EPA's New Rules for Clean Cars and Gasoline

In EPA’s leadership blog, Administrator Gina McCarthy announces the agency's new standards to reduce the sulfur content in gasoline by 60% in 2017 and new Tier 3 emission standards for cars and light trucks to reduce criteria and toxic air pollutants

2 minute read

March 5, 2014, 10:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


"The new Tier 3 (tailpipe) standards will also slash of a range of harmful pollutants that can cause premature death and respiratory illnesses. They will reduce smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) by 80%, establish a 70% tighter particulate matter standard (PM2.5), and virtually eliminate fuel vapor emissions," writes McCarthy mostly about what are known as "criteria air pollutants", as opposed to greenhouse gas emissions. [NOX is in both categories].

In addition to improving public health, Todd Spangler of the Detroit Free Press writes that the reduced sulfur standards in gasoline "helps emission control equipment on cars and trucks perform better". McCarthy notes that applies to both "existing vehicles and on new ones."

From a political perspective, the auto industry alligned itself with environmentalists, while the energy industry stood alone in opposition to the new standards. The American Petroleum Institute claimed the new EPA gasoline regulations are costly and counterproductive, "raising gas prices 10 cents a gallon", writes Alicia Mundy of The Wall Street Journal

Speaking with reporters Monday, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy disagreed with that assessment, saying the increase would likely be less than one cent a gallon.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which includes 12 of the largest makers, supported the new rules. Mike Robinson, a GM vice president, said the rules effectively harmonize federal and various state vehicle-emissions requirements, such as California's. "The benefit from our standpoint is that you get to do this once, instead of several times," he said.

Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, writes that the new standards are "good news for everyone, but it's especially important for families who live near a major road. According to the American Lung Association, living or working near a major roadway results in a greater risk of health problems, especially for children and teenagers."

Monday, March 3, 2014 in EPA Connect

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight