Cleaner Cars and Cleaner Fuels for the 21st Century President Clinton announced December 21 the next step to provide Americans with cleaner air, cleaner cars, and cleaner gasoline. Vehicles under 6,000 pounds will be phased in between 2004 to 2007, and passenger vehicles weighing from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds will be phased in through 2009. For the first time, EPA is addressing tailpipe emissions and gasoline as a single system to achieve cleaner air in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Small refiners have additional time and flexibility to meet the sulfur standards.
For example, auto makers can manufacture vehicles that meet a range of emission limits, not to exceed 0.2 gpm, as long as the average nitrogen oxide emissions of the entire fleet remain at 0.07 gpm. Starting in 2006, the maximum amount of sulfur in most gasoline cannot exceed 80 ppm. Larger passenger vehicles, from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, will also be phased in to meet stricter standards beginning in 2004 until completed in 2009. Interim standards will apply to gasoline in the Rocky Mountain states and Alaska through 2006. The new rule allows companies to gain credits for early pollution reductions.