To achieve California's AT-PZEV classification, a vehicle must be a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) with zero evaporative emissions and must carry a 15-year/150,000 mile warranty on emissions equipment. The Civic Hybrid joins Honda's natural gas-powered Civic GX as the only two vehicles to overachieve AT-PZEV status under the ZEV program.
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| The Civic Hybrid is only one of two vehicles that have achieved California's AT-PZEV classification, with zero evaporative emissions. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
However, for other U.S. states and in Canada, the classification sits at ULEV, Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. Emissions standards are a nightmare to grasp even for those in the know, due to a global inconsistency. There is even an inconsistency in the United States, with New York State and California having separate rules above and beyond the federal regulations that the rest of the country follows.
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| One of the greenest cars available, ACEEE's Green Book gave the Civic Hybrid a Superior rating. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
A major factor in this classification is the fuel put into vehicle. If you take a Civic Hybrid bought in California and add dirty Canadian gas, it would no longer be SULEV. But take a Canadian car to California and put gas into it down there, it would make it ULEV, but not an SULEV. Go figure?
Still it's enough to know that Honda has achieved notable ratings for their new Hybrid. ACEEE's Green Book (http://www.greenercars.com/byclass.html) gave it a Superior rating and considers it to be one of the greenest cars available, outperforming all cars listed in its class.