Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
Encyclopedia
Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) is a U.S. classification for conventionally powered, natural gas powered, or gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle
designed to produce minimal emissions of certain categories of air pollution
at their exhaust, typically 90% less than that of an equivalent ordinary full gasoline vehicle for the controlled pollution categories.
s most heavily pollute when warming up the catalytic converter
, moving this closer to the engine (or even heating it electrically) will enable it to quickly become effective. Preheating the cylinder head from previously saved hot coolant is used in some vehicles. Careful management of engine shut down is required to eliminate uncombusted fuel. Engine shutdown while the vehicle is stopped, rather than idling the engine, not only reduces pollution but can greatly improve fuel economy in severe city driving. A vapor tight fuel tank and system eliminate one source of hydrocarbon
emission. Special catalytic converter
s called three-way catalytic converters reduce all three of the target pollutions from the exhaust pipe.
s delivering SULEV emissions performance include the Honda Insight
.
The Toyota Prius is no longer eligible for the California Clean Air Vehicle sticker. It is not a SULEV.
A conventionally powered example is the Ford
Focus SULEV variant. In 2005, General Motors' 3800 Series III V6 engines became the industry's first gasoline V6s to carry the SULEV rating and can be found in the Pontiac Grand Prix
(optionally supercharged), Buick LaCrosse
, and the Buick Lucerne
.
Honda's 2006 Civic Hybrid is another example of a SULEV vehicle, in addition to getting almost 45 miles per US gallon (19 km/L). Honda was one of the first car makers to offer
SULEV vehicles, starting with 2000 model year Honda Insights (Though only the CVT version attained this rating. The manual transmission version, due to its Lean burn
, got a ULEV), one model of the 2000 Honda Accord (special SULEV version of the EX 4-cylinder model, available in California) and the Natural Gas powered Honda Civic GX.
Honda's factory built Civic GX model, which runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), remains in a category by itself. In years past it has been rated the cleanest internal combustion engine on the road, achieving an Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle SULEV (2) rating. Made in Honda's East Liberty, Ohio, plant, it was introduced for fleet-purchase only in the 1998 model year but has since been available to all consumers.
BMW
's SULEV 325i, 325Ci, and 325iT were introduced in the 2003 production year with the BMW M56
motor to meet new emission requirements. The updated 2.5 liter engine, designated M56B25, was produced between 2002 and 2005. It was the first BMW SULEV.
The M56B25's power output and vehicle performance was the same as the comparable model equipped with the M54B25 engine (US only: BMW M54
). The M56 SULEV models listed above were sold in California, New York, and Massachusetts as 2003 models and in Vermont starting in the 2004 model year.
In addition, these BMW vehicles were certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV): they meet the SULEV tailpipe emission standard, which is approximately 1/5 of the ULEV standard, and they conform to the Zero Evaporative Emissions requirements.
PZEV is a more stringent variant of the SULEV standard. The Hyundai
Elantra
PZEV, the Subaru Legacy
, Forester and Outback 2.5i PZEV, the Volkswagen GTI 2.0L Turbo PZEV, and the Volkswagen Jetta
2.5 PZEV are available in the U.S. state of California in compliance with this standard.
Lexus
introduced the Lexus RX400h luxury SUV in 2006 with the SULEV rating. Lexus
marketed the LS600h L
sedan in 2007 delivering SULEV performance.
Many SULEV vehicles are only available in LEV-II states. These include California, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
, manufacturers of SULEVs can be given a partial credit for producing a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and so a vehicle of this type can be administratively designated as a Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (PZEV)
. 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 (241,000 km)) warranty on its emission-control components.
In the case of hybrid vehicles this warranty is extended to the electric propulsion components (electric motor/generator/starter, battery, inverter
, controls) and their mechanical interface to the driveline - potentially a distinct advantage to the owner of such a vehicle.
See California AB 1493 http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_1451-1500/ab_1493_bill_20050222_introduced.html.
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
designed to produce minimal emissions of certain categories of air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
at their exhaust, typically 90% less than that of an equivalent ordinary full gasoline vehicle for the controlled pollution categories.
Scope regarding emissions
Controlled pollution categories are:- Hydrocarbons
- Nitrogen oxidesNOxNOx is a generic term for the mono-nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 . They are produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in the air during combustion, especially at high temperatures...
- Carbon monoxideCarbon monoxideCarbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
Technologies
Several techniques can be used to reduce pollution. Since automobileAutomobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s most heavily pollute when warming up the catalytic converter
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
, moving this closer to the engine (or even heating it electrically) will enable it to quickly become effective. Preheating the cylinder head from previously saved hot coolant is used in some vehicles. Careful management of engine shut down is required to eliminate uncombusted fuel. Engine shutdown while the vehicle is stopped, rather than idling the engine, not only reduces pollution but can greatly improve fuel economy in severe city driving. A vapor tight fuel tank and system eliminate one source of hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons from which one hydrogen atom has been removed are functional groups, called hydrocarbyls....
emission. Special catalytic converter
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
s called three-way catalytic converters reduce all three of the target pollutions from the exhaust pipe.
Examples
Examples of hybrid vehicleHybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
s delivering SULEV emissions performance include the Honda Insight
Honda Insight
The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric vehicle manufactured by Honda and the first production vehicle to feature Honda's Integrated Motor Assist system. The first-generation Insight was produced from 1999 to 2006 as a three-door hatchback...
.
The Toyota Prius is no longer eligible for the California Clean Air Vehicle sticker. It is not a SULEV.
A conventionally powered example is the Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
Focus SULEV variant. In 2005, General Motors' 3800 Series III V6 engines became the industry's first gasoline V6s to carry the SULEV rating and can be found in the Pontiac Grand Prix
Pontiac Grand Prix
Picking up where the Pontiac Ventura model left off, the Grand Prix first appeared in the Pontiac line for 1962. It was essentially a standard Pontiac Catalina coupe with minimal outside chrome trim and a sportier interior...
(optionally supercharged), Buick LaCrosse
Buick LaCrosse
The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size entry-level luxury sedan produced by General Motors. It replaced the Buick Century and Regal in North America beginning in the 2005 model year.-North America:...
, and the Buick Lucerne
Buick Lucerne
The Buick Lucerne is a full-size car sold by the Buick division of General Motors. Introduced at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show, the Lucerne replaced both the Park Avenue and the LeSabre for the 2006 model year, and was sold through the 2011 model year...
.
Honda's 2006 Civic Hybrid is another example of a SULEV vehicle, in addition to getting almost 45 miles per US gallon (19 km/L). Honda was one of the first car makers to offer
SULEV vehicles, starting with 2000 model year Honda Insights (Though only the CVT version attained this rating. The manual transmission version, due to its Lean burn
Lean burn
Lean burn refers to the use of lean mixtures in an internal combustion engine. The air-fuel ratios can be as high as 65:1, so the mixture has considerably less fuel in comparison to the stoichiometric combustion ratio ....
, got a ULEV), one model of the 2000 Honda Accord (special SULEV version of the EX 4-cylinder model, available in California) and the Natural Gas powered Honda Civic GX.
Honda's factory built Civic GX model, which runs on compressed natural gas (CNG), remains in a category by itself. In years past it has been rated the cleanest internal combustion engine on the road, achieving an Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle SULEV (2) rating. Made in Honda's East Liberty, Ohio, plant, it was introduced for fleet-purchase only in the 1998 model year but has since been available to all consumers.
BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
's SULEV 325i, 325Ci, and 325iT were introduced in the 2003 production year with the BMW M56
BMW M56
- Background :The updated 2.5 liter engine designated M56B25, was produced between 2002 and 2005. It was the first BMW Super UltraLow Emission Vehicles and the details are listed below....
motor to meet new emission requirements. The updated 2.5 liter engine, designated M56B25, was produced between 2002 and 2005. It was the first BMW SULEV.
The M56B25's power output and vehicle performance was the same as the comparable model equipped with the M54B25 engine (US only: BMW M54
BMW M54
The BMW M54 is a straight-6 engine, debuting in the year 2000. It is an evolution of the BMW M52. The engine has Double VANOS variable valve timing to adjust timing of both intake and exhaust valves.-M54B22:...
). The M56 SULEV models listed above were sold in California, New York, and Massachusetts as 2003 models and in Vermont starting in the 2004 model year.
In addition, these BMW vehicles were certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV): they meet the SULEV tailpipe emission standard, which is approximately 1/5 of the ULEV standard, and they conform to the Zero Evaporative Emissions requirements.
PZEV is a more stringent variant of the SULEV standard. The Hyundai
Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company is a Korean multinational automaker based in Seoul, South Korea which, along with Kia, comprises the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, the world's fourth largest automaker as of 2009. As of 2011, it is the world's fastest growing automaker for two years running...
Elantra
Hyundai Elantra
Launched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
PZEV, the Subaru Legacy
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car built by the Japanese company Fuji Heavy Industries, and manufactured by its division Subaru since 1989, and is available as a sedan or wagon. Part of the original design goals for the Legacy model was to provide Subaru a vehicle in which they could compete in...
, Forester and Outback 2.5i PZEV, the Volkswagen GTI 2.0L Turbo PZEV, and the Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Jetta
Although the Golf had reached considerable success, in the North American markets, Volkswagen observed that the hatchback body style lacked some of the appeal to those who preferred the traditional three-box configuration...
2.5 PZEV are available in the U.S. state of California in compliance with this standard.
Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
introduced the Lexus RX400h luxury SUV in 2006 with the SULEV rating. Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
marketed the LS600h L
Lexus LS
The Lexus LS is a full-size luxury sedan that serves as the flagship model of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. Four generations of the sedan have been produced, all equipped with V8 engines and rear-wheel drive, although since 2006 all-wheel drive, hybrid, and long-wheelbase variants have also...
sedan in 2007 delivering SULEV performance.
Many SULEV vehicles are only available in LEV-II states. These include California, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
Tax incentives
In the State of CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, manufacturers of SULEVs can be given a partial credit for producing a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and so a vehicle of this type can be administratively designated as a Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (PZEV)
Partial zero-emissions vehicle
A Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle is a vehicle that has zero evaporative emissions from its fuel system, has a 15-year warranty on its emission-control components, and meets SULEV tailpipe-emission standards....
. 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 (241,000 km)) warranty on its emission-control components.
In the case of hybrid vehicles this warranty is extended to the electric propulsion components (electric motor/generator/starter, battery, inverter
Inverter (electrical)
An inverter is an electrical device that converts direct current to alternating current ; the converted AC can be at any required voltage and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching, and control circuits....
, controls) and their mechanical interface to the driveline - potentially a distinct advantage to the owner of such a vehicle.
See California AB 1493 http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_1451-1500/ab_1493_bill_20050222_introduced.html.
See also
- US emission standardUS emission standardIn the United States, emissions standards are managed on a national level by the Environmental Protection Agency . State and local governments play a subsidiary role.- Motor vehicles :...
- AutomakerAutomakerThe automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
- California Air Resources BoardCalifornia Air Resources BoardThe California Air Resources Board, also known as CARB or ARB, is the "clean air agency" in the government of California. Established in 1967 in the Mulford-Carrell Act, combining the Bureau of Air Sanitation and the Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board, CARB is a department within the...
- Car dealershipCar dealershipA car dealership or vehicle local distribution is a business that sells new or used cars at the retail level, based on a dealership contract with an automaker or its sales subsidiary. It employs automobile salespeople to do the selling...
- Low-energy vehicleLow-energy vehicleA Low-energy vehicle is any type of vehicle that uses less energy than a regular fossil fuel vehicle.Higher efficiency can be achieved by changing the vehicle's design, and/or by modifying its powertrain. Energy consumption as low as 5-12.5 kWh/100 km is achieved directly by battery electric...
- Ultra Low Emission VehicleUltra Low Emission VehicleAn ultra-low-emission vehicle is a motor vehicle that emits extremely low levels of motor vehicle emissions compared to other vehicles...
- Partial Zero-Emissions VehiclePartial zero-emissions vehicleA Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle is a vehicle that has zero evaporative emissions from its fuel system, has a 15-year warranty on its emission-control components, and meets SULEV tailpipe-emission standards....
- Zero-emission vehicle