California Code of Regulations › Title 13 - Motor Vehicles › Division 3 - Air Resources Board › Chapter 1 - Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Devices › Article 2 - Approval of Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Devices (New Vehicles) › Section 1961 - Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures - 2004 Through 2019 Model Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
Introduction
. This section
					 1961 contains the California "LEV
					 II" exhaust emission standards for 2004 through 2019 model passenger cars,
					 light-duty trucks and medium-duty vehicles. A manufacturer must demonstrate
					 compliance with the exhaust standards in section
					 1961(a)
					 applicable to specific test groups, and with the composite phase-in
					 requirements in section
					 1961(b)
					 applicable to the manufacturer's entire fleet. Section
					 1961(b) also
					 includes the manufacturer's fleet-wide composite phase-in requirements for the
					 2001 - 2003 model years.
Prior to the 2004 model year, a manufacturer that produces
					 vehicles that meet the standards in section
					 1961(a) has the
					 option of certifying the vehicles to those standards, in which case the
					 vehicles will be treated as LEV II vehicles for purposes of the fleet-wide
					 phase-in requirements. Similarly, 2004 - 2006 model-year vehicles may be
					 certified to the "LEV I" exhaust emission standards in section
					 1960.1(g)(1) and
					 (h)(2), in which case the vehicles will be
					 treated as LEV I vehicles for purposes of the fleet-wide phase-in
					 requirements.
A manufacturer has the option of certifying engines used in
					 incomplete and diesel medium-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating
					 of greater than 8,500 lbs. to the heavy-duty engine standards and test
					 procedures set forth in title 13, CCR, sections
					 1956.8(c), (g) and
					 (h).
(a)
Exhaust Emission
				  Standards.
(1) "
LEV II"
				  Exhaust Standards.
The following standards are the maximum exhaust
				  emissions for the intermediate and full useful life from new 2004 through 2019
				  model-year "LEV II" LEVs, ULEVs, and SULEVs, including fuel-flexible, bi-fuel
				  and dual fuel vehicles when operating on the gaseous or alcohol fuel they are
				  designed to use. 2015 - 2019 model-year LEV II LEV vehicles may be certified to
				  the 150,000 mile NMOG+NOx emission standards for LEV160, LEV395, or LEV630, as
				  applicable, in subsection
				  1961.2(a)(1) and
				  the corresponding NMOG+NOx numerical values in subsection
				  1961.2(a)(4), in
				  lieu of the separate NMOG and NOx exhaust emission standards in this subsection
				  (a)(1) and subsection (a)(4) and LEV II ULEV vehicles may be certified to the
				  150,000 mile NMOG+NOx emission standards for ULEV125, ULEV340, or ULEV570, as
				  applicable, in subsection
				  1961.2(a)(1) and
				  the corresponding NMOG+NOx numerical values in subsection
				  1961.2(a)(4), in
				  lieu of the separate NMOG and NOx exhaust emission standards in this subsection
				  (a)(1) and the corresponding NMOG numerical values in subsection (a)(4). 2015 -
				  2019 model-year LEV II SULEV vehicles that receive a partial ZEV allowance in
				  accordance with the "California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures
				  for 2009 through 2017 Model Zero-Emission Vehicles and Hybrid Electric
				  Vehicles, in the Passenger Car, Light-Duty Truck and Medium-Duty Vehicle
				  Classes" and 2015 - 2016 model year vehicles that are allowed to certify to LEV
				  II SULEV standards using "carryover" of emission test data under the provisions
				  in subsection
				  1961.2(b)(2) may
				  be certified to the 150,000 mile NMOG+NOx emission standards for SULEV30,
				  SULEV170, or SULEV230, as applicable, in subsection
				  1961.2(a)(1) and
				  the corresponding NMOG+NOx numerical values in subsection
				  1961.2(a)(4), in
				  lieu of the separate NMOG and NOx exhaust emission standards in this subsection
				  (a)(1) and the corresponding NMOG numerical values in subsection (a)(4). LEV II
				  SULEV vehicles that do not either (1) receive a partial ZEV allowance or (2)
				  certify to LEV II SULEV standards in the 2015 - 2016 model years using
				  "carryover" of emission test data may not certify to combined NMOG+NOx
				  standards.
LEV II Exhaust Mass Emission
							 Standards for New 2004 through 2019 Model LEVs, ULEVs, and SULEVs in the
							 Passenger Car, Light-Duty Truck and Medium-Duty Vehicle Classes
Vehicle
							 Type
Durability Vehicle Basis
							 (mi)
Vehicle Emission
							 Category
NMOG
							 (g/mi)
Carbon Monoxide
							 (g/mi)
Oxides of Nitrogen
							 (g/mi)
Formaldehyde
							 (mg/mi)
Particulates
							 (g/mi)
All PCs; LDTs 8500 lbs. GVWR or
							 less
50,000
LEV
0.075
3.4
0.05
15
n/a
LEV, Option
							 1
0.075
3.4
0.07
15
n/a
Vehicles in this category are tested at their
							 loaded
ULEV
0.040
1.7
0.05
8
n/a
vehicle
							 weight
120,000
LEV
0.090
4.2
0.07
18
0.01
LEV, Option
							 1
0.090
4.2
0.10
18
0.01
ULEV
0.055
2.1
0.07
11
0.01
SULEV
0.010
1.0
0.02
4
0.01
150,000
							 (Optional)
LEV
0.090
4.2
0.07
18
0.01
LEV, Option
							 1
0.090
4.2
0.10
18
0.01
ULEV
0.055
2.1
0.07
11
0.01
SULEV
0.010
1.0
0.02
4
0.01
MDVs 8501 -
							 10,000
120,000
LEV
0.195
6.4
0.2
32
0.12
lbs. GVWR
ULEV
0.143
6.4
0.2
16
0.06
Vehicles in this category are tested at their
							 adjusted
SULEV
0.100
3.2
0.1
8
0.06
loaded vehicle weight
150,000
							 (Optional)
LEV
0.195
6.4
0.2
32
0.12
ULEV
0.143
6.4
0.2
16
0.06
SULEV
0.100
3.2
0.1
8
0.06
MDVs 10,001-14,000 lbs.
							 GVWR
120,000
LEV
0.230
7.3
0.4
40
0.12
ULEV
0.167
7.3
0.4
21
0.06
SULEV
0.117
3.7
0.2
10
0.06
Vehicles in this
							 category
150,000
LEV
0.230
7.3
0.4
40
0.12
are tested at their
							 adjusted
(Optional)
ULEV
0.167
7.3
0.4
21
0.06
loaded vehicle weight
SULEV
0.117
3.7
0.2
10
0.06
(2)
Reactivity Adjustment in Determining Compliance with the NMOG
				  Standard
(A) The NMOG emission
				  results from all TLEVs, LEVs, ULEVs and SULEVs certifying on a fuel other than
				  conventional gasoline shall be numerically adjusted to establish an NMOG
				  exhaust mass emission value equivalent. The manufacturer shall multiply
				  measured NMOG exhaust emission results by the appropriate reactivity adjustment
				  factor set forth in section
				  1961(a)(2)(B) or
				  established in accordance with the test procedures incorporated by reference in
				  section 1961(d). The
				  reactivity adjustment factor represents the ratio of the NMOG specific
				  reactivity of a low-emission vehicle designed to operate on a fuel other than
				  conventional gasoline compared to the NMOG baseline specific reactivity of
				  vehicles in the same vehicle emission category operated on conventional
				  gasoline.
(B) The following
				  reactivity adjustment factors apply:
Light-Duty Vehicles
							 0-6000 lbs. GVW
Medium-Duty Vehicles 6001
							 lbs. - 14,000 lbs. GVW
TLEV
LEV
ULEV
LEV
ULEV
Fuel
Baseline Specific Reactivity
(grams ozone / gram
							 NMOG)
Conventional
							 Gasoline
3.42
3.13
3.13
3.13
3.13
Reactivity
							 Adjustment Factors
RFG (through the 2003 model
							 year)
0.98
0.94
0.94
0.94
0.94
M85
0.41
0.41
0.41
0.41
0.41
Natural
							 Gas
1.0
0.43
0.43
0.43
0.43
LPG
1.0
0.50
0.50
0.50
0.50
Methane
							 Reactivity Adjustment Factors
Natural
							 Gas
0.0043
0.0047
0.0047
0.0047
0.0047
(3)
LEV II NMOG Standards for
				  Bi-Fuel, Fuel-Flexible and Dual-Fuel Vehicles Operating on Gasoline.
For fuel-flexible, bi-fuel, and dual-fuel PCs, LDTs and MDVs, compliance with
				  the NMOG exhaust mass emission standards shall be based on exhaust emission
				  tests both when the vehicle is operated on the gaseous or alcohol fuel it is
				  designed to use, and when the vehicle is operated on gasoline. A manufacturer
				  must demonstrate compliance with the applicable exhaust mass emission standards
				  for NMOG, CO, NOx, and formaldehyde set forth in the table in section
				  1961(a)(1) when
				  certifying the vehicle for operation on the gaseous or alcohol fuel.
The following standards are the maximum NMOG emissions when
					 the vehicle is operating on gasoline. A manufacturer shall not apply a
					 reactivity adjustment factor to the exhaust NMOG mass emission result when
					 operating on gasoline. A manufacturer may measure NMHC in lieu of NMOG when
					 fuel-flexible, bi-fuel, and dual-fuel vehicles are operated on gasoline, in
					 accordance with the test procedures incorporated by reference in section
					 1961(d). Testing
					 at 50°F is not required for fuel-flexible, bi-fuel, and dual-fuel vehicles
					 when operating on gasoline. The applicable CO, NOx, and formaldehyde standards
					 are set forth in section
					 1961(a)(1).
LEV II NMOG Standards for
								Bi-Fuel, Fuel-Flexible and Dual-Fuel
Vehicles Operating on Gasoline
								(g/mi)
Vehicle Emission
Durability Vehicle Basis
Vehicle
							 Type
Category
50,000
							 mi
120,000 mi
All PCs;
							 LDTs,
LEV
0.125
0.156
0-8500 lbs.
							 GVWR
ULEV
0.075
0.090
SULEV
0.010
0.040
MDVs,
							 8501-10,000
LEV
n/a
0.230
lbs. GVWR
ULEV
n/a
0.167
SULEV
n/a
0.117
MDVs,
							 10,001-14,000
LEV
n/a
0.280
lbs. GVWR
ULEV
n/a
0.195
SULEV
n/a
0.143
(4)
LEV II
50°F
Exhaust Emission Standards
.
				  All LEV II light- and medium-duty LEVs, ULEVs, and SULEVs must demonstrate
				  compliance with the following exhaust emission standards for NMOG and
				  formaldehyde (HCHO) measured on the FTP ( 40 CFR, Part 86 , Subpart B)
				  conducted at a nominal test temperature of 50°F, as modified by Part II,
				  Section C of the "California 2001 through 2014 Model Criteria Pollutant Exhaust
				  Emission Standards and Test Procedures and 2009 through 2016 Model Greenhouse
				  Gas Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for Passenger Cars,
				  Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles" incorporated by reference in
				  section 1961(d). The NMOG
				  mass emission result shall be multiplied by the applicable reactivity
				  adjustment factor, if any, prior to comparing to the applicable adjusted 50,000
				  mile certification standards set forth below. A manufacturer may demonstrate
				  compliance with the NMOG and HCHO certification standards contained in this
				  subparagraph by measuring NMHC exhaust emissions or issuing a statement of
				  compliance for HCHO in accordance with Section D.1, subparagraph (p) and
				  Section G.3.1.2, respectively, of the "California 2001 through 2014 Model
				  Criteria Pollutant Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures and 2009
				  through 2016 Model Greenhouse Gas Exhaust Emission Standards and Test
				  Procedures for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles"
				  incorporated by reference in section
				  1961(d).
				  Emissions of CO and NOx measured at 50°F shall not exceed the standards set
				  forth in §
											1961(a)(1)
				  applicable to vehicles of the same emission category and vehicle type subject
				  to a cold soak and emission test at 68° to 86°F. Natural gas and
				  diesel-fueled vehicles are exempt from the 50° F test requirements.
Vehicle Weight
Class Vehicle Emission Category (g/mi)
LEV
							 NMOG
HCHO
ULEV
							 NMOG
HCHO
SULEV
							 NMOG
HCHO
PCs; LDTs 0-8500 lbs.
							 GVWR
0.150
0.030
0.080
0.016
0.020
0.008
MDVs 8501-10,000 lbs.
							 GVWR
0.390
0.064
0.286
0.032
0.200
0.016
MDVs 10,001-14,000 lbs.
							 GVWR
0.460
0.080
0.334
0.042
0.234
0.020
(5)
LEV II Cold CO Standard
. The following standards are the
				  50,000 mile cold temperature exhaust carbon monoxide emission levels from new
				  2001 through 2019 model-year LEV II passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and
				  medium-duty vehicles:
2001 THROUGH 2019 MODEL-YEAR COLD
							 TEMPERATURE CARBON MONOXIDE EXHAUST EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR LEV II PASSENGER
							 CARS, LIGHT-DUTY TRUCKS, AND MEDIUM-DUTY VEHICLES (grams per
							 mile)
Vehicle
							 Type
Carbon Monoxide
All PCs, LDTs 0-3750 lbs.
							 LVW;
10.0
LDTs, 3751 lbs. LVW - 8500 lbs. GVWR; LEV I
							 and Tier 1 MDVs 8500 lbs. GVWR and less
12.5
These standards are applicable to vehicles tested at a
					 nominal temperature of 20°F (-7°C) in accordance with 40 CFR Part 86
					 Subpart C, as amended by the "California 2001 through 2014 Model Criteria
					 Pollutant Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures and 2009 through 2016
					 Model Greenhouse Gas Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for
					 Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles" incorporated by
					 reference in section
					 1961(d). Natural
					 gas, diesel-fueled, and zero-emission vehicles are exempt from these
					 standards.
(6)
Highway NOx Standard.
The maximum emissions of oxides of
				  nitrogen measured on the federal Highway Fuel Economy Test (HWFET;
				  40 CFR
				  600 Subpart B, which is incorporated herein
				  by reference) shall not be greater than 1.33 times the applicable PC and LDT
				  standards or 2.0 times the applicable MDV standards set forth in section
				  1961(a)(1). Both
				  the projected emissions and the HWFET standard shall be rounded in accordance
				  with ASTM E29-67 to the nearest 0.1 g/mi (or 0.01 g/mi for vehicles certified
				  to the 0.05 or 0.02 g/mi NOx standards) before being compared.
(7)
Supplemental Federal Test
				  Procedure (SFTP) Off-Cycle Emission Standards.
The SFTP exhaust
				  emission levels from new 2004 through 2019 model LEV II LEVs, ULEVs, and SULEVs
				  shall not exceed the standards set forth in section
				  1960.1(r).
(8)
Requirements for Vehicles
				  Certified to the Optional 150,000 Mile Standards.
(A)
Requirement to Generate
				  Additional Fleet Average NMOG Credit.
A vehicle that is certified to
				  the 150,000 mile standards in section
				  1961(a) shall
				  generate additional NMOG fleet average credit as set forth in 1961(b)(1) or
				  additional vehicle equivalent credits as set forth in 1961(b)(2) provided that
				  the manufacturer extends the warranty on high cost parts to 8 years or 100,000
				  miles, whichever occurs first, and agrees to extend the limit on high mileage
				  in-use testing to 112,500 miles.
(B)
Requirement to Generate a Partial
				  ZEV Allowance
. A vehicle that is certified to the 150,000 mile SULEV
				  standards shall also generate a partial ZEV allocation according to the
				  criteria set forth in section C.3 of the "California Exhaust Emission Standards
				  and Test Procedures for 2005 through 2008 Model Zero-Emission Vehicles, and
				  2001 through 2008 Model Hybrid Electric Vehicles, in the Passenger Car,
				  Light-Duty Truck, and Medium-Duty Vehicle Classes," incorporated by reference
				  in section
				  1962, the "California Exhaust
				  Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2009 through 2017 Model
				  Zero-Emission Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles, in the Passenger Car,
				  Light-Duty Truck, and Medium-Duty Vehicle Classes," incorporated by reference
				  in section
				  1962.1, or the "California Exhaust
				  Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2018 and Subsequent Model
				  Zero-Emission Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles, in the Passenger Car,
				  Light-Duty Truck, and Medium-Duty Vehicle Classes," incorporated by reference
				  in section
				  1962.2, as
				  applicable.
(9)
Optional LEV II NOx Standard.
A manufacturer may certify up to
				  4% of its light-duty truck fleet from 3751 lbs. LVW - 8500 lbs. GVW with a
				  maximum base payload of 2500 lbs. or more to the LEV, option 1, standard set
				  forth in 1961(a)(1) based on projected sales of trucks in the LDT2 category.
				  Passenger cars and light-duty trucks 0-3750 lbs. LVW are not eligible for this
				  option.
(10)
Intermediate
				  In-Use Compliance Standards.
For test groups certified prior to the
				  2007 model year, the following intermediate in-use compliance standards shall
				  apply for the first two model years the test group is certified to the new
				  standard. For SULEVs certified prior to the 2004 model year, the following
				  intermediate in-use compliance SULEV standards shall apply through the 2006
				  model year.
Emission
							 Category
Durability Vehicle
							 Basis
LEV II PCs and
							 LDTs
LEV II MDVs 8500 - 10,000
							 lbs.
NMOG
NOx
GVW
							 NOx
LEV/ULEV
50,000
n/a
0.07
n/a
120,000
n/a
0.10
0.3
150,000
n/a
0.10
0.3
LEV, Option
							 1
50,000
n/a
0.10
n/a
120,000
n/a
0.14
n/a
150,000
n/a
0.14
n/a
SULEV
120,000
0.020
0.03
0.15
150,000
0.020
0.03
0.15
(11)
NMOG Credit for Vehicles with
				  Zero-Evaporative Emissions.
In determining compliance of a vehicle
				  with the applicable exhaust NMOG standard, a gram per mile NMOG factor, to be
				  determined by the Executive Officer based on available data, shall be
				  subtracted from the reactivity-adjusted NMOG exhaust emission results for any
				  vehicle that has been certified to the "zero" evaporative emission standard set
				  forth in title 13, CCR, section
				  1976(b)(1)(E).
				  This credit shall not apply to a SULEV that generates a partial ZEV
				  allowance.
(12)
NMOG Credit
				  for Direct Ozone Reduction Technology.
A manufacturer that certifies
				  vehicles equipped with direct ozone reduction technologies shall be eligible to
				  receive NMOG credits that can be applied to the NMOG exhaust emissions of the
				  vehicle when determining compliance with the standard. In order to receive
				  credit, the manufacturer must submit the following information for each vehicle
				  model, including, but not limited to:
(A) a
				  demonstration of the airflow rate through the direct ozone reduction device and
				  the ozone-reducing efficiency of the device over the range of speeds
				  encountered in the Unified Cycle Driving Schedule.
(B) an evaluation of the durability of the
				  device for the full useful life of the vehicle; and
(C) a description of the on-board diagnostic
				  strategy for monitoring the performance of the device in-use.
Using the above information, the Executive Officer shall
					 determine the value of the NMOG credit based on the calculated change in the
					 one-hour peak ozone level using an approved airshed
					 model.
(13)
NOx Credits for Pre-2004 MDVs Certified to the LEV I LEV or ULEV
				  Standards.
Prior to the 2004 model year, a manufacturer may earn a
				  0.02 g/mi per vehicle NOx credit for MDVs between 6,000-8500 lbs. GVW certified
				  to the LEV I LEV or ULEV standards for PCs and LDTs set forth in section
				  1960.1(g)(1). The
				  manufacturer may apply the credit on a per vehicle basis to the NOx emissions
				  of LDTs between 6,000-8500 lbs. GVW certified to the PC/LDT LEV or ULEV
				  standards in section
				  1961(a)(1) for
				  the 2004 through 2008 model years.
(14)
When a Federally-Certified
				  Vehicle Model is Required in California.
(A)
General Requirement.
Whenever a manufacturer federally-certifies a 2004 through 2014 model-year
				  passenger car, light-duty truck or medium-duty vehicle model to the standards
				  for a particular emissions bin that are more stringent than the standards for
				  an applicable California emission category, the equivalent California model may
				  only be certified to (i) the California standards for a vehicle emissions
				  category that are at least as stringent as the standards for the corresponding
				  federal emissions bin, or (ii) the exhaust emission standards to which the
				  federal model is certified. However, where the federal exhaust emission
				  standards for the particular emissions bin and the California standards for a
				  vehicle emissions category are equally stringent, the California model may only
				  be certified to either the California standards for that vehicle emissions
				  category or more stringent California standards. The federal emission bins are
				  those contained in Tables S
				  04-1 and S
				  04-2 of
				  40 CFR §
													86.1811-04(c) as adopted
				  February 10, 2000. The criteria for applying this requirement are set forth in
				  Part I. Section H.1 of the "California 2001 through 2014 Model Criteria
				  Pollutant Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures and 2009 through 2016
				  Model Greenhouse Gas Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for
				  Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles," as incorporated
				  by reference in section
				  1961(d).
(B)
Exception for clean fuel fleet
				  vehicles.
Section
				  1961(a)(14)(A)
				  does not apply in the case of a federally-certified vehicle model that is only
				  marketed to fleet operators for applications that are subject to clean fuel
				  fleet requirements established pursuant to section
				  246 of the federal Clean Air Act
				  (42 U.S.C. sec.
				  7586). In addition, the Executive Officer
				  shall exclude from the requirement a federally-certified vehicle model where
				  the manufacturer demonstrates to the Executive Officer's reasonable
				  satisfaction that the model will primarily be sold or leased to clean fuel
				  fleet operators for such applications, and that other sales or leases of the
				  model will be incidental to marketing to those clean fuel fleet
				  operators.
(C)
Opt-in for
				  2003 or prior model year vehicles.
A manufacturer may certify a
				  passenger car, light-duty truck or medium-duty vehicle to federal exhaust
				  emission standards pursuant to section
				  1961(a)(14)(A)
				  prior to the 2004 model year.
(15)
Emission Standard for a
				  Fuel-Fired Heater
. Whenever a manufacturer elects to utilize an
				  on-board fuel-fired heater on any passenger car, light-duty truck or
				  medium-duty vehicle, the fuel-fired heater must meet LEV II ULEV standards for
				  passenger cars and light-duty trucks less than 8,500 pounds GVW as set forth in
				  section 1961(a)(1).
				  On-board fuel-fired heaters may not be operable at ambient temperatures above
				  40°F.