Information about EPA Strategies
to Reduce Air Pollution from
Locomotives
These technical highlights provide a basic overview of EPA's
regulations for locomotives in the United States, as well as
information regarding EPA's voluntary measures to reduce emissions
from locomotives.
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2. set near-term engine-out emissions standards, referred to as Tier 3 standards, for
newly-built locomotives and engines; and
3. set longer-term standards, referred to as Tier 4 standards, for newly-built
locomotives and engines that reflect the application of high-efficiency
aftertreatment technology.
EPA estimates that use of a Tier 4 locomotive or engine represents a 90 percent PM
emissions reduction and an 80 percent NOx emissions reduction, compared to a
locomotive engine meeting the Tier 2 standards.
In this rule, EPA also finalized new idle reduction requirements for newly-built and
remanufactured locomotives and engines and adopted provisions to encourage a
new generation of clean switch locomotives, based on clean nonroad diesel engine
standards. EPA estimated significant emission reductions would accrue beyond
2030 due to fleet turnover. This rule was an important step in EPA's National Clean
Diesel Campaign.
Key points:
• Freshly manufactured new locomotives and engines since 2015 must meet Tier 4.
• Locomotives and engines become new when remanufactured, and must install
certain components during remanufacturing.
• Both freshly manufactured and remanufactured locomotives and engines must
employ anti-idle technology.
Requirements for Idle Reduction
Since 2008, it has been required that all new locomotives and engines be equipped
with idle control systems such as automatic engine stop/start technology that is
activated after 30 minutes or less of idle. The main engine(s) designed with stop/start
technology should be capable of restarting at least six times per day without causing
damage to the engine and impacting the expected intervals for remanufacturing. The
engine(s) may be restarted and continue idling beyond the designated time limit to
prevent engine damage such as coolant from freezing, maintain brake or start system
pressure or recharge locomotive battery, perform necessary maintenance, heat or cool
the cab if necessary, or comply with federal regulations. The idle controls are disclosed
and included in the certification of the locomotive or engine and may also be certified
separately from the locomotive certification.
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Requirements for Remanufacturing
Remanufactured locomotives and engines must also meet Tier standards based
on the date of original manufacture of the locomotive or engine. Locomotives
and engines are considered remanufactured if all the power assemblies have been
replaced or requalified within a five- year period. Typically, pre-1973 locomotives
are exempt from these standards unless certain conditions have been met.
Remanufactured locomotives and engines are required to stay as clean as they were
when new but it's also possible to upgrade an older Tier unit to a cleaner Tier.
There is currently a credit program in place to provide incentives for doing so.
Remanufactured locomotives and engines must use an EPA certified remanufacture
kit and adhere to associated maintenance requirements.
Voluntary Measures
Smart Way
As of June 2022, there are 20 rail carriers who are SmartWay partners. SmartWay
Carriers submit operating data into EPA's tool, which calculates efficiency and air
quality performance data. These data, including emissions of NOx and PM in grams
per mile, are published on EPA's SmartWay Carrier Performance Ranking web page.
In addition to collecting their data, SmartWay staff assist partners with strategies to
reduce their emissions.
Ports Initiative and Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Programs
EPA's Ports Initiative provides resources to help accelerate adoption of cleaner
technologies and planning practices - such as emissions inventories and community
engagement - to reduce diesel engine emissions at ports and railyards across the
country. These resources include a webpage on rail facility best practices to improve
air quality with technical resources and real-world examples related to upgrading
older locomotives, reducing idling, and minimizing locomotive activity near at-risk
populations. Additionally, EPA's Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program
offers funding for locomotive upgrades and idle reduction technologies.
Verified Technologies for Clean Diesel
EPA has verified retrofit technologies that may be installed to further reduce
emissions from certified locomotive configurations and from idling locomotives.
Stakeholders may learn more about these verified technologies for locomotives by
visiting the EPA web pages listed below.
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For More Information
You can access the rule-related documents on the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Off ice of Transportation and Air Quality webpage at:
www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/
regulations-emissions-locomotives
You can view certification data published by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency for locomotive engines, idle control systems, and non-OEM components at:
www.epa.gov/ compliance-and-fuel-economy-data/
annual-certification-data-vehicles-engines-and-equipment
You can view U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rankings of SmartWay
partners at:
www.epa.gov/ smartway/ smartway-carrier-performance-ranking
You can view U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's verified clean diesel
technologies at:
www.epa.gov/verified-diesel-tech/verified-technologies-list-clean-diesel
You can view U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's verified locomotive idle-
reduction technologies at:
www.epa.gov/verified-diesel-tech/learn-about-idling-reduction-locomotives
You can read more about U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Rail Facility Best
Practices to Improve Air Quality at Ports at:
www.epa.gov/ports-initiative/rail-facility-best-practices-improve-air-quality
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