University of California, Riverside Study Shows New Generation of Gasoline Vehicles Contributes to Cleaner Air

According to a University of California, Riverside study, emerging internal combustion engine technology can reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants to levels that were considered impossible only a few years ago, and this new generation of vehicle technology is contributing toward cleaner air. The university released the latest findings of its ongoing three-year Study of Extremely Low Emission Vehicles (SELEV) program during the first Clean Mobility Symposium, "Cars, Fuels and the Future of Air Quality," held on its campus Sept. 4. Initial results from the study indicate that, for the vehicles tested, the emissions of criteria pollutants (i.e., pollutants for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set national standards) are significantly below California average standards. The vehicles, certified to California's cleanest standards, are producing extremely low emissions under real-world driving conditions, resulting in improved air quality. The SELEV program is co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Califor-nia Air Resources Board, Honda R&D Americas, Inc., ChevronTexaco North America Products, and the Manufacturers of Emission Controls Association. It encompasses both enhanced laboratory measurement approaches and new on-board measurement technologies and techniques.