Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV II) Program

This page last reviewed February 13, 2009

Following a November 5, 1998, hearing, the Air Resources Board (ARB) amended California's Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) regulations. The new amendments, known as LEV II, will advance the state's clean air goals through improved emission reduction standards for automobiles.

California Low-Emission Vehicle
Regulations and Test Procedures
(As of February 17, 2007)		 View the latest "clean" versions (without underline and strikeout) of the ARB's regulations and most of the Test Procedures for low-emission vehicles and zero-emission vehicles, as of February 17, 2007.
They include the major "LEV II" and "CAP 2000" amendments that were adopted following a November 5, 1998 hearing; these amendments were formally adopted by the ARB on August 5, 1999, and, after approval by the California Office of Administrative Law on October 28, 1999, became operative November 27, 1999.
Formal Regulatory Documents
for LEV II Regulation.		 Please click here to view the formal regulatory documents such as the hearing notice, staff report and proposed regulatory documents for the LEV II regulation.
December 7, 2000 Hearing
(Formal Regulatory Documents Page)		 Rulemaking to Consider Requiring Certain California Light- and Medium-Duty Vehicles to be Subject to Federal Tier 2 Exhaust Emission Standards, and Adopting Additional Exhaust Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Gasoline Vehicles and Engines.
November 15, 2001 Hearing
(Formal Regulatory Documents Page)		 Rulemaking to consider modifications to the LEV II regulations to establish particulate matter standards for gasoline vehicles and make various other minor changes.
December 12, 2002 Hearing
(Formal Regulatory Documents Page)		 Rulemaking to consider minor amendments to the LEV II regulations and to adopt additional exhaust emission standards for 2008 and subsequent model heavy-duty gasoline vehicles and engines.

Informal Regulatory Development Documents for LEV II Amendments
Below are the informal regulatory documents related to the LEV II amendments. These are listed for their historical value.
July 13, 1998 - Supplemental Notice for the July 22, 1998 Meeting
Proposal to provide non-methane organic gas credits utilizing an ozone reducing catalyst coating on the radiator or other supporting substrates or (PDF - 11K). And for this document there is an addendum or (PDF - 21K)                
July 1, 1998 - Preliminary Draft LEV II and "CAP 2000"
The following preliminary draft documents dated July 1, 1998, encompass the LEV II proposal and amendments being proposed in conjunction with the federal CAP 2000 program being formulated by U.S. EPA. A workshop is scheduled for July 22, 1998, to discuss the elements of this proposal to be formally considered by the Board in November. The key documents are:
  • Meeting Notice Re: Proposed Amendments to California Exhaust, Evaporative and Refueling Emission Standards and Test Procedures for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks and Medium-Duty Vehicles or (PDF - 13K)

  • Preliminary Staff Report - Proposed Amendments to California's Low-Emission Vehicle Regulations or (PDF - 301K)

    • Appendix A - Proposed Regulation Order or (PDF - 183K)

    • Appendix B - Proposed Modifications to the Light-Duty Test Procedures or (PDF - 29K)

      • California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles

      • California Zero-Emission Vehicle and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2003 and Subsequent Model Years for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles or (PDF - 88K)

    • Appendix C - Proposed Modifications to the Evaporative Test Procedures or (PDF - 7K)

      • California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles or (PDF - 199K)

    • Appendix D - Proposed Modifications to the Refueling Test Procedures or (PDF - 5K)

      • California Refueling Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles or (PDF - 22K)

    • Appendix E - Proposed Modifications to the Assembly-Line Test Procedures or (PDF - 5K)

      • California Assembly-Line Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-DutyTrucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles or (PDF - 15K)                                              

    • Appendix F - Proposed Modifications to the New Vehicle Test Procedures or (PDF - 6K)

      • California New Vehicle Compliance Test Procedures or (PDF - 13K)

    • Appendix G - Proposed Modifications to the Label Specifications or (PDF - 4K)

      • California Motor Vehicle Emission Control and Smog Index Label Specifications or (PDF - 58K)               

    • Appendix H - Evaporative Emission Test Plan or (PDF - 21K)
If you would like a hard copy of these documents, please provide your name and address and mail or fax to:

Ms. Donna Barragan
Mobile Source Control Division
9528 Telstar Avenue
El Monte, CA 91731

Phone: (626) 575-7010
Fax: (626) 575-6699

December 9-10, 1997 Workshop Materials
  • Presentation Slides from the LEV II Workshop in El Monte (Zip - 362K)

  • Meeting Notice Re: Proposed Amendments to California Exhaust, Evaporative and Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery Emission Standards and Test Procedures for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks and Medium-Duty Vehicles or (PDF - 12K)

  • Draft Preliminary Staff Report - Proposed Amendments to California's Low-Emission Vehicle Regulations or (PDF - 84K)
Where Can I Get More Information?
If you would like more information, please call Paul Hughes at (626) 575-6977.


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