[net.auto] Emissions standards and who is required to meet them

dennis@vrdxhq.UUCP (R. Dennis Gibbs) (10/17/85)

I had a discussion with a friend today about emissions standards, and who is
required to meet them.  My understanding is that all gasoline-powered  auto-
mobiles sold in  America, both foreign and  domestic, are  required to  meet 
the same emissions standards, as well  as the  CAFE  (Corporate Average Fuel
Economy).  My friend's understanding is that foreign cars  are not  required
to meet the emissions standards that  American  automobiles  are required to
meet.  He refers especially to the fact that all American cars had catalytic
converters starting in 1975, whereas many foreign cars (especially Japanese)
did not have  catalytic  converters in  1975 (Some  did not have  them until 
1980).

It was  also  my  understanding that  the emissions  standards in  Japan are 
stricter than they are in the U.S., and therefore the Japanese had more time
to develop fuel-efficient automobiles that met emissions  standards  without
catalytic converters. 

Now for the clincher: Who is correct, me or my friend?  Where can I find in-
formation on this subject?

                               Dennis Gibbs
                               Verdix Corporation

wjh@bonnie.UUCP (Bill Hery) (10/21/85)

> I had a discussion with a friend today about emissions standards, and who is
> required to meet them.  My understanding is that all gasoline-powered  auto-
> mobiles sold in  America, both foreign and  domestic, are  required to  meet 
> the same emissions standards, as well  as the  CAFE  (Corporate Average Fuel
> Economy).  My friend's understanding is that foreign cars  are not  required
> to meet the emissions standards that  American  automobiles  are required to
> meet.  He refers especially to the fact that all American cars had catalytic
> converters starting in 1975.

All cars (US and foreign, gas and diesel) are required to meet emissions standards
based on year of manufacture.  Emission standards are in quantity per vehicle,
so that as the requirements were phased in in the '70s, cars with efficient
small engines (like many Japanese cars) were able to meet the requirements for
a few extra years before going to cat converters.  Cat converters per se are not
required, but I don't think any cars now can meet the requirements without them.
Diesels are also covered for the same pollutants (sulpher dioxide,nitrous oxide,
carbon monoxide); they seem not to be covered because they produce a lot of
particulate (soot), whick is not covered.

The CAFE only applies to corporations selling above a certain number of
vehicles per year (I don't know the number off hand).  Thus Ferrari does not
have to worry about fuel economy unless they get a lot more popular (but they
do have to worry about emissions).

Bill Hery