PZEV Vehicles

I was doing some research on the PZEV vehicles currently available, and I was shocked to find what a massive quantity of PZEVs are available in states *other* that Tennessee. Though I guess it makes sense, we’re too happy with our V8s and SUVs to really care that much. However, for those that care I found a great article on GreenCar.com about the PZEVs that are currently available. But first, a friendly definition from the much linked Wikipedia article on these environmentaly friendly vehicles…

A Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) is an administrative category within the U.S. state of California for low emission vehicles.

This vehicle category was created as part of a bargain with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), so that the automobile manufacturers could postpone producing mandated zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), which will require the production electric vehicles or Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The vehicles constructed to meet the PZEV requirements are called Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (SULEVs). Various techniques are used to reduce pollution in these vehicles. In order to qualify as a PZEV, a vehicle must meet the SULEV standard and, in addition, have zero evaporative emissions from its fuel system plus an extended (15-year/150,000-mile) warranty on its emission-control components, which incidentally covers the propulsion electrical components of a hybrid electric vehicle. The federal Clean Air Act outlaws the sale of these vehicles anywhere except in California, New York, and six other northeast states that share California’s emission standards.

Enjoy the above article, I know I did. After some ninja googleing, I found what seems to be one of the more exhaustive lists of PZEV rated vehicles on the driveclean.ca.gov website.

I was stunned to find that the really sexy BMW 328Ci Coupe was a PZEV rated vehicle. For those of you playing the home game, this is a 3.0 liter, DOHC 24-valve inline 6 cylinder; 230 HP @ 6500 rpm. That’s a hell of a lot of car, in a surprisingly environmental package. Actually when you get right down to it, it’s pretty stunning just how many models there are for every brand. From BMW to Mercedes-Benz, from Volvo to the always popular Honda Accords… kind of makes you wonder why the fact that these vehicles and this technology exists isn’t over all the news.