Sleds and the EPA

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Sleds and the EPA

#1 Post by john »

Some info / data on what the future of sled engines are Sleds and the EPA
maximumsled.com wrote:
We learned a few things this week. Thought we’d share some of it to help clear up the confusion the industry, us included, seems to have about the regulations the EPA has in place.

It all started when we (OK, I) incorrectly noted that the 600 HO Fusion would be out of compliance for the EPA standards in 2007. NOT SO! Fleet averaging will be in effect through at least model year 2012 with regards to emissions standards. So the little Fusion that could is perfectly safe in the market.

Here’s an overview of what the regulations call for in the coming seasons. It is worth noting that any and all previously existing snowmobiles will be allowed to operate regardless of emission levels as far as the EPA is concerned. So, don’t get worked up about whether your old XLT will still be allowed to run on the trails. The EPA is only concerned with freshly minted sleds.

Industry Baseline:

The EPA and the Big 4 have established these levels as the industry baseline for emissions:

HC= 150 g/kw hr

CO= 400 g/ kw hr

2006

50% of the fleet must achieve an average of a 30% reduction in emissions as compared to the industry baseline (105 g/kw hr of HC and 280 g/kw hr of CO). The manufacturer can choose which models constitute the 50% of the fleet for the calculation. Also, this is the last year that any clean sled credits may be applied. This isn’t just picking 15 of the 30 models in a lineup. It’s based on the actual production numbers.

Example: Acme Sleds, Inc. builds 50,000 units. Of that, 25,000 units designated by Acme, must average 30% fewer HC and CO emissions. If by chance Acme cannot hit that figure, but has built 15,000 clean sleds in the past, it can apply those units against the quota of clean sleds and then build 10,000 more clean sleds to hit the 30% average.

2007

100% of the fleet must achieve an average of a 30% reduction in emissions as compared to the industry baseline (105 g/kw hr of HC and 280 g/kw hr of CO). The manufacturer must develop a product mix that brings the entire operation within the given emissions level. No credits allowed.

Example: Acme Sleds, Inc. builds three engine platforms. One engine, “A”, is very clean, releasing 52 HC and 140 CO. The second engine, “B”, belches out 158 HC and 420 CO. The last engine, “C”, hits the number right on the head, 105 HC and 280 CO. All three engine packages will be legal as long as the average for the whole fleet hits the 30% target. So, in order to do that, Acme will have to build at least as many of A as B, while building as many or few of C as it wishes in order to hit the fleet average.

2010

100% of the fleet must achieve an average of 30% reduction in CO and 50% reduction in HC emissions as compared to industry baseline (75 g/kw hr of HC and 280 g/kw hr of CO). The manufacturer must develop a product mix that brings the entire operation within the given emissions level. No credits allowed.

Example: Acme Sleds, Inc. builds three engine platforms. One engine, “A”, is very clean, releasing 50 HC and 140 CO. The second engine, “B”, belches out 100 HC and 420 CO. The last engine, “C”, hits the number right on the head, 75 HC and 280 CO. All three engine packages will be legal as long as the average for the whole fleet hits the given targets. So, in order to do that, Acme will have to build at least as many of A as B, while building as many or few of C as it wishes in order to hit the fleet average.

2012

This standard is still pending a final decision, but as it stands 100% of the fleet must achieve a 50% reduction in emissions as compared to the industry baseline (75 g/kw hr of HC and 200 g/kw hr of CO) It is undecided whether this will be a fleet average figure or if it will be required if every engine package.

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