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Two Automakers Meet Air Board's Most Stringent Emission Standards

10 November 1999

Two Automakers Meet Air Board's Most Stringent Emission Standards for Gasoline Cars

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 9 -- Two automakers , Honda and
Nissan, have been authorized to begin selling the cleanest gasoline-powered
automobiles ever offered in California, the California Air Resources Board
(ARB) announced today.
    "This shows that modern technology can move even gasoline-powered vehicles
toward our ultimate goal of a zero-emission vehicle fleet," said ARB Chairman
Dr. Alan Lloyd.  "Tailpipe emissions from these vehicles are eight times
cleaner than an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV), the cleanest
gasoline-powered automobile currently being sold in California," he added.
    The two vehicle models, a Honda Accord and a Nissan Sentra, have been
certified by the ARB as SULEVs or Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicles.  Both
vehicles will be available for sale during the 2000 model year.
    Of the two cars, the Nissan alone qualifies for partial Zero Emission
Vehicle (ZEV) credits because it also has zero fuel evaporative emissions and
has adopted the ARB's optional 150,000-mile durability and warranty standards
on emission control parts.
    "Being able to meet SULEV tailpipe standards and zero evaporative
emissions was a very difficult task but we did it," said Jason Vines, vice
president for external affairs of Nissan North America.
    Meanwhile, Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda, said,
"The SULEV Accord is yet another example of Honda's long-standing commitment
to bringing advances in low emissions technology to the market as soon as they
are technically feasible."
    The SULEV standard was adopted by ARB in November, 1999 as part of the Low
Emission Vehicle II rules that set emission standards for passenger cars and
light trucks from 2004 through 2010.
    The SULEV is a voluntary tailpipe standard for motor vehicle manufacturers
that is one-eighth of the ULEV standard, formerly the tightest standard for
internal combustion engines. Honda and Nissan were both able to meet the SULEV
standard by using refinements of current emission control technology.  A SULEV
is more than 99 percent cleaner than uncontrolled models.
    The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental
Protection Agency.  ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health,
welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air
pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy.  The ARB
oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and
maintain health based air quality standards.