"We do not inherit the land from our ancestors - we borrow it from our children" - Native Amercian proverb
Definition: "Going green" means to pursue knowledge and practices that can lead to more environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.
The United States is the world's largest emitter of CO2 and our emissions are still rising steadily. It will take decades before many rapidly growing economies reach our levels of CO2 pollution per person. Making the choice to drive a more fuel-efficient car or light truck is one of the single best steps we can take to reduce global warming. Our commitment to drive "green" begins with our "PZEV" vehicles.
Check Today's Air Quality in Your Area
A Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) has the least impact on air quality of any vehicle using a gasoline engine. A vehicle must meet three stringent criteria set by the California Air Resources Board to be PZEV-certified. Its tailpipe emissions must meet the Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) standard, which is over 80% cleaner with respect to smog-forming emissions than the average 2007 model year vehicle; it must produce zero gasoline evaporative emissions, virtually eliminating the escape of fuel vapor from the vehicle's fuel system (a major source of smog-forming emissions), and the manufacturer must provide warranty coverage to ensure that the vehicle wil meet PZEV requirements for an extended lifetime of 15 years or 150,000 miles. Sadly, the majority of the public is under the impression that hybrids are the only answer to a cleaner environment and high gas prices, but not all hybrids meet PZEV standards, while many non-hybrid PZEV vehicles such as the Focus are consequently cleaner. In addition to the Focus (a PZEV since 2003!), the Ford PZEV line-up includes the Fusion, Taurus, Taurus X Crossover, and Escape Hybrid, while on the Mercury side includes Milan, Sable and Mariner Hyrid.
PZEV Facts
- Grilling one hamburger emits more hydrocarbon emissions than a Focus would on a three-hour drive (about 180 miles).
- A Focus PZEV would have to be driven more than 2,100 miles, or five trips between Los Angeles and San Francisco, to equal the emissions produced by the leading 5.4 horsepower lawn mower in just one hour of use.
- The Focus PZEV is so clean, it would take 330 of them running at the same time to equal the smog-forming emissions of one typical 1971 car, the first California emissions controlled vehicle.
