ARB Adopts Tough New Standards for Spark-Ignitions Marine Engines

ARB on December 10, 1998 adopted new emission standards that are far more stringent than the federal standards for engines used in recreational marine applications (e.g., outboards and personal watercraft). The ARB Tier 1 standards would take effect in 2001 and would implement the 2006 EPA standards (corporate average 75% HC reduction over baseline levels). The Tier 2 standards would take effect in 2004 and would set the emission standards at 80% of the EPA 2006 standard or approximately an 80% corporate average reduction from baseline levels. The Tier 3 standards would be implemented in 2008 and would be 35% of the EPA 2006 standard or approximately a 90% corporate average reduction from baseline levels (see Figure 1 below).

Figure1: Exhaust Emission Standards

ARB identified catalyst technology as one of the options for complying with the Tier 3 standards. Yamaha announced that it will introduce in 1999 a catalyst-equipped direct-injection two-stroke powered personal watercraft. [December 14, 1998]