South Korea: Light-duty: Emissions

South Korea: Light-duty: Emissions

Overview

Since 2009, gasoline and gas-fueled vehicles are subject to California’s NMOG (Non-Methane Organic Gases) fleet average system. Evaporative emissions limits were tightened in 2013. Since 2014, diesel vehicles are subject to Euro 6 regulations.

Standard type
Conventional pollutant emission limits

Regulating Body
Ministry of Environment

Applicability
Passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles less than 3.5 tons (3500kg)

History

South Korea has regulated emissions from motor vehicles for over two decades. Major updates to emissions standards occurred in 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, and 2013. In 2009, South Korea adopted California’s Non Methane Organic Gases (NMOG) Fleet Average System (FAS) for gasoline-fueled vehicles. This FAS enables car manufacturers to have a range of models with different emissions levels. However, each carmaker’s fleet is required to meet a prescribed level of NMOG emissions on average. This average level of emissions is lowered over time. The timeline of average emissions standards is shown below in the technical standards section.

Diesel vehicle emissions standards follow the European precedent. As of 2002, emissions standards were equivalent with Euro 3. Emissions improvements have accelerated since then. In 2006, emissions for diesel vehicles were equivalent to Euro 4 until 2009, when the Euro 5 level was adopted. Since 2014, diesel vehicle emissions standards have been regulated under Euro 6.

Technical Standards

Gasoline Vehicles

Gasoline and gas-fueled vehicles are subject to California’s NMOG (Non-Methane Organic Gases) FAS (Fleet Average System). In the FAS, carmakers can choose one of four standards, each with different levels of emissions standards. The standards 1,2,3, and 4 are functionally equivalent to California’s LEV, ULEV, SULEV and ZEV1, respectively.

Emissions Standards for Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles
Implementation Date Standard Tailpipe emissions (g/km) Blow-by Gas Emissions (g/cycle) Evaporative Gas Emissions (g/test) Formaldehyde (g/km) Test Cycle
CO NOx HC
1 Jan 2009 Standard 1 A 2.11 0.031 0.047 0 2 0.009 CVS-751
B 2.61 0.044 0.056 0 2 0.011
Standard 2 A 1.06 0.031 0.025 0 2 0.005
B 1.31 0.044 0.034 0 2 0.007
Standard 3 0.625 0.0125 0.00625 0 2 0.0025
Standard 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 Jan 2013 Standard 1 A 2.11 0.031 0.047 0 1.2 0.009 CVS-75
B 2.61 0.044 0.056 0 1.2 0.011
Standard 2 A 1.06 0.031 0.025 0 1.2 0.005
B 1.31 0.044 0.034 0 1.2 0.007
Standard 3 0.625 0.0125 0.00625 0 1.2 0.0025
Standard 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
Notes:
1 CVS-75 is identical to the FTP-75 (Federal Test Procedure 75) in the US.

Diesel Vehicles

Since 2014, diesel vehicles have been subject to Euro 6 regulations.

Emissions Standards for Light-Duty Diesel Vehicles
Implementation Date Vehicle Type Reference Weight CO NOx HC+NOx PM PN Test Cycle
kg g/km #/km
1 Sep 2009 Passenger car 0.5 0.18 0.23 0.005 ECE-15, EUDC
Light and Medium Commercial Vehicle <=1305 0.5 0.18 0.23 0.005
1305-1760 0.63 0.235 0.295 0.005
>1760 0.74 0.28 0.35 0.005
1 Jan 2014 Passenger car 0.5 0.08 0.17 0.0045 6×1011 ECE-15, EUDC
Light and Medium Commercial Vehicle <=1305 0.5 0.08 0.17 0.0045 6×1011
1305-1760 0.63 0.105 0.195 0.0045 6×1011
>1760 0.74 0.125 0.215 0.0045 6×1011

Show 1 footnote

  1. Transitional Low Emission Vehicles (TLEV), Low Emission Vehicles (LEV), Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV), Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (SULEV) Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV)

Contact Us

Questions or updates about policies?