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Offi ce of Transportation EPA420-F-06-037 

and Air Quality May 2006 

Program

Update

Introduction of Cleaner-Burning

Diesel Fuel Enables Advanced 

Pollution Control for 

Cars, Trucks and Buses 

The low sulfur diesel fuel portion of EPA’s Heavy-Duty Highway Diesel 

rule (the “2007 Highway Rule”), which was finalized in January 2001, 

is now taking effect. Refiners will start producing the cleaner-burning 

diesel fuel, called Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), for use in highway 

vehicles beginning in June 2006. EPA estimates that this new diesel fuel 

will cost an additional 4 and 5 cents per gallon to produce and distribute. 

ULSD enables advanced pollution control technology for heavy-duty 

trucks and buses so that engine and vehicle manufacturers can meet 

the 2007 emission standards. As a result, each new truck and bus will 

be more than 90 percent cleaner than current models. The introduction 

of ULSD will also enable light-duty passenger vehicle manufacturers 

to make use of similar technologies on diesel-powered cars, SUVs and 

light-trucks. 

Overview 

EPA’s Clean Air Highway Diesel final rule requires a 97 percent reduction in the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel, from its current level of 

500 parts per million (ppm), to 15 ppm. ULSD will be available at retail 

stations beginning this summer. Cars, trucks and buses with advanced 

pollution control will be available beginning in the autumn of 2006. 

By addressing diesel fuel and engines together as a single system, this 

program will provide annual emission reductions equivalent to removing 
the pollution from more than 90 percent of today’s trucks and buses, or 

about 13 million trucks and buses, when the current heavy-duty vehicle 

fleet has been completely replaced in 2030. This is the greatest reduction 

in harmful emissions of soot, or particulate matter (PM), ever achieved 

from cars and trucks. 

Public Health Benefits 

Once this action is fully implemented, environmental benefi ts include: 

• 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions will be reduced each year. 

• PM will be reduced by 110,000 tons per year. 

In the long term, this program will result in more than $70 billion annually in environmental and public health benefits at a cost of $4 billion 

per year. 

Health benefits will include the annual prevention of: 

• 8,300 premature deaths 

• 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis 

• 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children 

• 360,000 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children 

• 1.5 million lost work days 

• 7,100 hospital visits 

• 2,400 emergency room visits for asthma 

Smog causes a range of health problems related to breathing, including 

chest pain, coughing, and shortness of breath. Soot is deposited deep in 

the lungs and causes premature death, increased emergency room visits, 

and increased respiratory symptoms and disease. With both smog and 

soot, children and the elderly are most at risk. Smog and soot also adversely affect the environment in various ways, including crop damage, 

acid rain, and visibility impairment. 

Lead Time 

EPA provided significant lead time for refiners and other parties throughout the fuel production and distribution industry to ensure a smooth transition to ULSD. Although the fuel provisions go into effect in June 2006, 

they will be phased in through 2009. EPA also provided special hardship 

provisions for small refiners to minimize their economic costs. 

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Stakeholder Outreach 

Since the standards were finalized in 2001, EPA has worked with the regulated community and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition. 

We co-sponsored and participated in numerous workshops and technology review panels, and issued progress reports, and guidance documents. 

Where necessary, we have also issued several technical amendments to 

the regulations to ensure a smooth introduction of the program. 

In late 2005, EPA began participating with the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance, a group of more than 20 industry, government, and consumer organizations that are working together to provide information on the benefits 

of ULSD and cleaner-burning diesel cars, trucks and buses. 

For More Information 

For more information on this program, please visit the following Web 

sites: 

• 2007 Heavy-Duty Highway Rule: www.epa.gov/otaq/highway-diesel/ 

regs/2007-heavy-duty-highway.htm 

• EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign: www.epa.gov/cleandiesel 

• Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance: www.clean-diesel.org 

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