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Originally Posted by stevehecht
I'm wondering if anyone knows what the difference in the emissions profile is between the N20 & N26?
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ULEV is an acronym for Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. ULEVs emit emissions that are 50 percent cleaner than the current average year's models. ULEVs take the LEV, Low Emission Vehicle, standard a step further. The LEV rating was required on all new cars sold in California starting in 2004.
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SULEV is an acronym for Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. SULEVs are 90 percent cleaner than the current average year's models. SULEVs emit substantially lower levels of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and particulate matter than conventional vehicles. The SULEV standard steps up the ULEV, Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standard.
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What I wonder is why they just don't do what many of the car manufacturers are doing and make them all the same and just have one 50 state rating. Logistically it would seem to be simplier and more cost effective.
Another interesting find
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Some PZEVs fall into this category by default--buy a Toyota Prius in CA and fuel it up, it's a PZEV. Drive east and fuel it up over the next 2,500 miles and it's an SULEV, since CA's low sulfur gas formulations are not available everywhere.
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This would explain why a n20 and n26 in california have a different smog rating on the epa fuel economy site (6 and 8 respectively) than another state both had a 5 rating. Sulfur in the gas, which competes with oxygen in the catalyst.