Colombia: On-Road Vehicles and Engines
Emission standards for model year 2010 and later vehicles in Colombia are outlined in Resolution 910 of 2008 [4433]. This Resolution covers light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The primary focus is on-road vehicles as many non-road applications are excluded. Resolution 1111 of 2013 modified the 2008 Resolution to introduce Euro 4/IV and US EPA Tier 2/2010 limits and to regulate emissions from natural gas and LPG heavy-duty engines [4434]. In 2019, Law 1972 was issued to propose further lowering the limits for new diesel vehicles to Euro VI or equivalent and new light-duty gasoline vehicles to Euro 4 or equivalent in 2023 [4435]. Resolution 762 of 2022 confirmed the latter [6871]. Table 1 summarizes the emission requirements for on-road vehicles in Colombia.
| Application | Emission Limits | Applicability Date |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline light- and medium-duty | US EPA Tier 1 or Euro 2 | MY 2010 |
| US EPA Tier 2 or Euro 4 | 01.2023 | |
| Diesel light- and medium-duty | US EPA Tier or Euro 2 | MY 2010 |
| US EPA Tier 2 or Euro 4 | 09.2013 | |
| Euro 6 or equivalent | 01.2023 | |
| Gasoline heavy-duty engines | US EPA 1998 | MY 2010 |
| NG and LPG heavy-duty engines | US EPA 2005 or Euro IV | 09.2010 |
| Euro VI or equivalent | 01.2023 | |
| Diesel heavy-duty engines | US EPA 1996 or Euro II | MY 2010 |
| Euro IV or equivalenta | 09.2013 | |
| Euro VI or equivalent | 01.2023 | |
| a Euro V with OBD or US EPA 2010 with HD OBD are considered to be equivalent | ||
Law 1972 of 2019 also has several other provisions, including:
- OBD requirements for diesel vehicles are to be introduced by 2021;
- a ban on heavy-duty diesel vehicles nationwide after January 2035 unless they meet Euro VI or equivalent emission limits;
- a requirement that many mass transit fleets have minimum of 20% zero emission vehicles [4435].
In May 2024, Colombia signed the Zero Emission Vehicles Declaration, committing it to ensuring that all new car and van sales are zero-emission by 2040.
In-use Vehicle Testing. Resolution 910 of 2008 also includes emission limits that apply to in-use vehicles. Spark ignition engines are subject to maximum limits on CO and HC that depend on vehicle age while diesel vehicles are subject to maximum exhaust opacity limits [4433]. Inclusion of a PN limit for in-use testing of vehicles fitted with a DPF is being considered.
Fuel Quality. As required by Law 1972 of 2019, commercial diesel fuel (on-road and nonroad) has been limited to a maximum of 15 ppm starting January 1, 2023 and 10 ppm starting December 1, 2025 [4435][6872]. Previously, sulfur had been limited to 50 mg/kg since December 31, 2012 [4436].
Since 2023, gasoline has been limited to 50 mg/kg sulfur [6872]. The limit is scheduled to drop to 10 mg/kg January 1, 2031. Previously, the limit was set to 300 mg/kg in 2011.