tolOil Programmes

The US and European AutoiOil Programmes were designed to help improve air quality by providing further knowledge (and advising regulators) about the relationships between fuels, engine technology, vehicle emissions and urban air quality. Through testing and air quality modelling studies they demonstrated some of the potential improvements due tu vehicle technology and fuel (especially gasoline) reformulation. The US Air Quality Improvement Research Program (AQIRP) was initiated in 1989 and was the first large-scale project to involve the environmental self-regulation and collaboration of two major industries, the automotive and oil industries (with a coordinating body). The European Auto/Oil Programme was inspired by the US Program, it had a similar framework but several important differences. This paper compares the two programmes and considers the differences and similarities in the fbels and vehicles tested, the emissions measured, the methuds and the resdts. It examines the major motivating factors behind these choices; these include contrasting air qualities and problems, environmental priorities, influences behind the programmes, legal histories and existing fuel and vehicle situations.