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The economy of the United States and of other developed nations in the world is energy-intensive and societies in these countries are mobile. Furthermore, world energy consumption and mobility are increasing. These increases result from public demand; society sets the pattern for growth. Much of this demand for increased mobility will be satisfied by the automobile and the requisite energy by the gasoline which fuels it. However, concern over the role of the automobile as a contributor of atmospheric pollutants and the early imposition of restrictive exhaust emission standards, particularly in the United States, is leading to a critical predicament. This is a consequence of the increased volumes of fuel required for engines and control systems being developed to meet the standards and a growing supply problem for gasoline derived from fossil fuels.

International concern over air quality and the recognition that the internal combustion engine-powered passenger car is a contributor of atmospheric pollutants has imposed restrictive design criteria upon both the automobile manufacturer and the petroleum refiner. For the passenger car engine builder serving the American market, these criteria have been specified by the emission standards required by the Clean Air Amendments of 1970. On the other hand, gasolines for these low-emitting passenger cars have only recently been specified and their required quality and performance characteristics have not yet been completely spelled out. This paper discusses the influence of emission control requirements on future gasoline quality. Lead antiknocks, hydrocarbon composition, and gross physical properties are among the factors considered and an effort is made to quantify the effects of changes in these characteristics on emissions and to estimate their impact on the industry.

The national concern over air quality and the understanding of the role of the internal combustion engine powered passenger car as a contributor of atmospheric pollutants has imposed new design criteria upon both the automobile manufacturer and the petroleum refiner. For the passenger car engine builder these criteria have been specified by the emission standards required by the Clean Air Amendments of 1970. With certain exceptions, gasolines for these low-emitting passenger cars have not yet been specified nor have their required quality and performance characteristics been clearly spelled out. This paper attempts to judge the influence of emission control requirements on future gasoline quality. Lead anti-knocks, hydrocarbon compositions and gross physical properties are among the factors considered and an effort is made to quantify the effects of changes in these characteristics on emissions and to estimate their impact on the industry.