Conventional pollutant emission limits
Regulating Body
Environment and Climate Change Canada
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.
Technical Standards
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.
| Engine Displacement (cm³) |
HC (g/km) |
CO (g/km) |
|---|---|---|
| ≥ 50 | 5.0 | 12 |
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.
| Class | Engine Displacement (cm³) |
Useful Life |
|---|---|---|
| I | 50 – 169 | 5.0 years or 12,000 km, whichever comes first |
| II | 170- 279 | 5.0 years or 18,000 km, whichever comes first |
| III | 280+ | 5.0 years or 30,000 km, whichever comes first |
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.
| Class | Engine displacement (cm³) | Useful life |
|---|---|---|
| Class I-A | <50 | 5.0 years or 6,000 km, whichever comes first |
| Class I-B | 50-169 | 5.0 years or 12,000 km, whichever comes first |
| Class II | 170-279 | 5.0 years or 18,000 km, whichever comes first |
| Class III | 280+ | 5.0 years or 30,000 km, whichever comes first |
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).
| Implementation Model Year | Motorcycle Class | Engine Displacement (cm³) |
HC (g/km) |
HC+NOx (g/km) |
CO (g/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 and later | I-B | <170 | 1.0 | 1.4* | 12.0 |
| II | 170-279 | 1.0 | 1.4* | 12.0 | |
| 2006-2009 (Tier I) | III | 280+ | – | 1.4 | 12.0 |
| 2010 and later (Tier 2) | – | 0.8 | 12.0 | ||
| Notes: *Companies have the option of meeting a combined HC+NOx standard for Class I and II motorcycles instead of the HC standard. Companies may use optional emission averaging to demonstrate compliance with HC+NOx standards. Compliance with optional emission averaging for Class I and Class II motorcycles is demonstrated on the basis of the combined fleet of Class I and Class II motorcycles that are certified to the optional HC+NOx standard (i.e. certified to Family Emission Limit or “FEL”). |
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Links
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 and Climate Change Canada
Additional Resources
Discussion Document: Updating Canada’s Motorcycle Emission Standards to Align with New US Rules
