Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Information:

New Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel and new engines and vehicles with advanced emissions control systems offer significant air quality improvement.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) have issued new standards to improve air quality.

To meet these standards, the petroleum industry is producing Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, a cleaner burning diesel fuel containing a maximum 15 parts-per-million (ppm) sulfur. By June 1, 2006, all diesel fuel produced or imported for use in California will be ULSD fuel, replacing most Low Sulfur Diesel fuel which contains up to a maximum of 500 ppm sulfur.

In combination with cleaner-burning diesel engines and vehicles, ULSD fuel will help to improve air quality by significantly reducing emissions.

Diesel engines power vehicles and equipment for both highway and non-road uses. EPA and CARB requirements for highway fuel will be predominantly implemented by mid-2006.

• By June 1, 2006, refiners and importers must ensure that 100 percent of the volume of the highway and non-road diesel fuel they produce or import for use in California is ULSD-compliant.
• Diesel fuel classified as ULSD must reach California distribution and marketing points downstream from refineries (i.e., pipelines, distributors, terminals and transporters) by July 15, 2006.
• ULSD fuel requirements take effect at retail locations that sell diesel fuel in California by September 1, 2006.
• Diesel fuel classified as Low Sulfur Diesel may still be sold at retail locations outside of California between September 1, 2006 and December 1, 2010.

Effective Dates for ULSD Fuel in California

*Orginal source from Clean Diesel Fuel Alliance Information Center