Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110
§7583 Standards for Light-duty Clean-fuel Vehicles
Title 42 › CHAPTER 85 — AIR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL › SUBCHAPTER II — EMISSION STANDARDS FOR MOVING SOURCES › Part C — Clean Fuel Vehicles › § 7583
Summary
Sets limits on tailpipe pollution for clean-fuel light cars and light trucks based on weight and model year. For vehicles up to 6,000 lbs. GVWR (with smaller LVW subgroups), Phase I limits began with model year 1996 and set grams-per-mile caps for NMOG, CO, NOx, particulate matter (PM, only for diesel), and formaldehyde, with useful-life test levels at 50,000 or 100,000 miles. Phase II began with model year 2001 and makes many limits stricter. Trucks over 6,000 lbs. GVWR up to 8,500 lbs. follow similar standards starting with model year 1998 and use 50,000- and 120,000-mile useful lives for certification. Vehicles that can run on more than one fuel and weigh no more than 8,500 lbs. GVWR (from model year 1996) must meet the same CO, NOx, and formaldehyde limits as single-fuel models and PM limits if appropriate. They also have specific NMOG limits when running on the clean alternative fuel and when running on conventional fuel, shown with 50,000/100,000/120,000 mile useful lives in the tables. California rules may replace these federal limits if approved and at least as protective; if California adopts several qualifying sets, the least strict one applies. If California lowers or delays its rules after November 15, 1990, those weaker or delayed rules apply temporarily for up to 2 model years, after which the federal limits apply. These rules do not cover heavy-duty engines in vehicles over 8,500 lbs. GVWR.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §7583
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Exhaust standards for light-duty vehicles and certain light-duty trucks
The standards set forth in this subsection shall apply in the case of clean-fuel vehicles which are light-duty trucks of up to 6,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) (but not including light-duty trucks of more than 3,750 lbs. loaded vehicle weight (lvw)) or light-duty vehicles:
(1)Phase I
Beginning with model year 1996, for the air pollutants specified in the following table, the clean-fuel vehicle standards under this section shall provide that vehicle exhaust emissions shall not exceed the levels specified in the following table:
Phase I Clean Fuel Vehicle Emission Standards for Light-Duty Trucks of up to 3,750 Lbs. LVW and up to 6,000 Lbs. GVWR and Light-Duty Vehicles
Pollutant | NMOG | CO | NOx | PM | HCHO (formaldehyde)
Standards are expressed in grams per mile (gpm).
*Standards for particulates (PM) shall apply only to diesel-fueled vehicles.
In the case of the 50,000 mile standards and the 100,000 mile standards, for purposes of certification, the applicable useful life shall be 50,000 miles or 100,000 miles, respectively.
50,000 mile standard | 0.125 | 3.4 | 0.4 | ....... | 0.015
100,000 mile standard | 0.156 | 4.2 | 0.6 | 0.08* | 0.018
(2)Phase II
Beginning with model year 2001, for air pollutants specified in the following table, the clean-fuel vehicle standards under this section shall provide that vehicle exhaust emissions shall not exceed the levels specified in the following table.
Phase II Clean Fuel Vehicle Emission Standards for Light-Duty Trucks of up to 3,750 Lbs. LVW and up to 6,000 Lbs. GVWR and Light-Duty Vehicles
Pollutant | NMOG | CO | NOx | PM* | HCHO (formaldehyde)
Standards are expressed in grams per mile (gpm).
*Standards for particulates (PM) shall apply only to diesel-fueled vehicles.
In the case of the 50,000 mile standards and the 100,000 mile standards, for purposes of certification, the applicable useful life shall be 50,000 miles or 100,000 miles, respectively.
50,000 mile standard | 0.075 | 3.4 | 0.2 | ...... | 0.015
100,000 mile standard | 0.090 | 4.2 | 0.3 | 0.08 | 0.018
(b)Exhaust standards for light-duty trucks of more than 3,750 lbs. LVW and up to 5,750 lbs. LVW and up to 6,000 lbs. GVWR
The standards set forth in this paragraph shall apply in the case of clean-fuel vehicles which are light-duty trucks of more than 3,750 lbs. loaded vehicle weight (lvw) but not more than 5,750 lbs. lvw and not more than 6,000 lbs. gross weight rating (GVWR):
(1)Phase I
Beginning with model year 1996, for the air pollutants specified in the following table, the clean-fuel vehicle standards under this section shall provide that vehicle exhaust emissions shall not exceed the levels specified in the following table.
Phase I Clean Fuel Vehicle Emission Standards for Light-Duty Trucks of More Than 3,750 Lbs. and up to 5,750 Lbs. LVW and up to 6,000 Lbs. GVWR
Pollutant | NMOG | CO | NOx | PM* | HCHO (formaldehyde)
Standards are expressed in grams per mile (gpm).
*Standards for particulates (PM) shall apply only to diesel-fueled vehicles.
In the case of the 50,000 mile standards and the 100,000 mile standards, for purposes of certification, the applicable useful life shall be 50,000 miles or 100,000 miles, respectively.
50,000 mile standard | 0.160 | 4.4 | 0.7 | ...... | 0.018
100,000 mile standard | 0.200 | 5.5 | 0.9 | 0.08 | 0.023
(2)Phase II
Beginning with model year 2001, for the air pollutants specified in the following table, the clean-fuel vehicle standards under this section shall provide that vehicle exhaust emissions shall not exceed the levels specified in the following table.
Phase II Clean Fuel Vehicle Emission Standards for Light-Duty Trucks of More Than 3,750 Lbs. LVW and up to 5,750 Lbs. LVW and up to 6,000 Lbs. GVWR
Pollutant | NMOG | CO | NOx | PM* | HCHO (formaldehyde)
Standards are expressed in grams per mile (gpm).
*Standards for particulates (PM) shall apply only to diesel-fueled vehicles.
In the case of the 50,000 mile standards and the 100,000 mile standards, for purposes of certification, the applicable useful life shall be 50,000 miles or 100,000 miles, respectively.
50,000 mile standard | 0.100 | 4.4 | 0.4 | ...... | 0.018
100,000 mile standard | 0.130 | 5.5 | 0.5 | 0.08 | 0.023
(c)Exhaust standards for light-duty trucks greater than 6,000 lbs. GVWR
The standards set forth in this subsection shall apply in the case of clean-fuel vehicles which are light-duty trucks of more than 6,000 lbs. gross weight rating (GVWR) and less than or equal to 8,500 lbs. GVWR, beginning with model year 1998. For the air pollutants specified in the following table, the clean-fuel vehicle standards under this section shall provide that vehicle exhaust emissions of vehicles within the test weight categories specified in the following table shall not exceed the levels specified in such table.
Clean Fuel Vehicle Emission Standards for Light Duty Trucks Greater Than 6,000 lbs. GVWR
Test Weight Category: Up to 3,750 lbs. tw
Pollutant | NMOG | CO | NOx | PM* | HCHO (formaldehyde)
50,000 mile standard | 0.125 | 3.4 | 0.4** | ...... | 0.015
120,000 mile standard | 0.180 | 5.0 | 0.6 | 0.08 | 0.022
Test Weight Category: Above 3,750 but not above 5,750 lbs. tw
Pollutant | NMOG | CO | NOx | PM* | HCHO (formaldehyde)
50,000 mile standard | 0.160 | 4.4 | 0.7** | ...... | 0.018
120,000 mile standard | 0.230 | 6.4 | 1.0 | 0.10 | 0.027
Test Weight Category: Above 5,750 tw but not above 8,500 lbs. gvwr
Pollutant | NMOG | CO | NOx | PM* | HCHO (formaldehyde)
Standards are expressed in grams per mile (gpm).
*Standards for particulates (PM) shall apply only to diesel-fueled vehicles.
**Standard not applicable to diesel-fueled vehicles.
For the 50,000 mile standards and the 120,000 mile standards set forth in the table, the applicable useful life for purposes of certification shall be 50,000 miles or 120,000 miles, respectively.
50,000 mile standard | 0.195 | 5.0 | 1.1** | ...... | 0.022
120,000 mile standard | 0.280 | 7.3 | 1.5 | 0.12 | 0.032
(d)Flexible and dual-fuel vehicles
(1)In general
The Administrator shall establish standards and requirements under this section for the model year 1996 and thereafter for vehicles weighing not more than 8,500 lbs. gvwr which are capable of operating on more than one fuel. Such standards shall require that such vehicles meet the exhaust standards applicable under subsection (a), (b), and (c) for CO, NOx, and HCHO, and if appropriate, PM for single-fuel vehicles of the same vehicle category and model year.
(2)Exhaust NMOG standard for operation on clean alternative fuel
In addition to standards for the pollutants referred to in paragraph (1), the standards established under paragraph (1) shall require that vehicle exhaust emissions of NMOG not exceed the levels (expressed in grams per mile) specified in the tables below when the vehicle is operated on the clean alternative fuel for which such vehicle is certified:
NMOG Standards for Flexible- and Dual-Fueled Vehicles When Operating on Clean Alternative Fuel
Light-duty Trucks up to 6,000 lbs. GVWR and Light-duty vehicles
Vehicle Type | Column A (50,000 mi.) Standard (gpm) | Column B (100,000 mi.) Standard (gpm)
For standards under column A, for purposes of certification under section 7525 of this title, the applicable useful life shall be 50,000 miles.
For standards under column B, for purposes of certification under section 7525 of this title, the applicable useful life shall be 100,000 miles.
Beginning MY 1996: | |
LDT’s (0–3,750 lbs. LVW) and light-duty vehicles | 0.125 | 0.156
LDT’s (3,751–5,750 lbs. LVW) | 0.160 | 0.20
Beginning MY 2001: | |
LDT’s (0–3,750 lbs. LVW) and light-duty vehicles | 0.075 | 0.090
LDT’s (3,751–5,750 lbs. LVW) | 0.100 | 0.130
Light-duty Trucks More than 6,000 lbs. GVWR
Vehicle Type | Column A (50,000 mi.) Standard | Column B (120,000 mi.) Standard
For standards under column A, for purposes of certification under section 7525 of this title, the applicable useful life shall be 50,000 miles.
For standards under column B, for purposes of certification under section 7525 of this title, the applicable useful life shall be 120,000 miles.
Beginning MY 1998: | |
LDT’s (0–3,750 lbs. TW) | 0.125 | 0.180
LDT’s (3,751–5,750 lbs. TW) | 0.160 | 0.230
LDT’s (above 5,750 lbs. TW) | 0.195 | 0.280
(3)NMOG standard for operation on conventional fuel
In addition to the standards referred to in paragraph (1), the standards established under paragraph (1) shall require that vehicle exhaust emissions of NMOG not exceed the levels (expressed in grams per mile) specified in the tables below:
NMOG Standards for Flexible- and Dual-Fueled Vehicles When Operating on Conventional Fuel
Light-duty Trucks of up to 6,000 lbs. GVWR and Light-duty vehicles
Vehicle Type | Column A (50,000 mi.) Standard (gpm) | Column B (100,000 mi.) Standard (gpm)
For standards under column A, for purposes of certification under section 7525 of this title, the applicable useful life shall be 50,000 miles.
For standards under column B, for purposes of certification under section 7525 of this title, the applicable useful life shall be 100,000 miles.
Beginning MY 1996: | |
LDT’s (0–3,750 lbs. LVW) and light-duty vehicles | 0.25 | 0.31
LDT’s (3,751–5,750 lbs. LVW) | 0.32 | 0.40
Beginning MY 2001: | |
LDT’s (0–3,750 lbs. LVW) and light-duty vehicles | 0.125 | 0.156
LDT’s (3,751–5,750 lbs. LVW) | 0.160 | 0.200
Light-duty Trucks of up to 6,000 lbs. GVWR
Vehicle Type | Column A (50,000 mi.) Standard | Column B (120,000 mi.) Standard
For standards under column A, for purposes of certification under section 7525 of this title, the applicable useful life shall be 50,000 miles.
For standards under column B, for purposes of certification under section 7525 of this title, the applicable useful life shall be 120,000 miles.
Beginning MY 1998: | |
LDT’s (0–3,750 lbs. TW) | 0.25 | 0.36
LDT’s (3,751–5,750 lbs. TW) | 0.32 | 0.46
LDT’s (above 5,750 lbs. TW) | 0.39 | 0.56
(e)Replacement by CARB standards
(1)Single set of CARB standards
If the State of California promulgates regulations establishing and implementing a single set of standards applicable in California pursuant to a waiver approved under section 7543 of this title to any category of vehicles referred to in subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section and such set of standards is, in the aggregate, at least as protective of public health and welfare as the otherwise applicable standards set forth in section 7582 of this title and subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section, such set of California standards shall apply to clean-fuel vehicles in such category in lieu of the standards otherwise applicable under section 7582 of this title and subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section, as the case may be.
(2)Multiple sets of CARB standards
If the State of California promulgates regulations establishing and implementing several different sets of standards applicable in California pursuant to a waiver approved under section 7543 of this title to any category of vehicles referred to in subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section and each of such sets of California standards is, in the aggregate, at least as protective of public health and welfare as the otherwise applicable standards set forth in section 7582 of this title and subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section, such standards shall be treated as “qualifying California standards” for purposes of this paragraph. Where more than one set of qualifying standards are established and administered by the State of California, the least stringent set of qualifying California standards shall apply to the clean-fuel vehicles concerned in lieu of the standards otherwise applicable to such vehicles under section 7582 of this title and this section.
(f)Less stringent CARB standards
If the Low-Emission Vehicle and Clean Fuels Regulations of the California Air Resources Board applicable to any category of vehicles referred to in subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this section are modified after November 15, 1990, to provide an emissions standard which is less stringent than the otherwise applicable standard set forth in subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d), or if any effective date contained in such regulations is delayed, such modified standards or such delay (or both, as the case may be) shall apply, for an interim period, in lieu of the standard or effective date otherwise applicable under subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) to any vehicles covered by such modified standard or delayed effective date. The interim period shall be a period of not more than 2 model years from the effective date otherwise applicable under subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d). After such interim period, the otherwise applicable standard set forth in subsection (a), (b), (c), or (d) shall take effect with respect to such vehicles (unless subsequently replaced under subsection (e)).
(g)Not applicable to heavy-duty vehicles
Notwithstanding any provision of the Low-Emission Vehicle and Clean Fuels Regulations of the California Air Resources Board nothing in this section shall apply to heavy-duty engines in vehicles of more than 8,500 lbs. GVWR.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 7583
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110