California Air Resources Board Adopts New Test Procedures to Reflect Real- World Driving Conditions
24 July 1997
California Air Resources Board Adopts New Test Procedures to Reflect Real- World Driving Conditions
SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 24 -- California's Air Resources
Board (ARB) today adopted new test procedures and emission standards that
require manufacturers of passenger cars and light and medium duty trucks to
better control emissions during high-speed driving and when air conditioning
units are in operation.
Air Resources Board Chairman John Dunlap said, "These new standards
continue California's worldwide leadership in motor vehicle pollution control
by limiting emissions under virtually all driving conditions including high
speed operation and air conditioning use."
When introduced, the new tests and emission standards will affect new
2001 and later model Low Emission Vehicles (LEV), Ultra Low Emission Vehicles
(ULEV) and Super Low Emission Vehicles (SULEV) sold in California. Those
standards, which result from a five year cooperative effort between the ARB,
US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and auto makers, will enhance
California's already advanced motor vehicle standards and are expected to cut
an added 133 tons of ozone forming hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions
per day by 2020.
ARB member Joseph Calhoun said, "This regulation represents one of the
most significant emission reduction measures in years. ARB staff has worked
well with USEPA and auto manufacturers to develop a comprehensive package to
effectively reduce emissions from new motor vehicles."
The new test procedures, which measure motor vehicle emissions at speeds
up to 80 miles per hour, compared to the 57 mph maximum of the current Federal
Test Procedures (FTP), reflect identical actions taken by USEPA in October
1996 and are designed to allow automotive manufacturers to submit vehicles to
just one set of tests nationwide. However, because in 2001 nearly all new
California vehicles will meet at least LEV emission standards, compared to
less stringent USEPA standards, California's new standards will result in less
air pollution.
In order to develop the new test procedures and emission standards the ARB
and USEPA conducted research on how vehicles are normally driven. Those tests
determined that vehicles driven under aggressive conditions emit much more
carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxides than other vehicles. During
a 1990 ARB test program, some vehicles emitted as much carbon monoxide in ten
seconds as would normally be emitted in 20 minutes. Other tests showed that
about 28 percent of all vehicle miles driven are outside of the parameters of
the FTP test procedures.
The emission standards for vehicles operating at high speeds or under
stressful loads will reduce those emissions by about 50 percent from new,
low-mileage passenger cars. The standard for vehicles with operating air
conditioners is expected to reduce emissions by about 50 percent, compared to
present emission rates. The ARB estimates that the new standards could cost
between $29.00 and $39.00 per vehicle to implement.
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental
Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health,
welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air
pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB
oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and
maintain health based air quality standards.
SOURCE California Air Resources Board
