Introduction
Under the LEV II standard, NOx and PM standards for all emission categories are significantly tightened and apply
to both gasoline and diesel vehicles. Under revisions adopted on November 15, 2001 gasoline vehicles are no
longer exempted from the PM standard.
California LEV II Emission Standards, Passenger Cars and Light DutyVehicles < 8500 lbs, g/mi
50,000 miles/5 years
120,000 miles/11 years
Category
*
*
NMOG
0.075
0.040
–
CO
3.4
1.7
–
NOx
0.2
0.2
–
PM
–
HCHO NMOG
CO
4.2
2.1
1.0
NOx
0.3
PM
0.08
0.04
0.01
HCHO
0.018
0.011
0.004
LEV
0.015
0.008
–
0.090
0.055
0.010
ULEV
SULEV
–
0.3
–
0.02
Abbreviations:
HCHO Formaldehyde
CO Carbon Monoxide
LEV
Low Emission Vehicle
ULEV Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
SULEV Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle
NMOG Non-Methane Organic Gases
NMHC Non-Methane Hydrocarbons
NOx
PM
Oxides of Nitrogen
Particulate Matter
g/mi Grams per Mile
Nearly 2000 lbs
(900 kg).
How AreWe Doing?
A new car in 1965 produced about a ton of smog-
forming hydrocarbons during 100,000 miles of driving.
California’s low-emission standards cut that to around
50 pounds for the average new car in 1998.
LEV II further reduces emissions from the average
new 2010 car to approximately 10 pounds.
50 lbs
(22 kg).
A SULEV emits only a single pound of hydrocarbons
during 100,000 miles of driving.
10 lbs.
(4.5 kg)
1 lb
(0.5 kg)
1965
1998-LEV I
2010-LEV II 2010 SULEV
5
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