Reduce smog with no compromise
A Subaru PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) emits close to zero smog-causing tailpipe emissions. Yet it offers equal performance to cars that are far less eco-conscious. Subaru PZEVs also run on regular unleaded fuel, but offer significant environmental benefits compared to non-PZEV cars or SUVs, including hybrids, diesel and alternative fuel vehicles. While this may sound like fiction, it is in fact the true story of the Subaru PZEV – the affordable, no-compromise, eco-friendly alternative.
What the heck's a PZEV?
The PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) is the cleanest-running gasoline-powered car on the market today, developed to meet the air quality standards of California, the most progressive and stringent in North America. A PZEV must meet the Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) tailpipe standard and have zero evaporative emissions. Plus Subaru PZEVs are SmartWay-certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This combination identifies the PZEV as a strong combatant in the fight to help reduce smog.
| U.S. Epa Emission Standards |
| Score |
Designation |
| 10 |
Bin 1 and ZEV |
| 9.5 |
PZEV |
| 9 |
Bin 2 and SULEV II |
| 8 |
Bin 3 |
| 7 |
Bin 4 and ULEV II |
| 6 |
Bin 5 and LEV II |
| 5 |
Bin 6 and LEV II option 1 |
| 4 |
Bin 7 |
| 3 |
Bin 8 and SULEV II trucks |
| 2 |
ULEV II trucks |
| 1 |
LEV II trucks |
These standards rate vehicle emissions based on testing for five major types of pollutants in vehicle exhaust:
- Carbon-containing compounds, including hydrocarbons
- Oxides of nitrogen, which combine with hydrocarbons to create ground-level ozone and smog
- Particulate matter
- Carbon monoxide
- Formaldehyde
Why wouldn't you drive a Subaru PZEV?
Subaru PZEVs allow rivers to reduce their impact on the environment while sacrificing nothing by delivering a win-win combination of advantages:
Immediate environmental benefits
Smog is an increasingly serious problem for our planet. People with respiratory problems experience coughing and painful breathing even after short-term exposure and smog can also cause damage to crops, vegetation and forests. This noxious mixture of gases forms when sunlight acts upon certain pollutants in the atmosphere. While some pollutants come from such sources as liquid fuels, solvents and organic chemicals, others are produced by the burning of fossil fuels such as from running a car engine.The Subaru PZEV sets new, clean standards for gasoline engines, virtually eliminating the creation of smog-forming pollutants. In fact, it has such stringent pollution controls and the fuel-burning process is so complete, the exhaust produced can sometimes actually be cleaner than the air outside. Subaru PZEV exhaust is also cleaner than that of some hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles.
No change in performance
You have certain expectations of your Subaru. High-performance from the SUBARU BOXER engine. All-weather/all-road traction from Subaru full-time symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Superior handling from the rally-tested, 4-wheel independent suspension. The Subaru PZEV compromises on none of these attributes.
Hassle-free ownership
With no special maintenance requirements or unique maintenance schedule, the Subaru PZEV is easy to keep operating at peak efficiency at all times.
Exceptional safety
All Subaru vehicles offer superior passive and active safety systems. There's our advanced ring-shaped reinforcement frame (a 360-degree barrier of protection for all occupants) and symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive (traction and control, in any road or weather conditions). Plus, the entire line of Subaru vehicles consistently receives stellar crash-test results from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.
Japanese reliability
Some 93% of Subaru vehicles built in the last 10 years are still on the road today.* This is not only a testament to the inherent reliability and quality of our cars, but also a strong statement supporting the Japanese approach to continuous improvement. (And it reveals how much our customers love their cars!)
*Total Vehicles In Operation Report 1997-2006 - R.L. Polk & Co. and internal sales data.
Affordability
Unlike other eco-conscious vehicles on the market, the Subaru PZEV represents affordable technology that's available today.
No complicated technology
A Subaru PZEV operates almost exactly the same way as a traditional, gasoline-powered vehicle. The only real difference is what doesn't come out the tailpipe.
Uncompromised versatility
With no special equipment needed - such as a secondary power source - the Subaru PZEV is virtually identical in design compared to its stable mates within the Subaru line-up. This means that cargo capacity and interior space are not affected at all. Just another way the Subaru PZEV offers a hassle-free driving experience!
No alternative fuels required
The Subaru PZEV runs on regular unleaded – something that is readily available and easy to access at filling stations across North America.
Zero-landfill manufacturing
Subaru Legacy PZEV and Outback models are built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. – the first auto assembly plant in the U.S. to achieve zero landfill capability as well as be officially recognized as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the U.S. National Wildlife Federation. Learn more at Subaru-earth.com.
How did we do it?
With Subaru PZEV vehicles, the remarkable reduction of smog-forming emissions is achieved through modifications in four key areas:
Catalytic Converters
A larger and finer mesh of catalyst-lined passageways within a Subaru PZEV catalytic converter greatly contributes to its ability to reduce emissions. Along the entire length of the mesh are precious metals (catalysts) whose role is to change the molecular structure of the offensive emissions that try to pass through. In fact, the contact area is almost twice that of a traditional catalytic converter, producing a much more effective conversion of pollutants.
Fuel injectors
The fuel injectors on Subaru PZEVs close tighter than conventional injectors to prevent evaporative emissions from fuel leakage into the intake manifold.
Engine Control Module (ECM)
Vehicle emissions are worse under cold start conditions. Subaru addresses this problem by altering the programming in the Engine Control Module, making the exhaust gasses hotter, which helps the catalytic converter heat up sooner, reducing emissions.
Dual-filtration Air-intake System
In a conventional vehicle, unburned gas fumes can escape through the engine's air intake once the engine is shut off. To prevent this, Subaru PZEVs are equipped with a charcoal canister in the air intake that absorbs these evaporative hydrocarbon emissions.
Well equipped eco-friendly Subaru models
The Subaru Legacy PZEV, Outback PZEV and new Forester PZEV deliver all the legendary Subaru qualities – safety, reliability, high performance, a high level of refinement and the go-anywhere versatility of Subaru symmetrical full-time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) – combined with increased environmental-friendliness and surprising affordability. Powered by an ultra-efficient 170 hp SUBARU BOXER engine, all models are SmartWay® certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, meaning that they achieve strict, predetermined levels for fuel economy and tailpipe emissions.
