In a move that should make life easier for those considering alternative fuel technologies, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated its rules to make it simpler for manufacturers to sell fuel conversion systems.
There were concerns that poorly designed systems could lead to much more pollution and previous EPA regulations required vehicle and engine conversion systems to be covered by a certificate of conformity.
Now however, the EPA has evaluated these requirements and decided it should introduce new flexibilities for all clean alternative fuel converters while expanding compliance options.
These revised procedures will be dependent on the age of the vehicle and the engine that is being converted. The EPA has also determined that older vehicles and engines can be streamlined while maintaining environmental safeguards.
There will still be a certification process as part of the demonstration and notification requirements for new and relatively new vehicles and engines. However, once certified annual recertification will not be required to maintain the tampering exemption. Meanwhile, the requirements for intermediate age vehicles and engines will include testing and submission of data to ensure the vehicle or engine continues to meet the applicable standards; while vehicles and engines outside useful life must provide sufficient technical detail to determine the conversion will not increase emissions.
Any manufacturers seeking an exemption must demonstrate compliance, with the requirements varying dependent on age categories.
