What is EPA’s  National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory & What does it do?

  • Globally recognized as the world’s premier automotive emissions research and compliance facility
  • Employes 335 Federal employee 40% with PhD, MS or JDs
  • Fiscal Year17 $108M (mostly from Science and Technology Account)

Protects Human Health- sets scientifically based pollution standards for every kind of mobile source--cars, SUVs, minivans, pickups, large trucks, buses, motorcycles, off-road equipment, trains, airplanes, ships, etc.--and their fuels

  • EPA estimates these standards prevent more than 65,000 U.S. deaths yearly.
  • The GHG Fuel Economy standards for cars and trucks may be the single most important action taken by any country to address climate change

Protects Consumers - Ensures vehicles/engines sold in the U.S. comply with pollution standards

  • Certifies that new vehicle & engine models meet EPA emissions standards before sale.
    • NVFEL Issues 4,500 emissions certificates each year for over 1000 vehicle and engine manufacturers
  • Registers & monitors fuels &  fuel additives (8400 additives, 900 Fuels over 2000 refiners, importers and terminal facilities)
  • Implements Renewable Fuels program - more than 6 million transactions per yr.
  • Monitors consumer-owned vehicles & engines emissions ensuring products remain clean over time
  • Generates fuel economy labels on all new cars and all data the Department of Transportation uses to implement corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards

Protects Manufacturers by ensuring those that comply with standards are not  disadvantaged by manufacturers who willfully cheat.

NVFEL’s compliance oversight led to the historic $25 billion settlement with Volkswagen and current negotiations with Fiat Chrysler over diesel emission cheating

Creates Innovation - NVFEL’s sparks technology innovation (e.g. catalytic converters, unleaded fuel, on-board microprocessors), making cars cleaner, more reliable, durable, and higher performing.

  • Cars and SUV’s today emit 99% less pollution than a 1970 model

Assists States to implement cost-effective programs to achieve clean air and climate protection

Provides Economic Growth. NVFEL generates @ 5000 jobs in SW Michigan.  Manufacturers, like Toyota & Hyundai, located technology centers in SE Michigan to be proximate to NVFEL-investing millions of dollars.   Nationally, the emissions control industry employs 65,000.

What is the cost of these life-saving benefits?

  • Each U.S. household pays about 80 cents per year to support health and consumer protections that NVFEL’s work provides
  • Federal studies suggest that EPA vehicle standards save about $9 in health and consumer savings for every $1 spent on technology

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