Modifications in Testing Process for Tier 3 Car Emissions Certification Utilizing Alternative Fuels
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a rule to transition the test fuel used for Light-duty Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Standards and Fuel Economy Standards from zero percent ethanol to ten percent ethanol (E10). This change is critical to align regulatory test fuels more closely with the real-world fuel supply, where E10 is commonly used, thus improving accuracy in emissions and fuel economy reporting.
Key details of the proposal include:
- The transition to ten percent ethanol in test fuel for light-duty vehicles, replacing the prior zero percent ethanol requirement.
- This aligns with EPA’s broader efforts to support biofuel use under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and to better reflect current fuel blends in the regulatory framework.
- The proposal likely affects compliance testing and certification processes for automakers, requiring adjustments to their vehicle emissions and fuel economy testing procedures.
The EPA is holding a virtual public hearing due to the national emergency and COVID-19 restrictions. The hearing will provide an opportunity for interested parties to present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposal. Registration for the hearing is required, even if individuals do not intend to provide testimony. The hearing registration deadline has been extended to Friday, July 10th. More information on how to register can be found in the public hearing notice.
A Proposed Rule Notice (PDF) was published on May 13, 2020, and a Notice of public hearing (PDF) has been published on July 2, 2020. A Public Hearing Transcript for Tier 3 Certification Test Fuel Proposal is also available.
The rule is associated with the following references: 40 CFR Part 86 and 40 CFR Part 600, and EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0604. The CDC and state and local orders for social distancing are the reasons for the virtual public hearing.
For additional resources and detailed information, monitoring the EPA’s website and the Federal Register is recommended as the formal rulemaking process progresses. The EPA's Tier 3 criteria pollutant emissions standards for light-duty vehicles already use E10 as the test fuel.
The rule is categorized under "Rule Summary".
[1] News and analysis sources discuss EPA’s biofuel blending policies and challenges, including refinery waivers and biofuel growth outlooks, which affect the ethanol blending environment. [2] Legislative developments in some states (e.g., California) may impact ethanol fuel sales and regulations, relevant to EPA’s regulatory environment. [3] The Federal Register posting for related EPA biofuel and waiver rules provides context on EPA’s approach to biofuel volumes and mandates, such as the partial waiver of the 2024 cellulosic biofuel volume in the RFS program.
- The transition to using ten percent ethanol in regulatory test fuels for light-duty vehicles, as proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), could potentially impact the environmental-science sector, as it aligns with the EPA's broader efforts to support biofuel use under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and may influence the accuracy of emissions and fuel economy reporting, a key concern in both the industry and the finance sectors, due to its potential effects on energy consumption.
- As the rulemaking process progresses for the EPA's proposed transition of test fuel for light-duty vehicles from zero percent ethanol to ten percent ethanol (E10), it is essential for stakeholders to monitor updates on the EPA's website and the Federal Register, as legislative developments in states like California and EPA's biofuel policies and waiver rules can significantly impact the ethanol blending environment and the regulatory framework, affecting various sectors including science, industry, finance, and environmental-science.
