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Fact Sheet

For immediate release
December 21, 2003

TIGHTER EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR LARGE
DIESEL TRUCKS AND BUSES HELP PROTECT OUR AIR

New Drive Clean regulations require large diesel-powered trucks and buses on Ontario highways to meet the strictest emissions standards in North America.

These new standards, which take effect April 1, 2004, are one of several program improvements that will reduce harmful vehicle emissions to help protect people’s health and the environment. The initiatives are supported by environmental and health organizations and the trucking and bus industries.

Other initiatives include strict emissions standards for school buses, as well as an incentive for the owners and operators of heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses to improve vehicle maintenance. The government is also committed to developing a strategy to encourage heavy-duty truck and bus operators to reduce vehicle idling.

Ontario’s leadership

Sixteen jurisdictions in Canada and the United States, including Ontario, have some type of heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) emissions testing program. Ontario’s emissions standards for heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses will be the strictest in North America. As well, Ontario will be only one of only five jurisdictions that combine both periodic testing and random roadside inspection.

The other jurisdictions with HDV programs are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Utah, and Washington.

Emissions reductions

A recent independent analysis of the program determined that it had reduced particulate matter (PM) from heavy-duty diesel vehicles registered in Ontario by nearly 1,100 tonnes from 2000 through 2002, almost twice the program target of 660 tonnes.

New diesel standards limit the particulate matter (PM) in exhaust emissions. PM, a major constituent
of smog, is emitted by diesel vehicles largely as a result of unburned fuel. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles contribute over 50 per cent of the PM from transportation sources, of which 85 to 90 per cent is microscopic PM2.5, the tiniest particles that are readily absorbed by human respiratory systems. PM is linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses, as well as cardiovascular illnesses.

Current emissions standards

The emissions of diesel-powered HDVs registered anywhere in Ontario must be tested annually for opacity, a measurement of the amount of light that can be blocked by PM in the exhaust emissions. Current standards allow 55 per cent of the light to be blocked by the exhaust of vehicles that are 1990 models or older and 40 per cent by those that are model year 1991 and newer. New and cleaner diesel engine technology was introduced in 1991, which is why that year has been set as a dividing line for the standards.

Ontario has been applying the North American standards in its diesel opacity tests but has found that well-maintained heavy-duty vehicles can easily surpass these standards.

The new requirements

The new emissions standards will be put in place in two stages, on April 1, 2004 and on April 1, 2005. There are two sets of emissions standards in place for heavy-duty vehicles, based on their age. Heavy-duty diesel school buses, however, must meet the more stringent of the two standards no matter the age of the vehicles, to reduce the exposure of children to potentially harmful exhaust emissions. The emissions standard requirements are as follows:

Heavy-duty diesel opacity standards

	1990 and older models	1991 and newer models	School buses
Currently	55%	40%	55% & 40%, based on age
April 1, 2004	45%	35%	35% regardless of age
April 1, 2005	40%	30%	30% regardless of age

Incentive for better maintenance

The owners and operators of heavy-duty diesel vehicles will be offered an incentive to keep their vehicles maintained well beyond the requirements needed to meet the new, stricter standards. Currently, these vehicles must be tested annually. Vehicle owners will be able to earn an exemption from the next year’s annual test if they meet or surpass a 20 per cent opacity standard.

These vehicles will only require testing every two years, as long as they continue to meet or surpass the 20 per cent opacity level. Vehicles that register over 20 per cent opacity will still require annual tests. The exemption program opportunity for heavy-duty diesel vehicles will be phased in, beginning January 1, 2005. In 2005, heavy-duty diesel vehicles of odd-model years (2001, 1999, 1997, etc.) may be exempted from testing. In 2006, even-model years (2002, 2000, 1998, etc.) may be exempt.

Vehicle idling

MOE will consult with key stakeholders to develop a strategy to encourage heavy-duty truck and bus owners to limit the amount of time their vehicles are left idling. While idling, heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses can emit quantities of unburned fuel containing PM and, at the same time, build up harmful deposits in the engine that increase maintenance costs and wear on vehicle engines.

The Smog Patrol

MOE's Vehicle Emissions Enforcement Unit – also known as the Smog Patrol - will apply the new heavy-duty diesel emissions standards in its on-road enforcement activities. The Smog Patrol will enforce the standards for all heavy-duty diesel vehicles on Ontario roads, whether they are registered in the province or from out-of-province.

Having a Drive Clean pass does not make a vehicle exempt from enforcement of Ontario’s vehicle emissions laws. A vehicle’s emissions system may deteriorate between Drive Clean tests with the result that it emits excessive exhaust smoke. In addition to conducting its own blitzes and investigations, the Smog Patrol works with the Ministry of Transportation and various police agencies throughout the province in on-road enforcement of emissions laws.

The heavy-duty vehicle program

Annual emissions tests for registration renewal are required for heavy-duty diesel trucks and buses registered anywhere in Ontario, and for non-diesel vehicles – those powered by propane, natural gas or gasoline – in the southern Ontario smog zone. Tests are required for vehicles in the third calendar year after their model year (beginning with 2001 model years in 2004 and 2002 models in 2005). Resale vehicles also require testing for ownership transfer if they are older than the current model year (i.e., model 2003 and older in 2004). There is no limit on the age of vehicles to be tested.

For further information on Drive Clean, please call 1-888-758-2999 (toll-free) or visit www.driveclean.com