Global automakers support Canada’s federal proposal to improve fuel quality and emissions

Global Automakers of Canada (GAC) issued a statement on June 7 that it agreed with Canada’s Environment Minister Peter Kent’s commitment to adopt new national regulations to improve fuel quality, reduce sulfur content in gasoline, and encourage the introduction of cleaner, more fuel-efficient advanced engine technologies.
Environment Canada’s proposal will reduce the sulfur content of gasoline to an average of 10 parts per million (ppm) from the current 30 ppm average. Sulfur in fuels not only directly contributes to sulfur oxide emissions, but also inhibits the ability of catalytic converters to operate at optimal efficiency.
“A consistent supply of cleaner 10 ppm sulfur [fuel] and a low sulfur cap will ensure all Canadians have access to cleaner fuels and will help usher in advanced engine technologies to assist the industry in meeting stringent new fuel efficiency standards,” said David Adams, president of GAC.
For several years, GAC has called on the federal government to introduce regulations to require cleaner fuels including ultra-low sulfur gasoline. “While our members have dramatically reduced vehicle NOx and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 99% compared to the pre-control period of the late 1960s and 70s, we are ready to go further,” said Adams.
These new Canadian regulations are expected to be similar to programs in the U.S. “It is imperative that Canada develops national emissions and fuel quality regulations in close collaboration with the U.S. EPA’s proposed Tier 3 program and California’s [Low Emission Vehicle] (LEV) III standards which were finalized in 2012. This will help the industry build economies of scale across North America, and minimize added costs for consumers.”
To meet the challenging Canadian Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations already in place for the 2011-2016 model years, and the even-more stringent proposed targets for the 2017-2025 model years, automakers and customers require a nationwide supply of clean, ultra-low sulfur gasoline and advanced emission-control technologies.
Global Automakers of Canada is the national industry association representing the Canadian interests of 15 leading international automakers–BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar/Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. GAC advocates for sound public policy to support a competitive and sustainable Canadian automotive market. More than 54% of the members’ 2012 new vehicles were manufactured in Canada or the NAFTA region. In 2013, Natural Resources Canada recognized members with 7 out of 10 ecoENERGY Efficiency for Vehicles awards.
(June 7, 2013)