EPA, Gasoline, Ozone and Resource

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

Green Car Congress

MARCH 14, 2019

Fiat-Chrysler of America (FCA) will recall more than 850,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars and SUVs due to a problem with their catalytic converters. The recall was announced after an investigation by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Convert

Convert Gasoline Ozone Dodge

EPA proposes waiving Federal requirements for stations to capture gasoline vapors when vehicles refuel beginning in 2013

Green Car Congress

JULY 11, 2011

Source: EPA. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a proposed rule under the Clean Air Act (CAA) that would waive requirements beginning in 2013 for systems used at gas station pumps to capture potentially harmful gasoline vapors while refueling cars. Most VRS are vacuum assist, according to EPA.

EPA

EPA Gasoline 2013 Ozone

UK researchers report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid are major unreported source of VOCs emissions from cars, including EVs

Green Car Congress

JUNE 8, 2023

There are widespread policy assumptions that the phase-out of gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines will over time lead to much reduced emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from road transport and related fuels. Resources Samuel J. Cliff et al. the products used for “car care,” such as windshield washer fluid.

Emissions

Emissions Exhaust Cars Ozone

US EPA proposing allowing high-octane, higher ethanol content fuels as part of Tier 3 regs; E30 as example

Green Car Congress

APRIL 3, 2013

Higher octane fuels can lead to higher compression ratios which in turn can lead to more efficient gasoline engines and reduced fuel consumption. With turbocharged gasoline engines, there is a double benefit: higher compression ratios and increased boost. Currently, the Clean Air Act limits the volatility of gasoline to 9.0

EPA

EPA Fuel Parts Gasoline

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

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

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

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 14, 2021

Power management company Eaton has introduced a complete suite of solutions from its Vehicle Group to reduce vapor emissions produced during the refueling of gasoline-powered vehicles. This leakage occurs in all gasoline-powered vehicles, including passenger cars and an increasing number of small- and mid-sized commercial vehicles.

Eaton

Eaton Emissions Gasoline-Electric Production

Study finds significant slowdown in decrease of NOx emissions in US; implications for air quality management

Green Car Congress

MAY 1, 2018

They found that levels of pollutants that can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, or smog, have failed to continue a fairly steady decline as estimated by the US Environmental Protection Agency. These results show that meeting future air quality standards for ozone pollution will be more challenging than previously thought.

Emissions

Emissions Ozone Pollution EPA

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. NHTSA and EPA have worked together to harmonize their standards under this program.

EPA

EPA Fuel Standards Emissions

Perspective: US Needs to Transition to Hydrous Ethanol as the Primary Renewable Transportation Fuel

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 30, 2009

In 1975, General Ernesto Geisel, then-president of Brazil, ordered the country’s gasoline supply mixed with 10% ethanol. The level was raised to 25% over the next five years, which was intended to maintain a constant Brazilian gasoline supply for an ever-increasing demand. These were arguably the first flex-fuel vehicles.

Transportation

Transportation Fuel Renewable Gasoline-Electric

National Academies release third review of the 21st Century Truck Partnership

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

California’s and, potentially, EPA’s move toward further heavy-duty NO x reductions to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone will be critical. The DOE should continue to explore how the United States might use its abundant petroleum, natural gas, and biofuel resources in the most efficient manner.

MPG

MPG Miles 2009 Fuel

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

Green Car Congress

MAY 12, 2017

A new study quantifying emissions from a fleet of gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines and port fuel injection (PFI) engines finds that the measured decrease in CO 2 emissions from GDIs is much greater than the potential climate forcing associated with higher black carbon emissions from GDI engines. —Saliba et al.

Fleet

Fleet Engine Global Fuel Economy

Study of Vapor Pressures of Gasoline-Alcohol Blends Finds That Dual-Alcohol Blends Can Result in RVPs Identical to That of Gasoline

Green Car Congress

MAY 23, 2010

RVPs (predicted DVPE) of single- and dual-alcohol blends in gasoline with different relative proportions of ethanol and 1-butanol. As part of the study, they demonstrated a simple method to prepare dual-alcohol-gasoline blends with Reid vapor pressures (RVPs) “ indistinguishable ” from that of the base gasoline.

Alcohol Blend

Alcohol Blend Gasoline Ozone Fuel

ARB releases proposed cap-and-trade regulation for comment; transportation fuels impacted in 2015

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 29, 2010

The California Air Resources Board released its proposed greenhouse gas cap-and-trade regulation. The release begins a public comment period culminating in a 16 December public hearing in Sacramento, California, at which the Board will consider adopting the proposed program. Offset Protocols. ARB Emissions Trading Program Overview.

2015

2015 Transportation Fuel Emissions

Researchers Determine Process Through Which Hydrocarbon Compounds Emitted by Trees Form Aerosols, With Impact on Human Health and Climate

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 9, 2009

Isoprene, a five-carbon diene formed naturally in plants and animals and a precursor of ozone, contributes more than 40% of these emissions. There is much more isoprene emitted to the atmosphere than all of the gases (gasoline, industrial chemicals) emitted by human activities, with the important exceptions of methane and carbon dioxide.

Climate

Climate New Zealand Denmark 2009

EV Driven

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

EPA proposes waiving Federal requirements for stations to capture gasoline vapors when vehicles refuel beginning in 2013

UK researchers report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid are major unreported source of VOCs emissions from cars, including EVs

US EPA proposing allowing high-octane, higher ethanol content fuels as part of Tier 3 regs; E30 as example

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

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

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

Study finds significant slowdown in decrease of NOx emissions in US; implications for air quality management

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

Perspective: US Needs to Transition to Hydrous Ethanol as the Primary Renewable Transportation Fuel

National Academies release third review of the 21st Century Truck Partnership

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

Study of Vapor Pressures of Gasoline-Alcohol Blends Finds That Dual-Alcohol Blends Can Result in RVPs Identical to That of Gasoline

ARB releases proposed cap-and-trade regulation for comment; transportation fuels impacted in 2015

Researchers Determine Process Through Which Hydrocarbon Compounds Emitted by Trees Form Aerosols, With Impact on Human Health and Climate

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