Evaporative Emission Controls for On-Road Motor Vehicles
This page last reviewed September 17, 2012
Background
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) administers a
program for reducing evaporative and refueling emissions from on-road motor vehicles.
These reductions are accomplished using specific emission standards and test procedures.
What's New...
On August 7, 2012, the California Office of Administrative Law approved ARB’s LEV III amendments as
part of the Advanced Clean Cars Program. These amendments, adopted by ARB on March 22, 2012, include the introduction of
zero-evaporative emission standards for all vehicle classes, with full phase-in by model year 2022. Also, refueling test procedures
were updated. For more information, refer to the Formal Rulemaking Documents.
Current Regulations and Test Procedures
- “California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles,” adopted August 5, 1999, last amended March 22, 2012. (PDF – 1M)
- “California Refueling Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles,” adopted August 5, 1999, last amended March 22, 2012. (PDF – 200K)
- Authority for controlling on-road motor vehicle evaporative and refueling emissions is established in Sections 1976 and 1978, title 13, California Code of Regulations. These regulations, as last amended March 22, 2012, can be found by referring to the table of contents within “The California Low-Emission Vehicle Regulations.” (PDF – 1M)
Previous Rulemakings
-
Emission Warranty Amendments
In 2010, the evaporative and refueling emission regulations were amended as part of the emission warranty information reporting and recall rulemaking, which repealed the originally approved reporting and recall requirements of 2007. For more information, refer to the Formal Rulemaking Documents of the 2010 rulemaking and of the 2007 rulemaking. -
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Amendments
In 2009, the evaporative and refueling emission regulations were amended to incorporate test procedures for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. -
Evaporative Test Procedure Streamlining Amendments
In 2006, ARB adopted technical amendments for streamlining the evaporative and refueling emission test procedures, without affecting the stringency of the existing emission standards. -
LEV II Amendments
In 1999, the evaporative emission standards were significantly reduced as part of the LEV II rulemaking.
Archive
- "California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 1978 Through 2000 Model Motor Vehicles," last amended August 5,1999. (PDF - 200K)
- "California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 1978 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles," as last amended May 22, 1997. (PDF - 200K)
- "California Refueling Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 1998 Through 2000 Model Motor Vehicles," last amended August 5, 1999. (PDF - 100K)
- 1997 rulemaking on enhanced evaporative emission requirements for ultra-small volume manufacturers.
- 2003 minor amendments to the refueling emission requirements as part of the Heavy-Duty Gasoline Engines and Low-Emission Vehicle Rulemaking.
Where Can I Get More Information?
For more information, please contact Jason Gordon, Emission Research Section, at (626) 575-7068.
