Canada: Motorcycles: Emissions

Overview

 * Standard type: Conventional pollutant emission limits
 * Regulating body: Environment Canada
 * Current standard: Varies for different classes and model years, as specified in 2006 Regulations Amending the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emissions Regulations
 * Applicability: Model Year 2006 and later for Class I, II, and III motorcycles

History
Motorcycles are regulated under the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations, mandated by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act of 1999. The Regulations became effective on 1 January 2004 for motorcycles and contain emission standards for various classes of on-road vehicles and for heavy-duty engines, including requirements for motorcycles of the 2004 and later model years. These Regulations are designed to align Canadian requirements with corresponding US federal emission standards.

On 15 January 2004, the US EPA published a new final rule to introduce more stringent emission standards for on-road motorcycles beginning in the 2006 model year. The EPA rule introduced some new important elements in both the application and structure of future US motorcycle emission standards. These elements must be addressed in order to maintain Canada/US alignment with respect to motorcycle emission standards. Amendments to the Regulations were adopted in November 2006, and introduce new requirements for 2006 and later model year on-road motorcycles. The changes ensure that Canadian emission standards for on-road motorcycles remain aligned with more stringent standards adopted by the US EPA. The amendments also contain miscellaneous editorial changes.

2004-2005 Emission Standards
Canada had motorcycle emissions limits for HC and CO. Exhaust emissions from on-road motorcycles must not have exceeded the emission limits outlined in the table below, when tested in accordance with specified procedures.

While all on-road motorcycles were required to meet the above standards, they were divided into three classes based on engine displacement, and each class had a different useful life. The useful life is the period of time and use for which a motorcycle is required to comply with applicable emission standards.

2006 and later Emission Standards
Starting with the 2006 model year, EPA re-defined Class I to include motorcycles with engines smaller than 50 cc. These new previously unregulated vehicles are Class I-A, and the pre-existing Class I became Class I-B. Environment Canada continued to align with US regulations.

The table below summarizes the new on-road motorcycle exhaust emission standards and implementation schedules, aligned with US standards and schedules. These more stringent emission standards will automatically apply to all current classes of on-road motorcycles (i.e. Class I-B to III).

Regulatory Documents
On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

Amendments to On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emissions Regulations

Regulatory Agencies

Environment Canada