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Tailpipe Emissions

Vehicle tailpipe emissions are currently defined to include non-greenhouse gas emissions generated in the process of burning fuel. Regulated tailpipe emissions include hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. These emissions contribute to smog formation and other air pollution control issues.

United States

In the United States, Ford is completing the phase-in of the world's most comprehensive set of vehicle emissions requirements – the EPA's Tier 2 regulations. The Tier 2 program began with the 2004 model year and coordinates the introduction of cleaner fuels with more stringent vehicle tailpipe emissions standards, in order to achieve near-zero emissions from cars and light trucks. These regulations significantly reduce targeted vehicle emissions, including nitrogen oxides and non-methane organic gases, to help reduce the formation of ozone and particulate matter. The Tier 2 regulations apply to all passenger cars, light trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles.

Ford supported the EPA's development of the comprehensive Tier 2 emissions program because it was designed specifically for states outside of California and will produce clean-air benefits equivalent to California's LEV II approach. The Tier 2 program is also a more cost-effective and flexible approach than the California program. We do not support the state-by-state adoption of the California standards.

The results from the EPA's mobile source control programs, including the Tier 2 program, are impressive. The integrated and systematic approach has enabled significant reductions in smog-forming tailpipe emissions from our vehicles. By meeting these regulations, we have eliminated nearly 23 million pounds of smog-forming emissions from our light-duty fleet over the 2004 to 2007 model years.

In 2007, we added to our truck fleet with the cleaner 5.4L V-8 Ford Expedition. Through innovative technologies, this relatively large vehicle (with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 6,000 pounds) was able to achieve emissions levels 30 percent cleaner than the EPA's final fleet average requirement. These technologies, which reduced smog-forming emissions by 74 percent compared to the previous model year, are also available on the Lincoln Navigator.

For the California market, Ford is required to meet the stringent LEVII emissions requirements for light-duty vehicles. In doing so, we are proud to say we offer the widest selection of PZEV-rated vehicles, including compacts, SUVs, full-size sedans and crossovers, of any manufacturer.

A PZEV, or Partial Zero Emission Vehicle, is associated with virtually zero vehicle emissions. In fact, California once defined these vehicles as producing the emissions levels that a power plant would emit in order to generate the electricity to recharge an electric vehicle. Strictly speaking, PZEV vehicles are required to:

  • Meet California's Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle exhaust emissions standard (SULEVII)
  • Produce zero fuel system evaporative emissions
  • Be emissions compliant for a full useful life of 150,000 miles.

In practical terms, a PZEV operated over three weeks of average driving emits fewer smog-forming emissions than a new lawn mower operating for about 30 minutes. Put another way, grilling a quarter-pound hamburger emits more smog-forming emissions than a 60-mile commute in a PZEV.

Ford's 2007 PZEV products included the Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Mazda 3, Mazda 6 and Volvo S40 and V50. In 2008 our PZEV portfolio expands to include the Ford Taurus and Taurus X.

Information about the performance of all Ford vehicles sold in the United States can be found at http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do.

Europe

Since 1990, tailpipe emissions from Ford vehicles sold in Europe have been reduced by up to 90 percent via the development of improved engine technologies (specifically diesel engines) and high-tech exhaust gas treatment devices. Ford of Europe has introduced several diesel particulate filter systems for an increasing number of its new vehicles, as well as for older diesel-powered Ford vehicles already in customers' hands.

To illustrate the dramatic reduction in emissions, it would take up to 200 of today's Ford Fiestas to produce the same amount of emissions as one 1976 Fiesta.

Further air-quality improvements have been generated as we have introduced vehicles equipped with technology to meet the more-stringent Euro 4 emissions standard. All new passenger cars registered as of January 1, 2006, and all light-duty vehicles as of January 1, 2007, comply with the Euro 4 standard.

Emissions Regulations in the U.S. and Europe

Figures in grams per mile

  Nitrogen oxides Hydro-carbons
Europe stage III
0.24* 0.32*
Europe stage IV
0.13* 0.16*
U.S. Tier 1
0.60 0.31
U.S. Tier 2 (Bin 5)
0.07 0.09
California LEV II
0.07 0.09
California SULEV
0.02 0.01

* Standard for vehicles using gasoline as fuel