Marine

More THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EPA 2007
EMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
NEW DIESEL FUEL DESIGNATIONS & USAGE
This information is supplemental to “Six Things You Need To
Know About EPA 2007 Emissions Requirements” sent to you by
MEDTEC Technical Services several months ago.
Ford Motor Company has released a Special Service Message
#19244 stating the following:
“All 6.0L Diesel E-Series, F-250-550, 6.0L/5.0L Cummins/7.2L
Cat Diesel F-650/750, and 4.5L Diesel LCF vehicles have a “carry-over” 2006 style engine
and are not required by federal mandate to use the Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel.
Until ULSD (15-ppm S) is available in October 2006, all diesel fuel pumps selling Low
Sulfur Diesel fuel (500-ppm S) must use newly established labels by EPA beginning June 1,
2006. The labels for these pumps state: “WARNING Federal law prohibits use in model
year 2007 and later highway vehicles and engines.” This is not the case for 2007 vehicles
with the carry-over 2006 engines; therefore, both Low Sulfur and Ultra Low Sulfur diesel
fuels can be used in these vehicles. For additional information on the upcoming change to
diesel fuel formulation, please visit http://www.clean-diesel.org/ .”
NOTE: The following articles are excerpted from the Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance website.
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel will be the primary
highway diesel fuel produced.
The full transition to ULSD fuel is complex and involves coordination at many levels. Under the new EPA
standards:
• Refiners and importers nationwide must ensure that at least 80 percent of the volume of the highway
diesel fuel they produce or import is ULSD-compliant by June 1, 2006.
• Diesel fuel classified as ULSD must reach distribution and marketing points downstream from
refineries (i.e., pipelines, distributors, terminals and transporters) by September 1, 2006 (July 15,
2006 in California).
• ULSD fuel is expected to be available at many retail locations by October 15, 2006
(September 1, 2006 in California).
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• Diesel fuel classified as Low Sulfur Diesel fuel may still be sold at retail locations outside of California
between October 15, 2006 and December 1, 2010.
• The State of Alaska has received an extension of the highway fuel 15-ppm requirement.
Effective Dates for Highway ULSD Fuel
Who What U.S. California
Import/produce at least 80% ULSD for on
highway use 6/01/06
Refiners &
Importers Import/produce at least 100% ULSD for on
highway use 6/01/10 6/01/06
Facilities that choose to carry ULSD must meet
15 ppm
sulfur specification
9/01/06
Downstream
from
Refineries
through
Fuel Terminals All highway diesel must be ULSD 10/01/10 7/15/06
Facilities that choose to carry ULSD must meet
15 ppm sulfur specification 10/15/06
Retail Outlets
All highway diesel must be ULSD 12/01/10 9/01/06
Although ULSD fuel will be the dominant highway diesel fuel produced, EPA does not require service
stations and truck stops to sell ULSD fuel. Therefore, it is possible that ULSD fuel might not be available
initially at every service station or truck stop and that a diesel retailer may choose to sell Low Sulfur Diesel
fuel instead of ULSD fuel. The industries involved in the transition are doing all they can to minimize potential
inconveniences during the conversion to the new diesel fuel.
Federal regulations require the labeling of all diesel fuel pumps to specify the type of fuel
dispensed by each pump (except in California where all diesel fuel must be ULSD by June
1, 2006). Similar instrument panel and fuel inlet/fill cap labeling is being mandated for
2007 and later model year highway engines and vehicles that require ULSD fuel.*
Consumers are advised to check the pump and vehicle labels to ensure they are refueling
with the proper diesel fuel consistent with their vehicle warranties.
The new standards provide strong incentives for suppliers to provide the proper ULSD fuel
formulation. Civil penalties of up to $32,500 per violation per day can be assessed for noncompliance
with EPA’s ULSD fuel standards, or for misrepresentation of the sulfur level of
diesel fuel.
*Exception – Some 2007 model year medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks may be equipped
with 2006 engines and emission systems. These vehicles are not required to use ULSD fuel.
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel is compatible with
existing fleets with comparable performance.
Owners of 2007 and later model year diesel-powered highway vehicles must refuel only with ULSD fuel.*
Owners of 2006 and earlier model year diesel-powered highway engines and vehicles may use ULSD or Low
Sulfur Diesel fuel during the transition period. Only ULSD fuel will be available for highway use starting on
December 1, 2010.
View PDF of
Pump Labels
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Under typical operating conditions, there should be no noticeable impact on overall power using ULSD fuel.
Fuel economy may be reduced slightly because the process that removes sulfur also can reduce the energy
content of the fuel.
Engine and vehicle manufacturers expect ULSD fuel to be fully compatible with the existing fleet, including
2006 and earlier model year vehicles. In some instances, the introduction of ULSD fuel to older vehicles may
affect fuel system components or loosen deposits in fuel tanks. As part of a good maintenance program,
owners and operators of existing cars, trucks and buses are encouraged to monitor their dieselpowered
vehicles closely for potential fuel system leaks or premature fuel filter plugging during the
changeover to ULSD fuel.
Like Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, ULSD fuel requires good lubricity and corrosion inhibitors to prevent
unacceptable engine wear. As necessary, additives to increase lubricity and to inhibit corrosion will be added
to ULSD fuel prior to its retail sale. With these additives, ULSD fuel is expected to perform as well as Low
Sulfur Diesel fuel.
Diesel-powered highway engines and vehicles for 2007 and later model years are designed to operate only
with ULSD fuel. Improper fuel use will reduce the efficiency and durability of engines, permanently damage
many advanced emissions control systems, reduce fuel economy, and possibly prevent the vehicles from
running at all.* Manufacturer warranties are likely to be voided by improper fuel use. Additionally, burning
Low Sulfur Diesel fuel (instead of ULSD fuel) in 2007 and later model year diesel cars, trucks and buses is
illegal and punishable with civil penalties.*
Only ultra low sulfur kerosene (No. 1 diesel with no more than 15 ppm sulfur) may be blended with ULSD
fuel to improve cold weather performance. With so many kerosene formulations on the market, care must be
taken to select kerosene with a maximum of 15-ppm sulfur. Blend rates will remain the same as with Low
Sulfur Diesel fuel.
Most engine and vehicle manufacturers allow bio-diesel blends in concentrations up to five percent provided
those blends meet accepted (ASTM) fuel quality standards. (Biodiesel blends are mixtures of petroleumbased
diesel fuels and fuels produced from soybean oil, waste cooking grease, or other organic matter.
These fuels may contain bio-diesel in concentrations ranging from two percent to levels approaching 100
percent by volume.) To ensure proper quality, consumers should use only bio-diesel-ULSD fuel blends that
are properly mixed by a qualified bio-diesel blender. Consumers should not create their own bio-diesel
blends by adding bio-diesel to ULSD fuel in a vehicle’s fuel tank.
There should be no operational problem if consumers switch from a bio-diesel-ULSD fuel blend to ULSD fuel
without bio-diesel.
*Exception – Some 2007 model year medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks may be equipped with 2006 engines and
emission systems. These vehicles are not required to use ULSD fuel.
MEDTEC Technical Services
7/10/06
K. Alan McFerren, Technical Services Manager
(574) 534-2631 ext. 3418 or
amcferren@medtecambulance.com
API Suggested Diesel Pump Labels
Compliant with EPA 40 CFR 80.570
• Titles of all labels (e.g., Low Sulfur Highway Diesel Fuel) are in 24-point type, Sulfur Level Cap Designations (e.g., [500
ppm Sulfur Maximum]) are in 20-point type, and all other required language is in 14-point type as approved by the
EPA.
• Green is chosen as the background for the first two labels because of its strong association with diesel in the
gasoline service station network.
• Labels shall be on the upper two-thirds of the pump in a location where they are clearly visible.
• Pumps must be labeled by June 1, 2006.