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5 Things You Need to Know About Near Zero Emissions Vehicles
By Jennifer Olvera
What Near Zero Emissions Vehicles Are
Near Zero Emissions Vehicles – also called PZEVs or Partial Zero Emission Vehicles – run on regular gasoline but give off nearly no emissions. These vehicles are the result of California's Zero Emission Vehicle program, which dates back to 1990. Essentially, the PZEV category was created by California in an effort to allow car manufacturers to meet the state's Zero Emission Vehicle requirements through partial credits earned by vehicles with near-zero emissions, rather than exclusively through true zero-emission vehicles like electric cars or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Standards for Near Zero Emissions Vehicles
In order for vehicles to meet the PZEV requirements, a near zero emission vehicle must fit the standards of the Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (SULEV) category and have no evaporative emissions whatsoever from its fuel system. It also must have an extended 150,000-mile/15-year warranty on its emission-control components. PZEV models are being manufactured by most major automakers. Various approaches are used to reduce the pollution of these vehicles including very sophisticated emission control systems and advanced catalytic converters.
The AT-PZEV Is An Offshoot
Advanced Technology PZEVs, or AT-PZEVs, are vehicles that achieve this same near-zero emissions level and also use an advanced propulsion system or fuel. Gasoline electric hybrids and Honda's Civic GX natural gas vehicle are among these. .
Near Zero Emissions Vehicles Aren't Always Available
Currently, near zero emissions vehicles aren't readily available in all states. Cars adhering to PZEV standards can be found in California, New York, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont and the surrounding areas where California's stringent motor vehicle pollution control standards are used. Other states, such as Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Oregon are expected to follow suit.
Reasons for the Delay
The introduction of near zero emissions vehicles into the marketplace is slower than it could be, in part because PZEV certification is not offered except for in a handful of states. The reason is straightforward: Although the increased cost of producing these vehicles is small (estimates are in the range of a few hundred dollars), they do cost manufacturers more and require an extended emissions control warranty. Thus, there is no incentive outside of the "green" states to sell them.
Jennifer Olvera, a graduate of DePaul University in Chicago, has been writing professionally for over a decade. In addition to covering the "green scene" for publications such as Where Magazine and Crain's, she has become one of the preeminent dining, food, and entertainment writers in Chicago. She has regularly been published in Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Zagat, Citysearch.com, and Gayot.com.
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