Office of Transportation EPA420-F-04-037
r l» ii-^i,js
and Air Quality July 2004
for
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 recently announced nonroad CI engine rule.
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 (ARB), and EMA, along with its mem-
ber companies, have worked cooperatively to reach an agreement. The
resulting settlement included provisions for proposing a manufacturer
run, in-use emissions testing program.
-------
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, engine emissions
testing involved removing the engine from the truck and testing the
engine in a laboratory on an engine dynamometer. Starting in the mid-
1990's 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 ex-
haust emissions from engines for design improvement, research, model-
ing, 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
program. 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
• Fully enforceable program beginning in the 2007 model year, when
new "Not-To-Exceed" (NTE) and tailpipe Nox and PM emission
standards take effect
• Pilot program for 2005 and 2006 model years which 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.
• Monitors in-use emissions of diesel vehicles with portable emission
measurement systems. Pollutants to be measured: Hydrocarbons
(HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Particu-
late Matter (PM).
• Testing will be conducted on in-use vehicles, under real-world
driving conditions, within the engine's useful life to monitor for
NTE compliance and to help ensure overall compliance with the
emission standards.
• Testing conducted and paid for by manufacturers with EPA over-
sight.
• Addresses a serious, long-standing need for "real-world" in-use
testing data.
-------
• The California Air Resources Board will adopt a parallel in-use
testing program.
• A nonroad diesel engine in-use testing program patterned after the
heavy-duty truck program is expected in the 2010 time frame.
Under the program, manufacturers will test fleet or customer-owned, in-
use trucks. Manufacturers will tap into existing customer relationships
and create new lines of communication 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.
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. The in-use test data, which have never been collected on this
large a scale, will be used by EPA to assure that emission standards are
being met, and by manufacturers to improve their engine designs. The
data will also be available to the public.
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.
Public Participation Opportunities
A public hearing will be held on July 15, 2004 at 10:00 AM. The hear-
ing will be held in Washington, D.C. at EPAs office on L Street, N.W.
For inquiries call Richard Wilcox at (734) 214-4390.
For More Information
Please see the Federal Register notice, which is expected to be published
within 30 days
------- |