ZevNet - Why Zev

Why Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV)?

A new opportunity has emerged for drivers as well as the automotive industry. Addressing the global issue of air quality, zero- and low-emission vehicles are emerging as a solution for our environment and an opportunity for business.

The ZEV mandate

(The following is an excerpt from the CARB website)

Encouraged by advances in battery electric vehicle technology, in 1990 the ARB acted to stimulate development of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs): cars, trucks and buses that produce no tailpipe or evaporative emissions. The Board adopted a requirement that 10% of the new cars offered for sale in California in 2003 (and beyond) would have to be ZEVs.

In 1998, the ARB modified the 2003 10% ZEV requirement. This modification allowed the major automakers to satisfy up to 6% of their ZEV requirement with automobiles that, while not pure zero emission vehicles, are clean enough to qualify for partial ZEV credits. The other 4% must still be pure ZEVs.

This requirement was further modified in January 2001. The modifications presented to the Board were designed to maintain progress towards commercialization of ZEVs while recognizing constraints due to cost, lead-time, and technical challenges. The most significant aspects of the January modifications were to: (1) reduce the number of pure ZEVs needed to comply, (2) allow further reductions in the number of ZEVs required, if manufacturers produce other types of very clean advanced technology vehicles called advanced technology partial zero emission vehicles (AT PZEVs), (3) reduce the number of vehicles needed in the early years to earn partial ZEV (PZEV) credits, and (4) gradually increase the required percentage of ZEVs from 10 percent in 2003 up to 16 percent in 2018. For more specific information on the January 2001 changes to the ZEV requirement, please see the ARB's fact sheet titled, "Zero Emision Vehicle Program Changes."

Currently, the only vehicles on the market that qualify as pure ZEVs are those powered by batteries. Qualifying for partial-ZEV credits are extremely clean vehicles that are certified by the ARB as SULEVs, have no evaporative emissions and have warranties of 150,000 miles for air pollution control equipment. The criteria for the advanced technology PZEV credits must still be determined. However, AT PZEVs will have emissions equivalent to or less than the powerplant emissions associated with battery EVs.

Vehicles with the potential to earn partial-ZEV or AT PZEV credits in the future include hybrid-electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hybrid-electric vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and rechargeable batteries-using a computer to deliver the most efficient power mix. Currently, the hybrid vehicles on our roads do not earn PZEV or AT PZEV credits. In fact, there are pure gasoline vehicles available that are cleaner than these hybrid vehicles. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are in the early stages of development and hold a lot of promise as a clean means of transportation. These vehicles yield electricity, heat and water vapor but no harmful air emissions.

For details of the CA Air Resources Board's ZEV program please click here.