California, EPA, Ozone and Standards

Hyundai Motor puts XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks into commercial fleet operation in California with $3.5M from EPA

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

million in 2021 Targeted Airshed Grant (TAG) funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deploy five XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks in California. EPA’s TAG program aims to reduce air pollution in areas of the nation with the highest levels of ambient ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution.

Hyundai

Hyundai EPA California Commercial

EPA proposes tightening primary ozone standards to range of 65-70 ppb; final rule by October 2015

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Counties where measured ozone is above proposed range of standards, based on 2011-2013 monitoring data. Source: EPA. EPA will seek public comment on the proposal for 90 days following publication in the Federal Register, and the agency plans to hold three public hearings. Click to enlarge. Earlier post.).

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards 2015

EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 1, 2015

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). issued its final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (ppb) from 75 ppb to protect public health. Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the air.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards District of Columbia

EPA launches Cleaner Trucks Initiative to update NOx standards for heavy-duty trucks

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI) to further decrease NO x emissions from on-highway heavy-duty trucks and engines. The US has made major reductions in NO x emissions, but it’s been nearly 20 years since EPA updated these standards.

EPA

EPA Cleaner Standards 2001

California SCAQMD petitioning EPA for national ultra-low NOx standard for trucks

Green Car Congress

MAY 18, 2016

The Governing Board of California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) earlier this year voted to petition the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt tougher emission standards for engines of heavy-duty trucks to help the region meet federal clean air goals.

EPA

EPA Standards California Ozone

EPA, NHTSA issue One National Program Rule; EPA withdraws CA waiver for GHG and fuel economy

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019

This action is based on the premise that federal law preempts state and local tailpipe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards as well as zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates. California’s ability to enforce its Low Emission Vehicle program and other clean air standards to address harmful smog-forming vehicle emissions—i.e.,

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy EPA Economy Fuel

California ARB approves air quality plan for South Coast Air Basin ahead of 2023 deadline; calls for Federal action

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 15, 2019

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to approve an updated plan for the South Coast Air Basin aimed at further cutting smog-forming emissions to attain the federal 8-hour ozone standard. The plan also includes current efforts to transform California’s vehicle fleet to zero-emission. —CARB Chair Mary D.

California

California Ozone Los Angeles EPA

EPA issues ANPR on Clean Trucks Initiative, seeking input from public and stakeholders

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 7, 2020

The US EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) for the Cleaner Trucks Initiative (CTI). The eventual CTI rulemaking will establish new, more stringent emission standards for NO x and other pollutants for highway heavy-duty engines. EPA is seeking input from the public and interested stakeholders.

EPA

EPA Ozone Clean Cleaning

MECA emissions inventory & air quality modeling shows potential benefits of national cleaner trucks initiative at CARB limits

Green Car Congress

JUNE 26, 2020

The objective of the emission impact analysis was to respond to EPA’s request for comments as to the merits of reducing NO x emissions from heavy-duty trucks by 50 to 90% as outlined in the 6 January 2020 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) of the CTI. Source: MECA. ppb in the west (San Bernardino, CA) and 4.9

Cleaner

Cleaner Ozone Emissions Atlanta

EPA proposes approval of new ozone plans for the two of the worst Air Quality Zones in US: California’s San Joaquin Valley and South Coast

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

US EPA Region 9 8-hour ozone trends, 1979-2000. Source: EPA. These State Implementation Plans (SIPs) are the roadmaps to meeting the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 0.08 In 2008, the 8-hour standard was lowered to 0.075 ppm. ppm standard. Click to enlarge.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Pollution 2002

EPA to begin work on proposed rulemaking for on-road heavy-duty ultra-low NOx standard for MY 2024

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 23, 2016

Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received several petitions from state and local government agencies from across the country and other organizations to increase the stringency of the on-highway heavy-duty engine NO x emission standards from 0.2 —EPA memorandum in response to petitions.

EPA

EPA Standards Ozone 2000

Volvo Trucks awarded $21.7M from US EPA and South Coast AQMD to deploy 70 Class 8 VNR Electric trucks

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 20, 2020

million in grants to deploy 70 VNR Electric trucks in Southern California for regional freight distribution and drayage. The US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Targeted Air Shed Grant Program is providing $20 million in funding, supplemented by $1.7 Volvo Trucks North America was awarded $21.7

Volvo

Volvo EPA Los Angeles Grant

FCA recalls 850,000+ gasoline vehicles due to problem with catalytic converters

Green Car Congress

MARCH 14, 2019

The recall was announced after an investigation by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There are about 50,000 of these vehicles in California. But in California, drivers who fail to get the necessary repairs will not be able to register their vehicles.

Convert

Convert Gasoline Ozone Dodge

Study Finds Ozone Concentrations at Current Clean Air Standards Levels Can Impair Even Healthy Lungs

Green Car Congress

JULY 25, 2009

Exposure to ozone at levels currently deemed safe by the NAAQS clean air standards can have a significant and negative effect on lung function, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis. The previous primary and secondary standards were identical 8-hour standards, set at 0.08 Earlier post.).

Ozone

Ozone Standards Clean Cleaning

US reaches $1.5B settlement with Daimler AG over emissions cheating in Mercedes-Benz diesels; civil penalty of $875M

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDepartment of Justice (DOJ), and California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a proposed settlement with Daimler AG and its American subsidiary Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and California law associated with emissions cheating.

District of Columbia

District of Columbia Emissions Diesel Mercedes

EPA pushes back projected release of proposed Tier 3 light-duty vehicle emissions regulations to July

Green Car Congress

APRIL 2, 2012

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has pushed back its projected release of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Tier 3 light-duty vehicle emission and fuel standards to July 2012. The Tier 3 standards will succeed the current Tier 2 requirements. EPA’s work on the Tier 3 standards began in February, 2011.

EPA

EPA Light Emissions Ozone

California ARB to award $1M for locomotive advanced technology demonstration project

Green Car Congress

MARCH 1, 2012

The California Air Resources Board (ARB or Board) announced a solicitation for a grantee for up to $1 million to support up to two independent projects for demonstration and administration of advanced locomotive technologies that approach, meet, or exceed US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier-4 locomotive NO x and PM emission standards (i.e.,

California

California Ozone EPA Pollution

Study Links Springtime Ozone Increases Above Western North America to Emissions in Asia

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 21, 2010

Springtime ozone distributions for 1984, 1995–2008 in the mid-troposphere (3.0–8.0 Springtime ozone levels above western North America are rising primarily due to air flowing eastward from the Pacific Ocean, a trend that is largest when the air originates in Asia. The US EPA recently proposed new tougher ground-level ozone standards.

North America

North America Ozone Asia America

EPA and DOT issue final Phase 2 GHG and fuel efficiency rulemaking for medium- and heavy-duty trucks

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 16, 2016

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly released the finalized Phase 2 greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. California to keep pushing for more stringent regulations.

EPA

EPA Fuel Standards Emissions

Eaton introduces set of products to reduce vapor emissions during refueling; LEV III regulations

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 14, 2021

This category of emissions is the largest source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by automobiles, which are a main source of haze, ozone, and particulate matter. The LEV III regulations include increasingly stringent emission standards for pollutants for new passenger vehicles to be phased in through the 2025 model year.

Eaton

Eaton Emissions Gasoline-Electric Production

MECA report finds additional NOx emission reductions from new heavy-duty trucks achievable and cost-effective

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

Source of data: US EPA (2019). NO x is a precursor for both ground level ozone and secondary PM 2.5 which are regulated under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) because of their adverse effects on human health and the environment. NO x is a precursor for both ground level ozone and secondary PM 2.5

Emissions

Emissions Diesel Engine 2010

Researchers Discover New Chemistry for Ozone Formation; Not Yet Monitored or Incorporated into Atmospheric Models

Green Car Congress

JULY 24, 2009

Impact of the new chemistry on ambient air quality in the California South Coast Air Basin. (A) A) shows the base case peak concentrations for O 3 (ozone), ClNO and HCl in parts-per-billion by volume (ppbv). (B) Ozone can cause coughing, throat irritation, chest pain and shortness of breath. Raff et al. 2009) Click to enlarge.

Ozone

Ozone Pollution 2009 Coal

Calif. ARB releases GHG scoping plan update; more ZEVs, “LEV IV”, MD and HD regulations; ZEV for trucks; more LCFS

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

The California Air Resources Board released the draft proposed first update to the AB 32 Scoping Plan, which guides development and implementation of California’s greenhouse gas emission reduction programs. Major transportation related policies already in place are: The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Background.

Transportation

Transportation Emissions California Ozone

National Academies report finds EPA’s controlled human exposure studies of air pollution are warranted

Green Car Congress

MARCH 29, 2017

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carries out controlled human inhalation exposure (CHIE) studies in which volunteer participants agree to be intentionally exposed by inhalation to specific pollutants at restricted concentrations over short periods to obtain important information about the effects of outdoor air pollution on human health.

Pollution

Pollution Ozone EPA San Francisco

House Chairmen Waxman, Markey Release Draft of Energy and Climate Legislation; Among the Many Provisions Are Cap-and-Trade, Harmonization of CAFE and California Vehicle Regulations, and Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Green Car Congress

APRIL 1, 2009

Among the direct transportation-related provisions in the extensive package are a low-carbon fuel standard for all transportation fuels; financial support for large scale demonstrations of electric vehicles; and financial support for automakers retooling plants to make electric vehicles. trucks, construction machines, ships and planes.

Climate

Climate Standards Carbon California

California ARB Seeks Further Reductions of Diesel Emissions at State Rail Yards

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 26, 2009

The California Air Resources Board directed its staff to take steps to provide further locomotive and rail yard emission reductions beyond those achieved by existing US Environmental Protection Agency and state regulations and agreements. The emission reductions were to be beyond existing US EPA regulations and ARB regulations and agreements.

Diesel

Diesel California Emissions 2007

CRC ACES Phase 2 report finds emissions from modern heavy-duty diesels well below required levels

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 4, 2013

2010 engines emissions reduction relative to 2010, 2007, and 2004 US emission standards. earlier post ), found that emissions of NO 2 and other nitrogen oxides—which can have direct health effects and contribute to the formation of smog—were approximately 61% below the 2010 EPA standard and 99% lower than in 2004 engines.

Diesel

Diesel Emissions 2004 San Antonio

New CE-CERT report finds Cummins Wesport ISL G near-zero gas engine performs with lower NOx than EPA certification standard over range of cycles

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

A report released by the University of California Riverside’s College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), found that the new 8.9L Cummins Westport ISL G near-zero (NZ) natural gas engine ( earlier post ) meets and exceeds the certification standards during a full range of duty cycles.

EPA

EPA Standards Gas Engine

CRC Releases Summary of Status of 8 Projects Investigating Effects of Mid-Level Ethanol Blends on Non-FFV Highway Vehicles

Green Car Congress

MAY 6, 2010

Testing is due to be complete next year, prompting the auto, oil and outdoor power equipment industries to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to delay action on its proposal to allow higher levels of ethanol in gasoline until that testing is done. Earlier post.) The projects are: Fuel storage and handling (CRC AVFL-15).

Vehicles

Vehicles Emissions 2010 Australia

ROUSH CleanTech develops near-zero NOx propane autogas engine; CARB-certified at 0.02 g/bhp-hr

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 28, 2018

Alternative-fuel technology company ROUSH CleanTech has developed the first available propane autogas engine certified to California Air Resources Board’s (CARB’s) optional low oxides of nitrogen emissions standard for heavy-duty engines with 0.02 g/bhp-hr heavy-duty engine standard. grams per brake horsepower-hour (g/bhp-hr).

Engine

Engine Cleaner Ozone Emissions

Study finds fleet switch from PFI to GDI engines will result in net reduction in global warming

Green Car Congress

MAY 12, 2017

The study, by a team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, University of Georgia, Aerodyne Research, California Air Resources Board (ARB), Ohio State University, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego is published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology. The EPA GHG program is aimed at reducing tailpipe CO 2 emissions.

Fleet

Fleet Engine Global Fuel Economy

Ioniq 6 review; Supercharger cuts; Toyota and Ram fuel-cell trucks: The Week in Reverse

Baua Electric

MAY 12, 2024

Former President and current Presidential candidate Donald Trump reportedly tried to collect $1 billion in donations from top oil executives at Mar-a-Lago over the promise that Trump would scrap stricter EPA emissions rules anticipated to drive up the sales of EVs. Are the flame retardants in vehicle cabins making us sick ?

Toyota

Toyota Fuel Pollution Hydrogen

EV Driven

Hyundai Motor puts XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks into commercial fleet operation in California with $3.5M from EPA

EPA proposes tightening primary ozone standards to range of 65-70 ppb; final rule by October 2015

EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

EPA launches Cleaner Trucks Initiative to update NOx standards for heavy-duty trucks

California SCAQMD petitioning EPA for national ultra-low NOx standard for trucks

EPA, NHTSA issue One National Program Rule; EPA withdraws CA waiver for GHG and fuel economy

California ARB approves air quality plan for South Coast Air Basin ahead of 2023 deadline; calls for Federal action

EPA issues ANPR on Clean Trucks Initiative, seeking input from public and stakeholders

MECA emissions inventory & air quality modeling shows potential benefits of national cleaner trucks initiative at CARB limits

EPA proposes approval of new ozone plans for the two of the worst Air Quality Zones in US: California’s San Joaquin Valley and South Coast

EPA to begin work on proposed rulemaking for on-road heavy-duty ultra-low NOx standard for MY 2024

Volvo Trucks awarded $21.7M from US EPA and South Coast AQMD to deploy 70 Class 8 VNR Electric trucks

FCA recalls 850,000+ gasoline vehicles due to problem with catalytic converters

Study Finds Ozone Concentrations at Current Clean Air Standards Levels Can Impair Even Healthy Lungs

US reaches $1.5B settlement with Daimler AG over emissions cheating in Mercedes-Benz diesels; civil penalty of $875M

EPA pushes back projected release of proposed Tier 3 light-duty vehicle emissions regulations to July

California ARB to award $1M for locomotive advanced technology demonstration project

Study Links Springtime Ozone Increases Above Western North America to Emissions in Asia

EPA and DOT issue final Phase 2 GHG and fuel efficiency rulemaking for medium- and heavy-duty trucks

Eaton introduces set of products to reduce vapor emissions during refueling; LEV III regulations

MECA report finds additional NOx emission reductions from new heavy-duty trucks achievable and cost-effective

Researchers Discover New Chemistry for Ozone Formation; Not Yet Monitored or Incorporated into Atmospheric Models

Calif. ARB releases GHG scoping plan update; more ZEVs, “LEV IV”, MD and HD regulations; ZEV for trucks; more LCFS

National Academies report finds EPA’s controlled human exposure studies of air pollution are warranted

House Chairmen Waxman, Markey Release Draft of Energy and Climate Legislation; Among the Many Provisions Are Cap-and-Trade, Harmonization of CAFE and California Vehicle Regulations, and Low Carbon Fuel Standard

California ARB Seeks Further Reductions of Diesel Emissions at State Rail Yards

CRC ACES Phase 2 report finds emissions from modern heavy-duty diesels well below required levels

New CE-CERT report finds Cummins Wesport ISL G near-zero gas engine performs with lower NOx than EPA certification standard over range of cycles

CRC Releases Summary of Status of 8 Projects Investigating Effects of Mid-Level Ethanol Blends on Non-FFV Highway Vehicles

ROUSH CleanTech develops near-zero NOx propane autogas engine; CARB-certified at 0.02 g/bhp-hr

Study finds fleet switch from PFI to GDI engines will result in net reduction in global warming

Ioniq 6 review; Supercharger cuts; Toyota and Ram fuel-cell trucks: The Week in Reverse

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