20 years of operation, NVFEL's goals centered around working with
industry to reduce emissions from individual automobiles. The approach
achieved considerable success — compared to an uncontrolled passenger car of
1970, an average car on the road today emits 60 to 90 percent less pollution over
its lifetime. But the amount of driving in this country doubled during the same
20 years, and the automobile remains the single largest source of air pollution in
the United States. More than half the U.S. population lives in areas where
pollution levels exceed Federal air quality standards.
The challenge for NVFEL as we approach the next century will be to find ways
to reduce vehicle-related pollution while vehicle travel continues to grow. Con-
gress outlined a four-point strategy in the 1990 Clean Air Act to achieve emission
reductions from transportation sources. The strategy broadens the lab's activi-
ties beyond its original focus on new car emission standards to emphasize:
Clean Vehicles — Cars, buses, trucks, and even nonroad vehicles such as
construction equipment and boats.
Clean Fuels — Reformulated gasoline, diesel fuel, and nonpetroleum
alternatives.
Inspection and Maintenance and Onboard (computerized) Diagnos-
tics — Programs to identify faulty emission controls and ensure their re-
FACT SHEET OMS-1
August, 1994
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National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
pair so vehicles remain clean in actual customer use.
Clean Transportation Alternatives — Strategies to discourage solo
driving and to limit vehicle travel growth.
NVFEL played a key role in developing these strategies and is now actively
involved in their implementation.
NVFEL and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The President
Other Federal Departments and Agencies
EPA Administrator
Regions and Other Program Offices:
Water, Solid Waste, Toxics, etc.
Office of Air and Radiation
Other Air Programs:
Sationary Sources, Radiation, Acid Rain, etc.
Office of Mobile Sources
I
Vehicle and Fuels Enforcement Programs:
Washington, B.C.
National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
Ann Arbor, MI
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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