How to manage changes to vehicle emissions legislation
OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers must stay informed about changes to vehicle emissions legislation, to help mitigate risks associated with product development timelines and overall strategy. In this article, we discuss the main considerations when understanding vehicle emissions legislation.
Worldwide emissions standards
Emissions legislation varies from territory to territory and from application to application, whether you are involved in road vehicles, marine or stationary engines, here’s what you need to know about some of the standardised emissions regulations.
What do emissions limits generally include?
The limits for vehicle emissions cover various important areas, we shine a light on some of the most common emission legislation items and what they mean.
Total hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons or THC, refer to emissions that are a mix of hydrocarbon compounds released from sources including vehicles and industries. Governments regulate THC emissions due to their contribution to air pollution, with laws set on their release to mitigate health and environmental impacts. These are often measured in concentration or total mass over time, such as in mg/km.
Nonmethane hydrocarbon
Nonmethane hydrocarbon (NMHC) emissions are diverse hydrocarbon compounds, excluding methane, released from sources including vehicles and industries. NMHCs contribute to harmful air pollutants and ozone formation, affecting health and the environment. Regulations set limits on NMHCs to curb their negative impacts and are usually measured in mg/km.
Nitrogen oxides
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions are reactive gases from combustion sources including vehicles and industries. They lead to pollution, smog, and health issues. Regulations set limits on NOx to minimize harm and this is usually measured in mg/km.
Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides
Hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are a mix of harmful gases from sources including vehicles and industries. They create pollution, smog, and health problems. Rules exist to control these emissions and promote the use of cleaner technologies.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions are gases released from burning fuels like gasoline, diesel, and wood. Colourless and odourless, they can be harmful when inhaled. CO emissions come from vehicles, industrial processes, and residential sources like stoves and heaters. High levels of CO can lead to health problems as it reduces oxygen in the bloodstream. Regulations and technologies aim to limit CO emissions for better air quality and human health and are usually measured in mg/km.
Particulate matter
Particulate matter (PM) emissions consist of tiny solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. These particles vary in size and composition, ranging from fine to coarse. PM emissions originate from sources that include vehicle exhausts, industrial processes, construction, and natural sources such as dust and pollen.
These particles can pose health risks when inhaled, as well as reduced air quality. Regulations and standards are in place to limit PM emissions to protect public health and the environment and are usually measured in mg/km.
Particle number
Particle number emissions refer to the count of individual particles released into the air from various sources. Ultrafine particles, which are very small in size, can be of specific concern because they can penetrate deeply into the lungs when inhaled, potentially causing adverse health effects. These particles are often produced by combustion processes, such as those in vehicle engines.
Regulations and standards may exist to limit particle number emissions, especially for certain industries and sectors where these emissions are a significant concern, and this is measured in number of particles per km.
What are the vehicle classification types and categories?
The methods used to classify vehicle types vary from country to country. Although the relevant competent authorities work hard to synergise with other country classification methods, some regional differences do exist.
UK and European Union
Although the UK has now left the European Union, the methods used to classify vehicle types remains the same.
Class M
Category M vehicles cover passenger vehicles and are further sub-divided based on maximum mass.
Class M1
Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of passengers and comprising no more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat, without the space for standing passengers.
Class M2
A vehicle with four or more wheels used for the carriage of passengers, with more than 8 passenger seats in addition to the driver’s seat and a maximum Design Gross Weight (DGW) not exceeding 5,000kg
Class M3
M3 Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and having a maximum mass exceeding 5 tonnes.
Class N
Category N vehicles cover vehicles constructed for the carriage of goods. Category N vehicles are then further sub-divided based on maximum mass.
Class N1
Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 t
Class N2
Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 t but not exceeding 12 t.
Class N3
Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 t.
United States of America
In the United States of America, emissions regulations are governed by US Federal law (although some additional differences apply by state, such as in California). We outline the vehicle classification categories used by US Federal regulations for passenger cars and light duty vehicles.
Light duty vehicle
The light duty vehicle category covers passenger cars for 12 or fewer passengers and is abbreviated to LDV.
Light duty truck
For any motor vehicle which has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR is the maximum design loaded weight) of 8,500 lbs or lower with a curb weight of 6,000 lbs or lower including goods or passengers carrying over 12 passengers or off-highway operation. The light duty category is further divided into light and heavy sub-categories.
Light – Light duty truck
All light duty trucks which have a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 lbs, or less, are considered Light and are defined as light duty trucks. They are further sub-divided based on loaded vehicle weight (LVW), which is curb weight + 300 lbs. All light – light duty trucks with an LVW of 3,750 lbs or less are LDT1. Vehicles with a LVW of over 3,750 lbs are classified as LDT2.
Heavy – Light duty truck
All heavy-duty trucks which have a gross vehicle weight rating of over 6,000 lbs are considered Heavy – light duty trucks. They are further sub-divided based on adjusted loaded vehicle weight (ALVW), which is average of curb weight and GVWR. All heavy – light duty trucks with an LVW of 5,750 lbs and below are LDT3. Vehicles with an ALVW of over 5,750 lbs are classified as LDT4.
Medium duty passenger vehicle
The medium duty passenger vehicle category covers passenger carrying vehicles for 12 or fewer passengers, with a GVWR of over 8,500 lbs or a curb weight of over 6,000 lbs, or a frontal area over 45 ft2 and GVWR under 10,000 lbs. Medium duty passenger vehicles are abbreviated to MDPV.
Heavy duty vehicle
Vehicles which have a GVWR of over 8,500 lbs or a curb weight of over 6,000 lbs are considered heavy duty vehicles or light – heavy duty vehicles. This category is further sub-divided based on weight. Class 2B are heavy duty vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or below. Class 3 vehicles have a GVWR of 14,000 lbs and below.
Where to find emissions legislation?
Information about specific legislation is available through each countries’ environmental agency or department responsible for transportation. When developing products for multiple markets, it’s important to consider the limits and legislation imposed across all the territories relevant to your product as failure to consider one country’s emissions legislation may limit your ability to sell your product in that country.
Ricardo has developed a simple platform (EMLEG) to combine all the emissions legislation globally into one simple interface. EMLEG provides online summaries of emissions regulations for light and heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, non-road, marine and stationary engines. The regulations contained within EMLEG feature both current legislation and proposed regulations, which is invaluable for researchers and technical leads at OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. Get in touch with our specialist knowledge team for more information about our EMLEG subscriptions.
The challenges for original equipment manufacturers and suppliers
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and tier 1 suppliers need to stay on top of current emission legislation and upcoming proposed changes. Emissions regulations are ever-changing and vary from country to country, which makes it challenging to develop products which are compliant. Getting this wrong often results in elongated development timelines and R&D expenditure exhausting the original budget.
It's often more streamlined to develop products which can meet the requirements of multiple regions, so that the same product can be adapted as required to regional differences in legislation. OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers need to consider their markets and their current product range, their sustainability ambitions and how that fits into the legislative roadmap set out by both current and upcoming regulations.
Ricardo's strategic advisory team can help advise and report on your situation to help provide guidance and direction. Our engineering team can offer a range of technology options from electrification, hydrogen fuel cell and sustainable fuels to hybrid and conventional powertrains. Ricardo can help to design and build the technologies you need to transition your existing product range. Unlike other consultants, Ricardo has in-house manufacturing and assembly capabilities to deliver components and products or our team can help advise and guide you through the process of building and scaling your own solution.
