What is volatility-controlled gasoline?
Volatility is the tendency of gasoline to evaporate. Evaporated gasoline is a particular air pollution problem during high summer temperatures. Because evaporated gasoline contributes to smog formation, volatility limits are placed on all gasoline sold in the United States during the summer high-ozone season. The limits, or standards, are expressed in terms of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP), the technical measure of gasoline?s tendency to evaporate. These limits apply only during summer months, generally between June 1 and Sept. 15. However, the RVP standards last through Sept. 30 in Phoenix, Ariz. and East Texas, and through Oct. 31 in California.
