So, just how green is a PZEV machine? Well, if you just cut your lawn with a gas mower, congratulations, you just put out more pollution in one hour than these cars do in 2,000 miles of driving. Grill a single juicy burger, and you've cooked up the same hydrocarbon emissions as a three-hour drive in certain PZEV equipped models. As the California Air Resources Board has noted, the tailpipe emissions of these cars can be cleaner than the outside air in smoggy cities.
That's amazing stuff. But what's more amazing is how few people have a clue that the gas-powered, internal combustion engine could ever be this clean.
"PZEV" - WHAT DOES IT MEAN, AND HOW DOES IT APPLY TO SUBARU VEHICLES?
STATE AND FEDERAL EMISSIONS STANDARDS
California vehicle standards have led the way in requiring low emissions by vehicles. Set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), these stringent standards have been adopted by several other states, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. Automakers produce vehicles that meet both these requirements and ones set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
CARB defined the PZEV classification. A PZEV vehicle meets Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) exhaust emission standards and zero evaporative emissions standards. Vehicles meeting these standards are considered the cleanest gasoline-powered vehicles. In addition, the PZEV classification includes a 15-year/150,000-mile (whichever comes first) emission performance and defect warranty, including the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) vehicle system, depending on the state in which the vehicle is sold.
SUBARU PZEV VEHICLES
At Subaru, protecting the environment is just as important as protecting our passengers. That's why we build fuel-efficient vehicles in ecologically minded plants. Subaru of America, Inc. offers Legacy, Outback, and Forester 2.5L naturally aspirated (non-turbocharged) vehicles that achieve a PZEV rating by the California Air Resources Board. We plan to enhance this product offering in the future. The EPA endorses all Subaru PZEV vehicles as SmartWay®1 certified and promotes them in their Green Vehicle Guide.2
PZEV BENEFITS
Vehicles with PZEV emissions ratings have such tight pollution controls, and the burning of fuel is so complete, that in very smoggy urban areas, exhaust out of the tailpipe can actually be cleaner than the air outside.
Today's SUBARU BOXER engine has evolved to a level that doesn't require many changes to earn a PZEV label. The differences between non-PZEV and PZEV certified Subaru vehicles can be found in two areas:
- The catalytic converter
- The Engine Control Module (ECM) programming
The catalytic converter for a PZEV engine utilizes a higher volume of precious metals than the standard converter. Although that makes the catalytic converter more efficient, it is also more expensive to produce. The PZEV engine's ECM program has been enhanced to operate the engine for reduced emissions.
At a relatively low cost, and without any special equipment, Subaru PZEV vehicles help their owners to contribute to the environment by emitting fewer pollutants to the atmosphere. These vehicles have the same fuel and maintenance requirements as non-PZEV naturally aspirated vehicles, so there's nothing unusual about their care. They do so for a retail price of only $300 more than a non-PZEV Subaru model.
To date, more than 150,000 Subaru owners drive PZEV vehicles.
*quoted in part from Subaru.com and practicalenvironmentalist.com
