Vehicle Test Procedure Adjustments for Tier 3 Certification Test Fuel
On this page:
Rule Summary
EPA is proposing technical changes to emissions testing protocols and compliance calculations for the Light-duty Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Standards and Fuel Economy Standards that would provide a smooth transition from using test fuel with zero percent ethanol (E0) to test fuel that contains ten percent ethanol (E10). EPA is switching test fuels since the vast majority of gasoline supplied to consumers in the U.S. is now E10, and EPA’s Tier 3 criteria pollutant emissions standards for light-duty vehicles already use E10 as the test fuel. The purpose of this proposed rule is to ensure that the transition to E10 as a test fuel has no impact on the stringency of the Light-duty GHG Emissions and Fuel Economy Standards. The proposed transition to E10 as a test fuel will allow manufacturers to perform all of their vehicle testing on a single (E10) fuel for compliance with both Tier 3 and GHG Emission and Fuel Economy Standards.
Public Hearing Information
Please note that EPA is deviating from its typical approach because the President has declared a national emergency. Because of current CDC recommendations, as well as state and local orders for social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19, EPA cannot hold in-person public meetings at this time. The virtual public hearing will provide interested parties the opportunity to present data, views, or arguments concerning the proposal. In order to join the hearing, individuals must register for the hearing, even if they do not intend to provide testimony. EPA has extended the hearing registration deadline listed in the Federal Register through Friday, July 10th. More information on how to register can be found in the public hearing notice.
- Notice of public hearing (PDF) (2 pp, 278 K, published July 2, 2020, About PDF)
- Public Hearing Transcript for Tier 3 Certification Test Fuel Proposal
Additional Resources
- Proposed Rule Notice (PDF) (23 pp, 951 K, published May 13, 2020, About PDF)