MotorVehicleRegs.COM

SCR Maintenance Intervals

On January 5, 2012, EPA is publishing notices in the Federal Register announcing the approval of new SCR maintenance intervals for both onroad and nonroad diesel engines/vehicles.  For light duty vehicles, the previously approved maintenance intervals for 2009-2010 will be allowed for 2011 and later model years.  For light duty, DEF refill intervals shall not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended oil change interval.  This also applies to medium duty vehicles and other chassis certified vehicles up to 14,000 pounds.  For heavy-duty vehicles/engines, vocational heavy-duty vehicles (e.g., dump trucks, concrete mixers, refuse trucks, and other centrally-fueled vehicles) are permitted a DEF tank maintenance interval no less than the vehicle’s fuel capacity (i.e., a 1:1 ratio of DEF refill to fuel refill).  For all other heavy-duty vehicles, EPA has approved a DEF tank refill interval no less than twice the range of the vehicle’s fuel capacity (i.e., a 2:1 ratio).  EPA will review manufacturer certification applications to ensure that technology is being provided to ensure DEF tanks will be refilled as intended.  Acceptable strategies will include visible signal systems to alert drivers and operators that maintenance is needed or data demonstrating that drivers or operators are induced to perform maintenance.  For nonroad CI engines, the approved maintenance interval is the 1:1 ration of DEF refill to fuel refill.  EPA contact: David Dickinson, Compliance Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, Tel: 202-343-9256, Email: Dickinson.david@epa.gov. 

 

Diesel Verification Procedure Workshop

On December 16, 2011, CARB published Mail-Out # MSC 11-36 which announces a public workshop to discuss proposed amendments and clarifications to the Verification Procedure, Warranty, and In-Use Compliance Requirements for In-Use Strategies to Control Emissions from Diesel Engines (Verification Procedure) to be considered by the Board in May 2012. The Verification Procedure is used by staff to evaluate diesel emission control strategies (DECS) to determine their suitability for use by regulated fleets. At the workshop, staff will discuss proposed amendments to the Verification Procedure including the following:

• Additional changes to the in-use compliance testing requirements, including specifying when testing is required and providing a new in-field testing option
• New recall provisions
• Changes to the pre-installation compatibility assessment provisions, including additional requirements for installers of verified DECS
• Clarification of the definition of a warrantable event and revised warranty reporting requirements
• Changes to the backpressure monitoring requirements for filter-based DECS
• Other changes and clarifications

Staff will post an agenda and presentation on ARB’s Verification Procedure website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/verdev.htm and on the In-Use Compliance website at http://www.arb.ca.gov/diesel/verdev/inusecomreq.htm prior to the workshop.

The workshop will be held in El Monte and is scheduled for three hours on the date below:

Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012

Time: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Location: Air Resources Board

Auditorium – Annex 4

9528 Telstar Avenue

El Monte, California 91731

Comments may also be submitted by postal mail before the workshop or by electronic submittal before and during the workshop:

Postal Mail: Mr. Dean Bloudoff

Air Resources Board

1001 “I” Street, P.O. Box 2815

Sacramento, California 95812

Electronic submittal: dbloudof@arb.ca.gov

 

The public workshop will have teleconference capabilities. To participate, dial

(888) 677-0331 and give the Participant Code: 17234. For international calls, dial

(517) 268-4943. 

 

Low Volume Manufacturers Act of 2011

On October 27, 2011, Rep. Campbell (R-CA) introduced  legislation that would essentially exempt  manufacturers producing one thousand vehicles per year or less from the safety standards and allow them to bypass the EPA certification system by using previously certified engines that are compliant with the OBD II evap standards.  The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.  It is co-sponsored by Representatives Posey (R-FL), Manzullo (R-IL), Blackburn (R-TN), Hunter (R-CA), and Barrow (D-GA). 

 

Fuel Economy Label Information for 2012 Model Year

On August 8, 2011, EPA issued a “Dear Manufacturer” letter (CISD-11-11) discussing the following:

• Information necessary to print fuel economy labels;
• Instructions for submitting information to EPA for the Fuel Economy Guide for alternative-fueled vehicles, CNG vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and sport utility vehicles;
• Instructions and guidance for manufacturers who voluntarily wish to use the new 2013 labeling requirements for 2012 vehicles;
• The timetable for inclusion of fuel economy label values in the 2012 model year Fuel Economy Guide.

For a copy of the letter, click Download CISD-11-11.

 

EPA Proposed Draft Guidance on Certification Requirements for Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines Using SCR

 

On June 7, 2011, the EPA published a notice in the Federal Register at 76 FR 32886 requesting comment on draft guidance for complying with adjustable parameter regulations at 40 CFR 86.094-22 as they apply to certification of on-highway heavy-duty diesel engines using SCR.  Once finalized, this guidance will be used by EPA in reviewing applications for certification involving SCR received on or after the effective date of the guidance. 

Comments will be due 30 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.

Docket reference: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0444

EPA contact: Greg Orehowsky, Heavy-Duty and Nonraod Engine Group, Compliance and Innovative Strategies Division, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, (202) 343-9292,orehowsky.gregory@epa.gov.

 

Proposed New Fuel Economy Label

EPA has released proposed revisions to the fuel economy label for the 2012 model year.  The updated label will provide new information to consumers about the fuel economy and consumption, fuel costs, and environmental impacts (tailpipe emissions) associated with the operation of new cars and light-duty trucks. The updated label will also be applicable to advanced technology vehicles, including electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, poised to enter the U.S. market.

For a copy of the proposal and related documents, go to http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/regulations.htm

SAE Publishes Long-awaited J1711 Recommended Practice for Measuring the Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Economy of Hybrid-Electric Vehicles, Including Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

On June 8th, SAE published a revised version of SAE J1711, Recommended Practice for Measuring the Exhaust Emissions and Fuel Economy of Hybrid-Electric Vehicles, Including Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles.  This SAE Recommended Practice establishes uniform chassis dynamometer test procedures for hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) that are designed to be driven on public roads. The procedure provides instructions for measuring and calculating the exhaust emissions and fuel economy of HEV's driven on the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) and the Highway Fuel Economy Driving Schedule (HFEDS), as well as the exhaust emissions of HEVs driven on the US06 Driving Schedule (US06) and the SC03 Driving Schedule (SC03). To purchase the standard from SAE, click here.

EPA/Manufacturer Meeting Announced for June 17 (for light duty vehicle mfrs)

There will be an EPA/Manufacturer meeting in Ann Arbor on June 17, 2010.  The meeting is primarily intended for the light-duty industry to update and inform them on a wide variety of issues including the greenhouse gas rule, the fuel economy labeling rule, Verify, and diesel SCR.  EPA encourages all light-duty vehicle manufacturers to attend.  A webinar option is being offered.  For more information about the meeting and the webinar, see http://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=22420&flag=1