Alternative Fuel Conversion Certification Procedures for New and In-Use On-Road Vehicles and Engines

Background

California regulations prohibit the conversion of emission-controlled vehicles to operate on an alternative fuel, such as natural gas or propane, unless the conversion has been evaluated and certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). If the conversion is done before the legal title has been transferred to an ultimate purchaser the conversion manufacturer is considered the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and must comply with CARB’s new vehicle or engine certification requirements. Conversions done after the legal title has been transferred are considered in-use conversions and must comply with CARB’s alternative fuel retrofit system certification procedures.

On August 14, 2012 CARB conducted a public workshop to discuss current alternate fuel conversion requirements for new and used vehicles and engines used in such vehicles. See

Mail-out MSO #2012-02, Public Workshop to Discuss Current Alternative Fuel Conversion Requirements for New and Used Vehicles and Engines used in Such Vehicles
- Workshop Slide Presentation
Mail-Out MSO #2013-03, Public Workshop To Discuss Newly Approved Alternative Fuel Retrofit System Certification Procedures for In-Use Vehicles and Engines

In September, 2014 CARB amended the certification procedures for 1994 through 2003 model years alternative fuel conversion kits, and adopted new certification procedures for 2004 model year and later alternative fuel conversion kits. These amendments are in Title 13, California Code of Regulations, Sections 2030 and 2031 and incorporated test procedures.

This page provides a list of the most common ARB new and in-use on-road vehicle and engine emission-related regulations and test procedures that manufacturers are required to follow to obtain an alternative fuel conversion certification. Manufacturers are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate certification section prior to submitting an application to schedule a pre-certification meeting to assist them in determining the requirements specific to their application.

Regulations and Test Procedures

For new light and medium-duty on-road alternative fuel conversion certifications the following regulations and test procedures apply:

Primary Subject Matter	Description
LEV Regulations and Test Procedures	The following are California's regulations and test procedures for low-emission vehicles (LEV) and zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) in the passenger car, light-duty truck, and chassis certified medium-duty vehicle classes. Low-Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program. The California Low-Emission Vehicle Regulations for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles, including all or portions of Sections 1900, 1956.8, 1960.1, 1960.5, 1961, 1961.1, 1961.2, 1961.3, 1962, 1962.1, 1962.2, 1962.3, 1965, 1976, 1978, 2062, and 2101, Title 13, California Code of Regulations (13 CCR), as of October 1, 2019 (last amended October 1, 2019.) The "California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 through 2014 Model Criteria Pollutant Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures and 2009 through 2016 Model Greenhouse Gas Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles," as of December 31, 2012, (last amended December 6, 2012. The "California 2015 and Subsequent Model Criteria Pollutant Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures and 2017 and Subsequent Model Greenhouse Gas Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles," as of April 1, 2019 (last amended December 19, 2018.) The California exhaust regulations reference the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) test procedures in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 86, Subparts B, C, and S. These procedures are available from the U.S. EPA's Certification and Compliance for Onroad Vehicles and Engines web page.
Evaporative Regulations and Test Procedures	The following are California's evaporative and refueling regulations and test procedures for passenger cars, light-duty trucks, and chassis certified medium-duty vehicles. Evaporative Emission Controls For On-Road Motor Vehicles. T13 CCR § 1976, Standards and Test Procedures for Motor Vehicle Fuel Evaporative Emissions. The "California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles," last amended September 2, 2015. The “California Refueling Emission Standards And Test Procedures For 2001 And Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles,” last amended September 2, 2015. The California evaporative regulations reference the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) test procedures in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 86, Subparts A, B, and S. These procedures are available from the U.S. EPA's Certification and Compliance for Onroad Vehicles and Engines web page.
On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD II).	The following are California's on-board diagnostics II (OBD II) requirements. OBD - On-Board Diagnostic Program. T13 CCR § 1968.2, Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements for 2004 and Subsequent Model-Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles and Engines (OBD II).
California Emissions Warranty.	The California emissions warranty requirements are in T13 CCR § 2035, et seq. T13 CCR § 2035, Purpose, Applicability, and Definitions. T13 CCR § 2036, Defects Warranty Requirements. T13 CCR § 2037, Defects Warranty Requirements for 1990+ Model PC, LDT, MDV, and Motor Vehicle Engines Used in Such Vehicles. T13 CCR § 2038, Performance Warranty Requirements for 1990+ Model PC, LDT, and MDV, and Motor Vehicle Engines Used in Such Vehicles. T13 CCR § 2039, Emissions Control System Warranty Statement. T13 CCR § 2040, Vehicle Owner Obligations. T13 CCR § 2041, Mediation; Finding of Warrantable Condition. Emission Warranty Parts List
Emissions Labeling.	The California emissions labeling requirements are in T13 CCR § 1965. For the Vehicle Emission Control Information (VECI) label specifications, see the California Exhaust Test Procedures, Part I, C.3. VECI Label Specs For Model years 2001-2014 VECI Label Specs For Model years 2015 and subsequent "California Environmental Performance Label Specifications for 2009 and Subsequent Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Passenger Vehicles," last amended September 2, 2015. MAC 2009-01, Implementation of New Environmental Performance Label Attachment to MAC 2009-01, Test Group Information Format "California Environmental Performance Label Specifications for 2021 and Subsequent Model Year Medium-Duty Vehicles, Except Medium-Duty Passenger Vehicles," adopted December 19, 2018. MAC 2019-02 - Environmental Performance Label Requirements For Medium-Duty Vehicle Manufacturers On And After January 1, 2021. Attachment: Template For Requesting GHG And Smog Ratings Approval.

For new heavy-duty and incomplete medium-duty on-road alternative fuel conversion certifications the following regulations and test procedures apply.

Primary Subject Matter	Description
Heavy-Duty Engine Emissions Regulations and Test Procedures	"California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2004 and Subsequent Model Heavy-Duty Otto-Cycle Engines" (last amended December 19, 2018) California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2004 and Subsequent Model Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines and Vehicles" (last amended April 18, 2019) The "California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 through 2014 Model Criteria Pollutant Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures and 2009 through 2016 Model Greenhouse Gas Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles," (last amended December 6, 2012. The "California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles," last amended September 2, 2015.
Heavy‑Duty On‑Board Diagnostics II (OBD II)	Title 13 CCR § 1971.1. On-Board Diagnostic System Requirements--2010 and Subsequent Model-Year Heavy-Duty Engines.

Primary
Subject
Matter

Description

Heavy-Duty Engine Emissions Regulations and Test Procedures

"California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2004 and Subsequent Model Heavy-Duty Otto-Cycle Engines" (last amended December 19, 2018)
California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2004 and Subsequent Model Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines and Vehicles" (last amended April 18, 2019)
The "California Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 through 2014 Model Criteria Pollutant Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures and 2009 through 2016 Model Greenhouse Gas Exhaust Emission Standards and Test Procedures for Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles," (last amended December 6, 2012.
The "California Evaporative Emission Standards and Test Procedures for 2001 and Subsequent Model Motor Vehicles," last amended September 2, 2015.

Heavy‑Duty On‑Board Diagnostics II (OBD II)

Title 13 CCR § 1971.1. On-Board Diagnostic System Requirements--2010 and Subsequent Model-Year Heavy-Duty Engines.

For in-use light, medium and heavy-duty on-road alternative fuel conversion certifications the following regulations and test procedures apply:

California certification and installation procedures for certifying retrofit systems designed to convert vehicles to operate on natural gas, propane, or alcohol fuels.

Contacts

For more information regarding new on-road light-duty alternative fuel conversion certification, please email the On‑Road Light-Duty Certification Section.

For more information regarding new on-road heavy-duty alternative fuel conversion certification, please email the Compression-Ignition and Heavy-Duty Certification Section.

For more information regarding in-use alternative fuel conversion certification, please email Tony Martino, manager, Aftermarket Parts Section, or phone at (626) 575-6848