Air Pollution and cars were first linked in the early 1950's by a California researcher who determined that Pollutants from traffic was to blame for the smoggy skies over LA. At the time, average new cars were emitting about 13 grams per mile hydrocarbons, 3.6 grams per miles nitrogen oxides, and 87 grams per mile carbon monoxide. Since then, the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has set standards to bring down levels of pollutants, and the auto industry has responded by developing new emission control technologies.
2/1/2019Congress passes first major Clean Air Act, requiring a 90% reduction in emissions from new automobiles by 1975. President Richard Nixon establishes EPA, and the new agency is given it broad responsibility for regulating motor vehicle pollution. New cars must meet EPA emission standards for hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. The law also directs EPA to set health-based "National Ambient Air Quality Standards" for 6 pollutants.
2/1/2019EPA begins testing the fuel economy of cars, trucks, and other vehicles, the first step towards informing consumers about the gas mileage of their vehicles.
2/1/2019Congress passes the Energy Policy Conservation Act, setting the first fuel economy goals. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program establishes a phase-in of more stringent fuel economy standards beginning with 1975 model vehicles. The "first generation" catalytic converters are built, significantly reducing vehicle emissions. Unleaded gasoline is also introduced because lead in gasoline may cause disintegration of catalytic converters. This results in dramatic reductions in ambient lead levels and alleviates many serious environmental and human health concerns associated with lead pollution.
2/1/2019Congress amends the Clean Air Act which set a schedule for continued reductions in emissions from automobiles.
2/1/2019New cars meet the amended Clean Air Act standards for the first time. Sophisticated three-way catalysts with on-board computers and oxygen sensors appear in most new cars, helping to optimize the efficiency of the catalytic converter.
2/1/2019EPA sets stringent standards for emissions of NOx from heavy-duty engines and of PM from heavy-duty diesel-powered trucks and buses. EPA issues final regulations to cut the amount of lead in gasoline by 90 percent starting January 1, 1986. The new standard is 0.10 grams per gallon.
2/1/2019For the first time, EPA sets fuel volatility limits aimed at reducing evaporative emissions.
2/1/2019The Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles is established to develop new automotive technology to help reduce air pollution by tripling the fuel economy of typical family sedans without sacrificing safety, performance, and affordable cost.
2/1/2019EPA issues final regulations requiring that gasoline sold in certain areas be reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions of toxic and ozone-forming compounds.
2/1/2019EPA completes its 25-year mission to completely remove lead from gasoline. Lead is banned from gasoline as of January 1, 1996. EPA issues regulations that aim to produce cleaner technology and better engine performance in new marine spark-ignition (SI) engines. The emission standards, which apply to outboard engines and gasoline marine engines used in personal watercraft and jet boat applications, will reduce HC emissions by 75 percent by 2025.
2/1/2019EPA adopts final rule for nonroad small spark-ignition handheld engines (e.g., trimmers, brush cutters, and chainsaws) that rule reduces HC and NOx emissions by 70 percent beyond the previous standards. EPA develops a comprehensive national control program to regulate the heavy-duty vehicle and its fuel as a single system. These new standards apply to model year 2007 heavy-duty on-road engines and vehicles.
2/1/2019EPA amends the existing emission standards for NOx for new commercial aircraft engines. These standards are equivalent to the NOx emission standards of the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, and thereby bring United States aircraft standards into alignment with the international standards. EPA finalizes durability procedures applicable to light-duty vehicles and trucks, and some heavy-duty vehicles. Manufacturers use these procedures to predict what the emission levels of new vehicles will be at the end of their useful life period.
2/1/2019The EPA and NHTSA propose model years 2018 to 2027 greenhouse gas emissions and fuel economy standards for medium and heavy duty vehicles.
2/1/2019United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization adopted international carbon dioxide emissions standards for aircraft. EPA is working currently working through the process of potentially setting GHG standards for greenhouse gas emissions from certain classes of aircraft.
2/1/2019