U.S.: EPA modifies rules for conversions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s action modifies regulations that have been in force for aftermarket conversions since April 2002 and that were adopted pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act. The revised procedures will vary based on the age of the vehicle or engine being converted, and will continue to require that manufacturers demonstrate that their systems maintain emissions performance of the vehicle.

NGVAmerica, the association that represents U.S. CNG industry, backed this modification and its former president Richard Kolodziej stated: “EPA’s decision is particularly important in the case of heavy-duty fleets, since currently, because of cost, there are no EPA approved conversion systems for diesel vehicles. These are the biggest consumers of fuel and have the greatest potential to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil in the near term.”

Omnitek’s president and CEO Werner Funk also welcomed EPA’s amendment and said: “Converting diesel engines to operate on either LNG or CNG provides an economical and environmental solution to new engine replacement. This change will now enable our company to certify and convert engines in a cost-effective manner and introduce the technology to the U.S. market.”

Source: Environmental Protection Agency