Section § 13440

Explanation

This law requires the California Department of Motor Vehicles to set standards for different types of vehicle fuels, like gasoline, ethanol, and natural gas. These standards should match the most current guidelines from organizations like ASTM or SAE, but can't be less strict than California state laws. For blends of gasoline and methanol, they must include a similar or higher percentage of another alcohol, like butanol, unless the EPA says otherwise. Fuels like gasoline must have a minimum antiknock index of 87, and specific standards are set for different counties in California. Each type of fuel should meet specific ASTM international standards, and if certain fuels don't have established standards, interim ones can be made by the authorities.

(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(a) The department shall establish specifications for automotive spark-ignition engine fuels. The department shall adopt by reference the latest standards established by a recognized consensus organization or standards writing organization such as ASTM International or SAE International, for automotive spark-ignition engine fuel, except that no specification shall be less stringent than required by any California state law.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(b) Any gasoline-oxygenate blend containing methanol shall also contain an alcohol cosolvent (butanol or higher molecular weight alcohol) in an amount equal to or greater than the volume percentage of methanol except those blends previously granted a waiver by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(c)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(c) The antiknock index as defined in Section 13400 for gasoline, gasoline oxygenated blends, and dimethyl ether-propane fuel blends shall not be less than 87.
(d)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(d) Gasoline and gasoline-oxygenate blends shall meet the latest specifications set forth in ASTM International Standard Specification D4814.
(e)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, gasoline sold for use in Inyo or Mono County, or the portion of Kern County lying east of the Los Angeles County Aqueduct, shall comply with the latest specification set forth in ASTM International Standard Specification D4814 relating to volatility class standards for the season during which the gasoline is sold for either the interior region or the southeast region of California.
(f)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(f) Ethanol fuel blends shall meet the latest specifications set forth in ASTM International Standard Specification D5798.
(g)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(g) Methanol fuel blends shall meet the latest specifications set forth in ASTM International Standard Specification D5797.
(h)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(h) Liquefied petroleum gas for use as a motor vehicle fuel shall meet the latest specifications set forth in ASTM International Standard Specification D1835.
(i)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(i) Dimethyl ether-propane fuel blends for use as motor vehicle fuel shall meet the latest specifications set forth by the ASTM International. If no ASTM International specifications exist, the secretary shall establish interim specifications by regulation.
(j)CA Business and Professions Code § 13440(j) Natural gas for use as a motor vehicle fuel shall meet the latest specification set forth by the ASTM International or SAE International.

Section § 13440.5

Explanation

When calculating how much ethanol is in an ethanol-gasoline blend for fuel, you need to include the volume of any additives mixed with the ethanol, as long as these additives do not go over the limits set by the latest ASTM International standard. However, these standards cannot be less strict than California's state laws.

For purposes of determining the percentage of ethanol in a gasoline-oxygenate blend for use as a fuel, the volume of ethanol includes the volume of any denaturant (including gasoline) that is added to the extent that these denaturants do not exceed the maximum volume percent specified in the latest standard established by ASTM International, except that no standard shall be less stringent than required by any California state law.

Section § 13441

Explanation

This law prohibits anyone from selling something as gasoline or engine fuel unless it meets certain specifications set by the law.

It is unlawful for any person to sell any product as, or purporting to be, gasoline or automotive spark-ignition engine fuel, unless the product conforms to the specifications of this article.

Section § 13442

Explanation

This law makes it illegal to sell or offer motor vehicle fuel that doesn't meet specific labeling requirements. If the fuel doesn't have a recognized brand, you must clearly label it as 'no brand' and must also prominently indicate 'not gasoline' on the label or sign. These labeling rules don't apply to fuels like kerosene, diesel, or other specified fuels. Additionally, this law doesn't apply to electricity used as vehicle fuel.

(a)CA Business and Professions Code § 13442(a) It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, or cause or permit to be sold or offered for sale, or deliver or offer for delivery, any product used as a motor vehicle fuel for internal combustion engines at any place where motor vehicle fuels are kept or stored for sale, which does not conform to the requirements of this article, unless and until there shall be firmly attached to or painted upon each container, receptacle, pump, and inlet end of the fill pipe of each underground storage tank, or other equipment used for storage of motor vehicle fuel, from which or into which the motor vehicle fuel is drawn or poured for sale or delivery, a sign or label, plainly visible, comprising the brand, trademark, or trade name of such fuel, or the words “no brand,” that words shall be in letters of gothic type with a stroke of not less than one-eighth inch in width and not less than one inch in height, and also the words “not gasoline” in red letters of gothic type with a stroke of not less than one-half inch in width and not less than three inches in height, on a white background and not less than twice the size of any other letters or words appearing on or near the label or sign.
(b)CA Business and Professions Code § 13442(b) The provisions of this article, as to the words “not gasoline,” shall not apply to signs or labels used in connection with the sale or delivery of kerosene, jet or turbine fuel, diesel fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, or motor fuel comprised of a mixture of gasoline and lubricating oil properly labeled in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 (commencing with Section 13480).
(c)CA Business and Professions Code § 13442(c) This section does not apply to electricity sold as a motor vehicle fuel.

Section § 13443

Explanation

This law requires a sign or label on the inlet end of an underground storage tank's fill-pipe. The sign must be securely attached and easy to see while the tank is being filled. The size of the letters on the sign can be any size that is convenient.

The sign or label required by this article to be attached to the inlet end of the fill-pipe of an underground storage tank shall consist of a tag or plate firmly attached or affixed and plainly visible while the tank is being filled. The letters on such sign or label may be of any convenient size.