Proposed Changes to LEV Program

This page last reviewed November 23, 2004

Summary of Proposed Amendments to California's
Low Emission Vehicle Regulations "LEV II"

The mobile source element of California's 1994 State Implementation Plan ("SIP") calls for adoption of technology-based emission control strategies for light-duty vehicles (Measure M2 - Improved Control Technologies for Light-Duty Vehicles) that anticipate emission reductions of 25 tons per day (tpd) ROG plus NOx in 2010. The scheduled implementation date for this measure is 2004. In addition to Measure M2, the SIP recognizes that areas designated as extreme ozone nonattainment (specifically, the South Coast Air Basin) may need to rely on the development of additional technology measures as specified in Section 182(e)(5) of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 ("CAA") in order to achieve required air quality goals. The amount of emission reductions needed from the South Coast Air Basin is approximately 75 tpd ROG plus NOx (the inventory of these emissions is referred to as the "Black Box").

The amendments being proposed in this rulemaking will attempt to meet the emission reduction goals of M2 as well as attempt to achieve additional reductions attributable to the "Black Box." A Board hearing is scheduled for November 5, 1998, to consider the LEV II proposal. The proposal consists of seven elements:

1.	Lower Tailpipe Standards, Including a New Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) Category, for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles Up to 8,500 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight (Table 1)
2.	Lower Fleet Average Standards for Passenger Cars and the Newly Restructured Light-Duty Truck 2 (LDT2) Category
3.	Lower Particulate Matter Emission Standards for Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles
4.	Partial ZEV Credits for Very Clean Technologies (i.e., Fuel Cell Vehicles, Hybrid-Electric Vehicles)
5.	Zero-Evaporative Standards
6.	Modifications to the Smog Index Labels to Reflect the Proposed Standards Beyond 2003
7.	Modifications to the Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Test Procedures Designed to Better Measure Real World Emissions of These Vehicles

Table 1
Proposed LEV II Exhaust Emission Standards (gm/mi)
Vehicle Emission Category	Durability Vehicle Basis	NMOG	CO	NOx	PM*
TLEV	50,000	0.125	3.4	0.4
TLEV	120,000	0.156	4.2	0.6	0.04
LEV	50,000	0.075	3.4	0.05
LEV	120,000	0.090	4.2	0.07	0.01
ULEV	50,000	0.040	1.7	0.05
ULEV	120,000	0.055	2.1	0.07	0.01
SULEV	120,000	0.010	1.0	0.02	0.01
* Diesel Vehicles Only
Note: Changes from LEV I in bold type.

Lower Emission Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles

The LEV II regulatory proposal requires all light-duty LEVs and ULEVs beginning with the 2004 model year to meet a 0.05 gm/mi NOx standard (hydrocarbon standards for these categories will not change under this proposal). Prior to the 2004 model year, the regulation requires LEVs and ULEVs to meet a 0.2 g/mi NOx standard. The more stringent requirement is needed to help reach the emission reduction goals of the SIP for light-duty vehicles (Measure M2) and would achieve additional reductions attributable to the "black box."

Light-Duty Truck and Medium-Duty Vehicle Reclassification

When the light-duty truck (LDT) and medium-duty vehicle (MDV) categories were first established, the majority of vehicles in these categories were primarily used for work purposes (e.g., a Ford F250 was used by electricians, plumbers, painters, etc.). Because these work vehicles have a higher load carrying capacity and are potentially subject to more rigorous operating conditions, separate and less stringent emission standards were developed that allowed for more severe emission deterioration. The high sales numbers of full size pick-up trucks, and the more recent introduction of extremely popular sport utility vehicles (SUVs), however, has greatly altered the light- and medium-duty truck categories. Whereas these vehicles were traditionally used for work purposes, it is now very common for trucks and SUVs to be used primarily for personal transportation (i.e., as passenger cars). In addition SUVs have been increasing in market share and now constitute almost 15 percent of the vehicle market. Automotive News (October 13, 1997) reports that the U.S. vehicle market, "once dominated by cars, is approaching a car / light-duty truck split" with cars declining from 80 percent in 1980 to 54 percent in 1997. Light trucks (including SUVs) have increased from 20 percent in 1980 to almost 46 percent in 1997. This trend has a substantial impact on California's air quality because, although these vehicles are used as passenger cars, they are certified to the more lenient emission standards designed for work trucks.

ARB emission standards traditionally do not differentiate passenger cars on the basis of their curb weight. Heavier, larger passengers cars have been required to meet the same emission standards as the smallest models and even though they can be used for towing or carrying moderate loads, they are used primarily for personal transportation needs. With the substantial increase in the number of pick-up trucks, SUVs, and minivans being used primarily for the same purposes as passenger cars, ARB believes that they should also be required to meet passenger car emission standards. Therefore, staff is proposing a reclassification of the light-duty truck and medium-duty vehicle categories.

Particulate Matter (PM) Standards

The effects of particulate matter (PM) on health and visibility are becoming an increasing concern. Due to their negative health effects, PM emissions of 2.5 microns or less in size are of special concern. In response to these concerns, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated new ambient air quality standards for PM less than 2.5 microns. The effect of this action is to increase emphasis on reducing emissions of the smallest particles, which are typically emitted by combustion sources. Since mobile source emissions are a major contributor to PM of less than 2.5 microns, staff is proposing a full useful life PM standard of 0.010 gm/mile for light-duty vehicles and trucks less than 8500 lbs. gross vehicle weight certifying to LEV, ULEV, and SULEV standards beginning in 2004. Vehicles certifying to TLEV standards would be required to meet a full useful life PM standard of 0.04 gm/mi. These standards would provide an upper limit on PM emissions from vehicles used for personal transportation.

Partial ZEV Credit Proposal

A number of new propulsion systems are emerging with surprisingly low emission characteristics. Some of these vehicles include natural gas and advanced gasoline conventional vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles, certain types of hybrid electric vehicles and others. Some of these vehicles may require incentives to help build sales volume to achieve the economies of scale needed for them to be competitive in the market-place. Therefore, ARB is considering providing partial ZEV credits to the cleanest technologies that provide near zero emissions.

Zero-Evaporative Emission Proposal

In 1990, the Board adopted an enhanced evaporative emission regulation that was designed to more effectively control evaporative emissions from motor vehicles during summer months when high ambient temperatures exacerbated the potential for high evaporative emissions. Despite the implementation of this more stringent evaporative emission regulation, evaporative reactive organic gas (ROG) emissions remain greater than the exhaust ROG emissions from passenger car low-emission vehicle and cleaner vehicle categories. Therefore, in order to achieve greater reductions in motor vehicle inventory ROG emissions, staff is proposing to increase the stringency of the evaporative emission standards.

LEV II Program