What Is PZEV?

PZEV is an acronym for “Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle,” a designation that you can find displayed on some cars and light trucks that meet more stringent tailpipe emissions and emit no evaporative emissions.

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PZEV was created by the California Air Resources Board in 1998 to give automakers leeway in meeting the state’s requirement to sell a certain number of zero-emissions vehicles, such as electric vehicles. Because few manufacturers could produce enough zero-emissions vehicles, California allowed manufacturers to earn credits with PZEVs that exceeded the state’s regular emissions standards, which historically have been more stringent than federal standards.

PZEVs received fractional credits toward meeting California’s zero-emissions requirements. However, since the 2018 model year, PZEVs no longer receive any credits. Instead, automakers can receive fractional credits for “transitional zero-emissions vehicles,” which are plug-in hybrids that meet the PZEV standards and can travel on electric power for at least 10 miles. 

For a vehicle to earn PZEV status, it needs to meet what CARB calls the Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle, or SULEV, standard, the most stringent tailpipe emissions for cars with internal combustion engines. In addition, there can be no evaporative emissions from the fuel system, and the warranty on emissions-system components must be for the expected life of the vehicle, 15 years or 150,000 miles.

CARB says PZEVs are “are the cleanest combustion vehicles” available.

PZEVs originally were required only in California. After other states adopted the requirement, including Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Washington and others, PZEVs became widely available from several manufacturers, including Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen, among others.

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