Reducing Transportation Emissions

The Government of Canada is carrying out a comprehensive 10-year Federal Agenda on Cleaner Vehicles, Engines and Fuels which sets out a plan of action to reduce emissions from these sources, including the development of new regulations to align Canadian standards for vehicle and engine emissions and fuel quality standards with progressive standards of the US Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA).

Environment Canada’s actions include:

On-Road

• On January 1, 2003, the new On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission regulations were passed.  These Regulations introduce more stringent emission standards for 2004 and later model year on-road vehicles and engines.  These stringent new standards are now being phased in, and will reduce allowable emission levels from new on-road vehicles by up to 95 per cent.  When fully phased in (in 2009), the Regulations will subject all cars and light-duty trucks to the same set of stringent emission standards.
• On September 29, 2004, a discussion draft of regulations amending On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations the was released.  These regulations address volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) from 2006 and later model year on-road motorcycles (inclining scooters and mopeds).  Formal publication of these on-road regulations, in Canada Gazette, Part I is expected in the first quarter of 2005 and publication in Canada Gazette, Part II is expected in the fourth quarter of 2005.
• In 2000, as part of the Federal House in Order Initiative, the federal government purchased 180 alternative fuel vehicles which emit fewer greenhouse gases and ozone precursors. As well, under this initiative in 2003, the Government of Canada undertook the Employee Transit Pass Pilot Project, designed to reduce emissions by increasing the use of transit by providing employees with a discount on an annual transit pass.

Off-Road

• As part of the Climate Change Plan for Canada, the Government is reviewing ways to reduce Greenhouse gases from off-road vehicles and equipment. A discussion paper was released onOctober 6, 2004, and written comments were due by January 28, 2005.
• On May 8, 2004, the Off-Road Compression-Ignition Engine Emissions Regulations were published in Canada Gazette Part I.   These regulations will introduce emissions standards for construction, agricultural and forestry equipment. The regulations, to come into force in 2006, are expected to be published in the Canada Gazette Part II in early 2005.
• On November 19, 2003, the new Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations were passed.  These Regulations establish emissions standards for engines rated up to 25 horsepower (19 kilowatts).  These are, typically, gasoline engines used in lawn and garden machines, light-duty industrial machines and light-duty logging machines.  The new Regulations are expected to reduce smog-forming emissions (combined hydroocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)) from this category of engines more than 40 per cent as of 2025.

Fuels

• Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations (1999) set limits on the amount of sulphur in gasoline produced, imported or sold. The Regulations limit sulphur in gasoline to an average level of 30 mg/kg with a never-to-be-exceeded maximum of 80 mg/kg.
  • Low sulphur gasoline (limited to an average level of 150 mg/kg) was phased in across Canadastarting in July 1, 2002.  On January 1, 2005, the annual average level of sulphur in gasoline will be limited to 30 mg/kg. The Regulations also include never-to-be-exceeded limits of 300 mg/kg during 2004 and 80 mg/kg thereafter.
  • Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations (2002) ensure that the level of sulphur in diesel fuel used in on-road vehicles in Canada will not impede the effective operation of advanced emission control technologies planned to be introduced on 2007 and later model year vehicles (i.e., in mid-2006) to comply with stringent new exhaust emission standards. This is accomplished by reducing the maximum allowable limit for sulphur in on-road diesel fuel to 15 milligrams per kilogram of the fuel, which is equivalent to 15 parts per million (p.p.m.), commencing June 1, 2006.
  • In October, 2003, amendments to the Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations were proposed.  These amendments will introduce limits for sulphur in diesel fuel for off-road, rail and marine uses.
• Gasoline and Gasoline Blend Dispensing Flow RateRegulations (Feb. 1, 2001) reduce refueling vapour emissions of benzene and other VOCs by 95% and to perform effectively with fuel dispensing flow rates up to 38 litres per minute.
• Benzene in Gasoline Regulations (1997) to set limits for the amount of benzene in gasoline and for the benzene emissions number.  The Regulations also prohibit the sale of gasoline with a concentration of more than 1.5% benzene by volume.
• Gasoline Regulations banning lead (1990) limits the concentration of phosphorus in unleaded gasoline. Gasoline for use in aircrafts and competition vehicles are presently exempt from these regulations.

Marine & Rail

• Negotiations to renew the 1995 MOU with Railway Association of Canada to align emission standards for locomotives in Canada with those of the U.S. EPA are underway. The original MOU, which set a cap for NOx emissions from locomotives to 115 kilotonnes, expires at the end of 2005.
• Environment Canada and the U.S. EPA have started to work together to reduce emissions from large shipping vessels.  The goal of this collaboration is to develop an application to have the coasts of North America declared as a zone where marine bunker fuel with reduced sulphur content must be used.  If an analysis reveals that the application would meet the required criteria, then it would be proposed to the International Maritime Organization for approval.