Super ultra-low emissions vehicle (SULEV) is a U.S. classification for passenger vehicle emissions. The classification is based on producing 90% fewer emissions than the average gasoline-powered vehicle.
The SULEV standard is stricter than the standard for LEV (
low emission vehicle
A low-emission vehicle is a motor vehicle that emits relatively low levels of motor vehicle emissions. The term may be used in a general sense, but in some countries it is defined in air quality statutes. Different groups of people ("go greens", "g ...
) and ULEV (
ultra-low-emission vehicle
An ultra-low-emission vehicle (ULEV) is a motor vehicle that emits extremely low levels of motor vehicle emissions compared to other vehicles. In some jurisdictions it is defined in law; low and ultra low emission vehicles may be given tax or oth ...
), however not as strict as PZEV (
partial zero-emissions vehicle) which meets the SULEV standard for tailpipe emissions, but has zero instead of reduced
evaporative emissions. Japan also offers an SU-LEV classification, for vehicles that show a 75 percent reduction in emissions vis-à-vis the 2005 emissions standards.
Examples
Examples of vehicles delivering SULEV emissions performance include:
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Honda Accord
The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...
2000-
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Honda Insight
The is a hybrid electric vehicle that is manufactured and marketed by Honda. Its first generation was a two-door, two passenger liftback (1999–2006) and in its second generation was a four-door, five passenger liftback (2009–2014). In it ...
(CVT transmission models only)
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Honda Civic Hybrid
The is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1972. , the Civic is positioned between the Honda Fit/City and Honda Accord in Honda's global passenger car line-up.
The first-generation Civic was introduced in July 1972 as a two-do ...
CVT transmission models only,
AT-PZEV available in certain states
* Honda Civic GX Natural Gas
* Honda CR-Z (AT-PZEV)
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Toyota Prius
The is a Compact car, compact/small family car, small family liftback (supermini/subcompact sedan (car), sedan until 2003) produced by Toyota. The Prius has a Hybrid vehicle drivetrain, hybrid drivetrain, combined with an internal combustion ...
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Ford Focus
The Ford Focus is a compact car (C-segment in Europe) manufactured by Ford Motor Company from 1998 until 2025. It was created under Alexander Trotman's Ford 2000 plan, which aimed to globalize model development and sell one compact vehicle worl ...
SULEV
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BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, trading as BMW Group (commonly abbreviated to BMW (), sometimes anglicised as Bavarian Motor Works), is a German multinational manufacturer of vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Th ...
SULEV 230i, i3 REx, 128i, 328i, 325i, 325Ci, and 325iT
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Subaru
is the automaker, automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate (company), conglomerate Subaru Corporation (formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries), the Automotive industry#By manufacturer, twenty-first largest aut ...
PZEV A partial zero-emission vehicle, in the United States, is an automobile that has zero evaporative emissions from its fuel system, has a 15-year (or at least 150,000-mile) warranty on its emission-control components, and meets SULEV tailpipe-emissio ...
Vehicles beginning with 2008 year models including Forester, Outback, and Legacy
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Chevrolet Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle car that was manufactured by General Motors, and also marketed in rebadged variants as the Holden Volt in Australia and New Zealand and the Buick Velite 5 in China, and with a different fascia as the ...
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Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra (), also known as the Hyundai Avante (), is a compact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1990. The Elantra was initially marketed as the ''Lantra'' in Australia and some European markets. In Austra ...
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Lexus CT200h
* Honda Clarity PHEV 2018 – LEV3-SULEV20
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Kia Forte
The Kia Forte (), known as the K3 in Asia, the Forte K3 or Shuma in China and Cerato in South America, Australia, New Zealand and Russia, is a compact car manufactured by South Korean automaker Kia from mid-2008 until 2024, replacing the Kia S ...
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Volkswagen Jetta
The Volkswagen Jetta () is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen since 1979. Positioned to fill a sedan (automobile), sedan niche slightly above the firm's Volkswagen Golf, Golf hatchback, it has been marketed ov ...
* Mini Cooper Hardtop 4-Door
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Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
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Pontiac Grand Prix
The Grand Prix is a line of automobiles produced by the Pontiac (automobile), Pontiac Division of General Motors from 1962 until 2002 as coupes and from 1989 through 2008 model years as four-door sedans.
First introduced as a full-size car, full ...
, 3800 V6 equipped vehicles beginning with the 2005 model year
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Toyota Highlander Hybrid
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Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
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Volvo S80
The Volvo S80 is an executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1998 to 2016 across two generations. It took the place of the rear-wheel-drive S90 as Volvo's flagship sedan.
The first generation (1998–2006) was made a ...
PZEV
Tax incentives
In California, 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-emissions 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 a 15-year/ 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
A power inverter, inverter, or invertor is a power electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). The resulting AC frequency obtained depends on the particular device employed. Inverters do the op ...
, controls) and their mechanical interface to the
driveline
A drivetrain (also frequently spelled as drive train or sometimes drive-train) or transmission system, is the group of components that deliver mechanical power from the prime mover to the driven components. In automotive engineering, the drivet ...
. However, the high-voltage battery warranty is limited to ten years (but still 150,000 miles).
See
California AB 1493br>
See also
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References
External links
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* {{cite web , url=http://www.ladot.lacity.org/pdf/PDF225.pdf , title=Los Angeles Green Vehicle List for Smog & Green House Gas Reductions – Updated December 2011 , accessdate=5 January 2012
Emission standards
Partial zero-emissions vehicles
Super ultra-low emission vehicles
Standards of the United States