The EU Council of Environment Ministers formally accepted commitments from the Japanese and Korean auto manufacturers associations to cut CO2 emissions from new
cars to an average of 140 grams/km by 2009. European automakers made a similar agreement a year ago. This means new vehicles will attain the equivalent of 50 miles per
gallon. The Commission is examining whether to extend the directive to light commercial vehicles.
Further, as of 2001, all cars must carry a label indicating its carbon dioxide emissions and fuel efficiency. The information must also be included in promotional material. Volkswagen, Europes largest automaker, is already doing this.
In the U.S., California’s next set of stringent air quality rules go into effect in 2004, but three gas-powered cars already qualify: Ford’s model year 2000 Crown Victoria, Honda’s 2000 Accord, and Nissan’s 2000 Sentra.
Hondas and Nissans cars require low-sulfur gasoline to achieve reduced emissions, which is widely available only in California. EPA has been planning to finalize regulations that would make low-sulphur fuel accessible throughout the U.S. by 2004, but recently 12 governors asked the agency to extend the deadline from 2004 – 2007 to help small refineries find the least costly technology to reduce sulfur in gas.
Nissan will begin selling the SULEV (Super Low Emission Vehicle) Sentra in California in February. California Air Resources Board (CARB) Chairman Alan Lloyd says, “This shows modern technology can move even gasoline-powered vehicles toward our goal of zero-emissions. Tailpipe emissions from these vehicles are eight times cleaner than an ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle), the cleanest gas-powered automobile currently being sold in California.”
The most significant feature of the Sentra is zero evaporative emissions, a feat thought extremely difficult, if not impossible, to attain just a few years ago. Gas vapors are emitted from cars whether they are running or at rest. The Sentra eliminates all of these. In addition, a new radiator coating eliminates ground-level ozone, the main component of smog. When ozone-laden air passes over the radiator, the coating converts ozone molecules into oxygen.
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