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Nissan Sentra CA Receives Environmental Protection Agency Award

21 November 2000

Nissan Sentra CA Receives California Environmental Protection Agency Award

            The Cleanest Gasoline-Powered Car in the World Lauded
                          For Environmental Efforts

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 20 The Nissan Sentra CA sedan,
certified as the cleanest gasoline-fueled car in the world, today received the
2000 Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award from the
California Environmental Protection Agency.
    The Sentra CA, based on the Sentra GXE model, proves that clean
gasoline-powered vehicles can be driven without significant changes in
infrastructure.  At this time, the Sentra CA (where "CA" stands for "Clean
Air") is available only in California because of the statewide availability of
low-sulfur fuel.  The Sentra CA works in its cleanest state when low-sulfur
fuel is used.
    Nissan was the only automaker among the nine companies and individuals
receiving awards this year.  Nissan was singled out for its innovation and
success in producing a car with zero evaporative emissions and significantly
reduced tailpipe emissions.  The Sentra CA meets stringent Super Ultra Low
Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) standards set by the California Air Resources Board
(CARB).
    The Governor's Award is the latest recognition given to the Sentra CA and
Nissan's environmental efforts.  Earlier this month, the Sentra CA received
Popular Science magazine's "Best of What's New" award.  Last month, Nissan's
top environmental executive received the prestigious Climate Protection Award
from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for leadership in
developing advanced vehicle technologies that have contributed to significant
improvements in fuel economy which includes the technologies used in the
Sentra CA.
    Nissan recently announced its plans to launch an intense 5-year
development program on Fuel Cells at a planned cost of $85 million, mobilizing
300 engineers and technicians.  This is just one of the many initiatives
exemplifying Nissan's commitment to protecting and preserving the environment.
    "The Sentra CA is the latest in Nissan's ongoing efforts to create a
symbiosis among people, cars and the environment," said Jim Morton, Senior
Vice President, Nissan North America, Inc.  "We've been exploring ways to
build more environmentally friendly vehicles with electric motors, hybrid
gasoline/electric powerplants, fuel-cells and other technologies.  The Sentra
CA is a gasoline-powered vehicle, just like any other gasoline-powered vehicle
on the road, but with one key difference -- the Sentra CA emits significantly
fewer harmful agents into the air."
    The Sentra CA qualifies for CARB's partial Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV)
credits. It is the only gasoline-fueled car certified to the CARB Zero
Evaporative Emissions standard.  This means that a Sentra CA is cleaner while
in motion than any other gasoline-powered car that sits parked.  Parked cars
emit air-damaging components into the atmosphere through evaporation.  The
Sentra CA does not.
    "California's leadership in reducing emissions from gasoline powered
automobiles is enjoying unparalleled success so far with the development of
the Nissan Sentra CA," said CARB Chairman Dr. Alan Lloyd.  "To be able to
market a vehicle with such dramatically reduced emission characteristics would
have been unimaginable a decade ago.  This demonstrates that automotive
ingenuity combined with good public policy can produce stunning environmental
results."
    Since 1996, regulations have required a reduction in the amount of sulfur
in gasoline for sale in California.  Catalytic converters, which reduce
tailpipe emissions, are inhibited by sulfur, a common agent in fuels.
Cleaner-burning gasoline enables catalytic converters to work more effectively
and further reduce tailpipe emissions.  According to CARB, cleaner-burning
gasoline reduces smog-forming emissions from motor vehicles by 15 percent and
reduces cancer risk from exposure to motor vehicle toxins by about 40 percent.
    A number of key technologies combine to make the Sentra CA environmental
performance possible: double-wall exhaust manifolds, a new combustion control
sensor, quicker catalyst warm-up (three 3-way catalysts are utilized in the
emissions system), new hydrocarbon trap catalysts, a non-return fuel system
and use of a special electronically controlled swirl control valve that
reduces hydrocarbon emissions in cold and warm start situations.
    Aiding in the reduction of pollutants are the radiators of all Sentra CAs,
which are coated with Engelhard Corp.'s PremAir(R).  As ozone-laden air passes
over the radiator, the PremAir coating converts ozone molecules into oxygen.
In effect, the air the Sentra CA leaves in its wake is cleaner than the air in
front of the vehicle, depending on air conditions.