MSNBC’s Alex Witt about future hybrids
Hybrids, electric cars, partial zero-emission vehicles (PZEV). Lou Ann Hammond skypes with Alex Witt from MSNBC about future vehicles and vehicles you can buy that are as clean on evaporative emissions as hybrids.
What about the person that isn’t ready to buy a hybrid?
Are there gasoline cars that are just as clean as a hybrid?
Yes, if a car is rated PZEV it is as clean on the environment as the cleanest hybrid. In fact, some hybrids are not PZEV, so check your hybrid green rating before you buy.
What is PZEV?
PZEV stands for partial zero-emissions vehicles. If your car is the ultimate clean hybrid it’s rating will be AT-PZEV, which means advanced technology. That advanced technology means it has a nickel-metal hydride battery (NiMH) that may cost thousands to replace.
What cars are PZEV?
2009 Ford Focus
2.0-liter, 4-speed auto PZEV – 24 city/33 hwy
2.0-liter, 5-speed manual PZEV – 24 city/35 hwy
Federal Emissions (tailpipe/evaporation)
Tier 2 Bin 4 / LEV II
California Emissions States (tailpipe/evaporation)
SULEV / PZEV rating – 9.5
starting at $14,995
2009 Hyundai Elantra
2.0L 4 cyl. with a 4-speed automatic PZEV – 25 city/33 hwy
2.0L 4 cyl. with a 4-speed manual PZEV – 24 city/33 hwy
California Emissions States (tailpipe/evaporation)
SULEV / PZEV rating – 7
$13,395
Mazda Mazda3
28 / 35
PZEV/9.5
$13,795
Mercedes-Benz
Subaru
What about gas vs. hybrids?
There are two PZEV gasoline cars that you can also purchase as a hybrid, the Honda Civic vs the civic hybrid, and the Toyota Camry vs. the Camry hybrid. I just drove a civic hybrid that cost $25,000. The difference in mpg is about 2 miles but you save about $7,000 if you buy the gasoline version.
2009 Toyota Camry gasoline PZEV
2.0-liter, 4-speed auto PZEV – 21 city/31 hwy
2.0-liter, 5-speed manual PZEV – 24 city/35 hwy
Federal Emissions (tailpipe/evaporation)
Tier 2 Bin 4 / LEV II
California Emissions States (tailpipe/evaporation)
SULEV / PZEV rating – 9.5
starting at $14,995
The camry hybrid gives you 12 miles than the gasoline version of the Camry but costs about $7,000 more than the gasoline version.
Honda Civic gasoline PZEV
Honda Civic hybrid PZEV
California Emissions States (tailpipe/evaporation)
SULEV / PZEV rating – 9.5
40city /45hwy
starting at $23,550
