Proposed Amendments to the Alternative Fuel Conversion Certification Procedures for New and In-Use Vehicles and Engines

This page last reviewed February 27, 2013


Background

California Air Resources Board (ARB) staff is now seeking input on proposed amendments to the alternative fuel conversion certification procedures for both new and in-use vehicles and engines. California regulations prohibit the conversion of previously ARB certified vehicles and engines to operate on an alternative fuel, such as natural gas or propane, in lieu of the original gasoline or diesel fuel unless the conversion has been evaluated and certified by ARB. Recent changes adopted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to its procedures for certifying alternative fuel conversions has prompted numerous inquiries from alternative fuel conversion system manufacturers. California’s certification requirements for alternative fuel conversions are different than U.S. EPA’s requirements. However, in response to comments received, ARB staff is considering changes to the procedures used by ARB staff to certify conversions of both new and in-use vehicles and engines to use alternative fuels. Staff is developing a proposal for Board’s consideration later this year and encourages alternative fuel conversion system manufacturers and other interested parties to participate in the regulatory development process.

For more information about the current alternative fuel conversion certification procedures for new and in-use on-road vehicles and engines, please go here.

What's New

January 22, 2013:

The Air Resources Board conducted a public workshop in El Monte, California to discuss proposed amendments to the alternative fuel conversion certification procedures for new and in-use vehicles and engines. See Mail-out MSC 12-27 below.
  • Workshop Notice (PDF - 92K)
  • Workshop Presentation (PDF - 226K)
  • Letter from ARB to Mr. Peter F. Ward, Principal, Alternative Fuels Advocates, LLC, "Streamlining of Certain Natural Gas / Propane Vehicle and Engine Certification Procedures." (PDF - 792K)
  • Letter from ARB to Mr. Tim Carmichael, President, California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, "Suggested Improvements To ARB's Certification and OBD Requirements for NGVs From Small Volume Manufacturers." (PDF - 409K)

August 14, 2012:

The Air Resources Board conducted a public workshop to discuss current alternate fuel conversion requirements for new and used vehicles and engines used in such vehicles. See Mail-out MSO 2012-02 below.
  • MSO 2012-02, Public Workshop to Discuss Current Alternate Fuel Conversion Requirements for New and Used Vehicles and Engines used in Such Vehicles (PDF - 47K)
  • Workshop Slide Presentation (PDF - 1.97M)
  • Workshop Slide Presentation, OBD II Specific (PDF - 586K)
  • Draft Guidelines for Alternate Fuel Vehicle OBD II Certification
    1. Here will you find the DRAFT "Guidelines for Alternate Fuel Vehicle On-Board Diagnostic II (OBD II) Certification" mail-out that was made available at the ARB public workshop concerning the current alternate fuel conversion requirements for new and used vehicles and engines used in such vehicles (held on August 14, 2012). Please note that this is not the finalized "official" ARB mail-out that will be released by ARB at a later date. (PDF - 144K)
    2. Summary of California and U.S. EPA certification requirements for new and aftermarket alternative fuel conversions. (PDF - 22K)

Stay Informed


To receive information on postings to this website please sign-up on the altfuelconv list serve.

Contacts


For more information, please contact Dean Bloudoff, Air Resources Engineer, at (916) 322-8987 or Craig Duehring, manager, at (916) 323-2361

preload