How can I choose a car that has fewer emissions?

When shopping for a new or used vehicle keep in mind that while all California cars have advanced emission control systems many newer vehicles are designed to produce even lower levels of emissions - you just need to know what to look for. There are technologies like hybrid electric vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine with a battery and electric motor to maximize fuel economy and produce fewer emissions. Additionally there are many gasoline vehicles available today with extremely low emissions - sometimes lower than hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles. Such vehicles are certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) as partial zero emission vehicles or PZEVs and Advanced Technology PZEVs (AT PZEVs) because pollution controls are so tight and the burning of fuel is extremely efficient. PZEVs and AT PZEVs meet the ARB\'s most stringent tailpipe emission standard (super ultra low emission vehicle) have a 15 year/150000 mile warranty and have zero evaporative emissions. Makes and models on the market range from ARB?s best to worst emission ratings. You can find out which ones are the cleanest by asking your dealer about the emission rating and choosing a vehicle that meets a SULEV rating or better. Or - choose a vehicle from the vehicle search section on this site - we?ve already done the work for you.

What is a TLEV LEV ULEV SULEV PZEV AT PZEV and ZEV?

TLEV: Transitional Low Emission Vehicle This is the least stringent emissions standard in California. TLEVs are phased out as of 2004. LEV: Low Emission Vehicle All new cars sold in California starting in 2004 will have at least a LEV or better emissions rating. ULEV: Ultra Low Emission Vehicles ULEVs are 50% cleaner than the average new model year car. SULEV: Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle SULEVs are 90% cleaner than the average new model year car. PZEV: Partial Zero Emission Vehicle PZEVs meet SULEV tailpipe emission standards have zero evaporative emissions and a 15 year / 150000 mile warranty. No evaporative emissions means that they have fewer emissions while being driven than a typical gasoline car has while just sitting. AT PZEV: Advanced Technology PZEVs AT PZEVs meet the PZEV requirements and have additional ZEV-like characteristics. A dedicated compressed natural gas vehicle or a hybrid vehicle with engine emissions that meet the PZEV standards would be an AT PZEV. ZEV - Zero Emission Vehicles ZEVs have zero tailpipe emissions are 98% cleaner than the average new model year vehicle. These include battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. To find out what makes and models are available visit the vehicle search section of this web site.

What is a hybrid electric vehicle?

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) commercially available today combine an internal combustion engine with a battery and electric motor. This combination can offer the extended range and rapid refueling of a conventional vehicle while reducing energy requirements and emissions. The practical benefits of HEVs might include improved fuel economy and lower emissions compared to conventional vehicles however not all HEVs are clean. Hybrids vary dramatically in emissions depending on how big the battery is and how well the engine is built. So be sure to check the emissions rating if you're looking for a hybrid. SULEV or better is the cleanest choice.

Can I still buy an electric vehicle?

Currently there is only one available to buy or lease which is the Phoenix Li Ion. However there are a variety of smaller electric vehicles available which you may find in the Vehicle Search section of this web site. Auto manufacturers are focusing their resources on fuel cell vehicles which are also zero emission when run on hydrogen. Although there are many challenges that must be overcome to commercialize fuel cell vehicles auto makers technology developers fuel providers and government are working together through the California Fuel Cell Partnership to overcome these hurdles.

When are fuel cell vehicles going to be available to the public?

Auto makers are estimating that fuel cell vehicles will be available to the public within the next 10 to 15 years. Four major goals must be achieved to commercialize fuel cell engines for automobiles. The first is to prove the reliability and durability of the fuel cell. Second the cost of building the fuel cell engine must be reduced so that it is competitive with today?s internal combustion engines (ICEs). Third depending on the choice of fuel infrastructure investments will have to be made to support wide-scale introduction. And fourth public acceptance must be secured in order to create demand for this technology.

Do neighborhood EVs (NEVs) like the GEM qualify for State incentives?

At this time NEVs are not eligible for any State incentives. NEVs are a cheaper option for meeting the ARB's ZEV requirement. Therefore the NEV manufactures had to choose between receiving the incentives or ZEV credit. So far all NEV manufucturers have chosen ZEV credits. Although you may not receive the money directly in your pocket ZEV credits are worth enough to the manufacturer that they often pass this value on to consumers when they price their vehicles.

Do hybrids get any incentives?

Although hybrids are extremely fuel-efficient and meet the most stringent emission ratings they do not receive any State incentives. This is because hybrids are not significantly more expensive than their gasoline counterparts. Also hybrid vehicles vary in their emission ratings - you may even find a pure gasoline vehicle that has fewer emissions than a hybrid vehicle. Finally unlike electric vehicles auto makers are mass marketing and selling their hybrid vehicles - making State incentives unnecessary to support the hybrid vehicle market.

Can hybrids drive in the carpool lane?

AB 2628 allows single-occupant use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOVs) lanes by the cleanest alternative fuel hybrid and full-electric vehicles. Use of these lanes with only one occupant requires an identification sticker issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. AB 2628 limits single occupant HOV lane access to super clean advanced technology vehicles. Vehicles must meet one of the following four combinations of standards to qualify for the single occupant HOV lane sticker: OPTION 1: Vehicles certified to both the California SULEV and the Federal ILEV emissions standards. OPTION 2: Pre- 2005 model year vehicles certified to both the California ULEV and the Federal ILEV emissions standards. OPTION 3: Hybrid and alternative fueled vehicles certified to the California ATPZEV emissions standard and having a USEPA Highway fuel economy rating greater than 45 MPG. OPTION 4: Pre- 2005 model year hybrid vehicles certified to the California ULEV emissions standard and having a USEPA Highway fuel economy rating greater than 45 MPG. *Click here for a list of hybrid vehicles that DO NOT QUALIFY.

How do I know which gasoline powered vehicles are clean?

More and more standard gasoline powered vehicle models are being made so clean that they achieve the ARB's most stringent emissions ratings. But you can't identify these vehicles by how they look - so it's important to know what to look for at the dealership. The cleanest gasoline vehicles have a PZEV emissions rating. You can find out what PZEVs are available by going to the vehicle search section of this site. Or you can always find out the emissions rating by lifting the hood of the car and finding the Vehicle Emissions Control Information Label that is required on every vehicle sold in the US.

Will ARB\'s attempts to reduce climate change emissions result in some types of automobiles being banned?

No. The legislation directing ARB to reduce climate change emissions from motor vehicles explicitly prohibits the banning of any vehicle category including SUVs vans or pickup trucks.

Does the law require ARB to force auto manufacturers to achieve maximum reductions of greenhouse gasses?

In July of 2002 Gov. Gray Davis signed Assembly Bill 1493 authored by Assemblywoman Fran Pavley directing the ARB to achieve the maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction of greenhouse gases from California's motor vehicles. The law requires the reductions to take into account the time allotted environmental economic social and technological factors. The law also requires that the reductions be ?cost effective? - meaning economical to an owner or operator of a vehicle. The ARB is additionally required to consider economic impacts on jobs businesses and California business competitiveness with other states and that flexibility be granted to manufacturers allowing them to suggest alternative approaches that would achieve equivalent emission reductions.

Could the changes needed to reduce climate change emissions lead to vehicles that are smaller and significantly less powerful than those now on the road?

No. According to the National Academy of Sciences vehicles do not have to be smaller and less powerful to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What types of vehicle technologies need to be developed to reduce greenhouse gasses?

Actually technology that has already been developed and is currently in use on some cars can result in significant improvement. Minor adjustments to catalytic converters and air conditioning systems can help reduce greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxides and HFCs while existing technology already being used in some automobile engines transmissions tires aerodynamics and other areas could bring reductions of carbon dioxide. Future reductions may come from an increasing use of fuel cell vehicles.

How can I find a USED car that is clean?

The easiest way to find a clean used vehicle is to review the previous model year vehicles list provided on this web site. PZEVs and AT PZEVs are your best bet because they have a 15 year / 150000 mile warranty on all emissions system components of the vehicle. This means the car will be clean for most of the life of the vehicle and this great warranty is transferrable to all owners.

What new hybrids or other clean vehicles are planned for production?

Popularity of hybrid vehicles is growing and we are seeing this reflected in manufacturer production plans. As new models of hybrids and other clean vehicles are announced they are added to the Future Clean Vehicles page on this web site. These are projections based on what manufacturers have announced however production plans change often and nobody can be sure what will be on the market until we see the cars on the dealership lot.

Aren't today's SUVs trucks and vans cleaner?

In 1998 the California Air Resources Board extended the passenger car emissions standards to heavier sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks (with gross vehicle weight up to 8500 pounds) which formerly had been regulated under less stringent emission standards (LEV I). The new regulations (LEV II) provide a transition period between 2004 and 2007 for manufacturers to meet the new standards for trucks vans and SUVs. Consequently a portion of the large vehicle fleet will meet less stringent emission standards (LEV I) until 2008. For the consumer this means that until 2008 larger vehicles with for example a SULEV emissions rating could pollute up to ten times more than a passenger vehicle with that same rating.