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Definition
Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) is a conventionally powered or gas-electric hybrid vehicle designed to produce minimal air pollution at their point of use, typically less than 10% of that of an equivalent ordinary vehicle.
Scope regarding emissions
Controlled pollution categories are:
The well to wheel emission balance is not included in the classification as SULEV, with certain fuel generation paths it might well prove to be more polluting for the wider environment.
Technologies
Several techniques can be used to reduce pollution. Since automobiles 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 mileage in severe city driving. A vapor tight fuel tank and system eliminate one source of hydrocarbon emission. Special catalytic converters called three-way catalytic converters reduce all three of the target pollutions from the exhaust pipe.
Examples
Examples of hybrid vehicles delivering SULEV emissions performance include the Honda Insight and the Toyota Prius.
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 the Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick LaCrosse.
Tax incentives
In the U.S. State of 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 PZEV (Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle). 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 (ten-year/150,000-mile) 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 *.
See also
External links
"Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle"