Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
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A ULEV or Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle is a vehicle that has been verified by the California Air Resources Board to emit 50% less polluting emissions than the average for new cars released in that model year. The ULEV is one of a number of designations given by the CARB to signify the level of emissions that car-buyers can expect their new vehicle to produce and forms part of a whole range of designations, listed here in order of decreasing emissions:
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 emissions rating.
ULEV: Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. 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 / 150,000 mile warranty on its emission control components. No evaporative emissions means that they have fewer emissions while being driven than a typical gasoline car has while just sitting idle.
AT PZEV: Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle.
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 Vehicle.
ZEVs have zero tailpipe emissions and are 98% cleaner than the average new model year vehicle. These include battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
