New options for clean diesel passenger cars

To facilitate the transition to cleaner, light-duty diesel vehicles, EPA is providing diesel manufacturers with two voluntary interim compliance options for meeting EPA standards.

The standards, known officially as the Tier 2 Vehicle and Gasoline Sulfur Rulemaking, significantly reduces the emissions from new passenger cars and light trucks.

The two voluntary compliance options apply to nitrogen oxide requirements for diesels during compliance testing at high altitudes and high speed/high acceleration conditions. Manufacturers choosing these options will be required to meet more stringent requirements in other aspects of the Tier 2 program, including tighter particulate matter standards and longer useful life of the vehicle. These voluntary options are available for three years—model years 2007 through 2009.

For additional information, visit: www.epa.gov/tier2/amendments.htm.