{"abstract":"Today EPA is finalizing the main regulatory framework for the National Low Emission Vehicle (National LEV) program. After EPA takes comment on and finalizes supplemental regulations, today's regulations would allow auto manufacturers to volunteer to comply with tailpipe standards for cars and light, light-duty trucks that are more stringent than EPA can mandate. Once a manufacturer opts into the program, the standards would be enforced in the same manner as any other federal motor vehicle pollution control requirement. Manufacturers would be willing to opt into this program if there is a binding commitment to it by the northeastern part of the country (the Ozone Transport Region (OTR) or the States of the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC States)). If the program were to come into effect after EPA finalizes the supplemental regulations, it would achieve significant reductions in smog and other air pollution nationwide. It also would achieve the same emission reductions in the OTR as if each OTC State adopted a state motor vehicle program. Today's regulations, together with other Agency actions, also substantially harmonize federal and California motor vehicle standards and test procedures to enable manufacturers to design and test vehicles to one set of standards nationwide if they opt into National LEV. With this final rule, EPA is providing the regulatory structure that is a necessary step towards completion of an on-going process initiated by the OTC States and the auto manufacturers to improve public health through the introduction of cleaner vehicles nationwide and in the Northeast. The process cannot be completed until the auto manufacturers and the OTC States both agree to be bound by the program. As a result of the hard work of these parties, agreement has been reached on the main regulatory framework of the National LEV program. This agreement is reflected in today's rule. However, some additional issues must be resolved regarding the commitments the OTC States must make for the program to come into effect. EPA will resolve these issues when it adopts a supplemental final rule after further notice and comment. If National LEV is implemented, it will demonstrate how cooperative, partnership efforts can produce a smarter, cheaper program that reduces regulatory burden while increasing protection of the environment and public health.","action":"Final rule.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY","name":"Environmental Protection Agency","id":145,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/environmental-protection-agency","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/145","parent_id":null,"slug":"environmental-protection-agency"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/1997/06/06/97-12366.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":"85","title":40},{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":"86","title":40}],"citation":"62 FR 31192","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":null,"correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"This regulation is effective August 5, 1997. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 5, 1997. Sections 86.085-37(b)(1) introductory text, 86.1710-97(a), 86.1712-97, and 86.1776-97 contain information collection requirements that have not yet been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and are not effective until OMB has approved them. EPA will publish a document announcing the effective date of these sections.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["AMS-FRL-5823-7"],"dockets":[],"document_number":"97-12366","effective_on":"1997-08-05","end_page":31270,"executive_order_notes":null,"executive_order_number":null,"full_text_xml_url":null,"html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/1997/06/06/97-12366/control-of-air-pollution-from-new-motor-vehicles-and-new-motor-vehicle-engines-voluntary-standards","images":{},"images_metadata":{},"json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents/97-12366?publication_date=1997-06-06","mods_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/granule/FR-1997-06-06/97-12366/mods.xml","not_received_for_publication":null,"page_length":79,"page_views":{"count":205,"last_updated":"2026-09-21 18:15:06 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1997-06-06/pdf/97-12366.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":null,"publication_date":"1997-06-06","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/1997/06/06/97-12366.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{"2060-AF75":{"issue":"199710","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2060-AF75/voluntary-standards-for-light-duty-vehicles-national-49-state-low-emission-vehicles-program-","title":"Voluntary Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles (National 49 State Low-Emission Vehicles Program)","xml_url":"http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=199710&RIN=2060-AF75&operation=OPERATION_EXPORT_XML","priority_category":"Economically Significant"}},"regulation_id_numbers":["2060-AF75"],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{"supporting_documents":[{"title":"Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles and New Motor Vehicle Engines: State Commitments to National Low Emission Vehicle Program; Extension of Comment Period. [A-95-26-VII-I-2]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0064"},{"title":"Press releases from Honda:  1. vehicles being sold nationally with LEV technology 2. Development of Z-LEV engine [A-95-26-VII-J-1]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0062"},{"title":"National Low Emission Vehicle Program [A-95-26-VII-H-4]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0061"},{"title":"Meeting between EPA staff and OTC States' staff to discuss\nissues related to final rule [A-95-26-VII-E-1]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0060"},{"title":"Staff Report: Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of New\nCertification Tests and Standards to Control Exhaust Emissions From Aggressive Driving and Air-Conditioner Usage for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles under 8,501 Pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. [A-95-26-VI-J-6]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0057"},{"title":"Technical Support Document: Public Hearing to Consider\nAdoption of New Certification Tests and Standards to Control\nExhaust Emissions From Aggressive Driving and Air Conditioner Usage for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles under 8,501 Pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. [A-95-26-VI-J-4]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0056"},{"title":"CARB Mail-out # MSC 9707: Draft Regulatory Measure to\nControl Emissions During Non-Federal Test Procedure Driving\nConditions From Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and\nMedium-Duty Vehicles Under 8,500 Pounds Gross Vehicle\nWeight Rating [A-95-26-VI-J-1]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0055"},{"title":"Notice of Public Hearing [A-95-26-VI-J-5]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0053"},{"title":"Staff Report: Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of New\nCertification Tests and Standards to Control Exhaust Emissions From Aggressive Driving and Air-Conditioner Usage for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles under 8,501 Pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating  [A-95-26-VI-J-7]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0052"},{"title":"Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, (SNPRM) [also\nput on Internet EPA Web page] [A-95-26-VI-C1]","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0051"}],"comments_count":0,"agency_id":"EPA","comments_url":"https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=50&so=DESC&sb=postedDate&po=0&dct=PS&D=EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095","supporting_documents_count":64,"docket_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095","document_id":"EPA-HQ-OAR-1995-0095-0004","regulation_id_number":null,"title":"Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles and New Motor Vehicle Engines: Voluntary Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles","checked_regulationsdotgov_at":"2022-07-23T03:30:04Z"},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":true,"signing_date":null,"start_page":31192,"subtype":null,"title":"Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles and New Motor Vehicle Engines: Voluntary Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles","toc_doc":null,"toc_subject":null,"topics":[],"type":"Rule","volume":62}