The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is establishing a manufacturer-run, in-use emissions testing program for 2007 and later model year heavy-duty diesel vehicles, according to a final rule published June 14 in the Federal Register.
The program will require engine manufacturers to measure exhaust emissions from their diesel engines using portable emissions measurement systems.
Also for the first time, all manufacturers will be regularly providing EPA with a significant quantity of emissions data generated from engines used in regular service.
EPA will evaluate the data to ensure the engines comply with specified emissions requirements.
The rule is a result of an agreement between EPA and the Engine Manufacturers Association, according to EPA.
The final rule (40 CFR Parts 9 and 86) becomes effective August 15, 2005.
The EPA action affects those companies that produce or import new heavy-duty diesel engines which are intended for use in highway vehicles such as trucks and buses, or produce or import such highway vehicles, or convert heavy-duty vehicles or heavy-duty engines used in highway vehicles to use alternative fuels.
To see more about the rule, click here for the Federal Register.