Starting in 1970 with compliance with the Muskie Act in the US, followed by the introduction of the first emissions regulations in Japan, we have been quick to respond in providing vehicles that comply with the latest regulations. Currently, our cleanest gasoline vehicle has reached emissions levels that are 1/100 to 1/250 of the levels originally called for by these regulations. We are working on a wide variety of technological developments, including technological improvements that allow for cleaner combustion and development of a catalyst that cleans exhaust emissions, as well as responses to gas evaporation from the fuel tank.

Exhaust Emissions of SU-LEV (Japan)

Expanding U-LEV and SU-LEV Markets

While striving to advance our technology, we have also remained constantly aware of the need for this new technology to proliferate in society.
Our trial calculations show that if 80% of Nissan gasoline-engine passenger vehicles sold in Japan were switched to SU-LEVs*1, the resulting reductions in NOx and HC would be equivalent to switching 40% of all Nissan unit sales to electric vehicles. These statistics are good examples in illustrating the role that popularization has in reducing real world environmental impact.

Nissan is enhancing technologies to make emissions cleaner, while at the same time maintaining awareness of the need to spread the use of such technologies.

According to Nissan estimates, a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SU-LEV) sales ratio of 80% (among gasoline-powered vehicles) would result in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) reductions approximately equivalent to that realized by an electric vehicle and other clean-emissions vehicle sales ratio of approximately 40%, relative to the case that all cars in Japan are Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (U-LEV). SU-LEVs produce 75% or less emissions than the level required under Japanese 2005 exhaust emissions standards, while U-LEVs emit 50% or less emissions than the level required under Japanese 2005 exhaust emissions standards. As is shown by these figures, spreading the use of such technologies plays an important part in reducing environmental impacts in the real world.

In February 2003, Nissan achieved its goal of having U-LEVs* account for more than 80% of the gasoline-powered passenger vehicles that it sells in Japan.

Nissan subsequently set the even higher goal of having SU-LEVs account for 80% of its domestic gasoline-powered passenger vehicles. As a result of continued efforts to proliferate SU-LEVs, Nissan achieved an SU-LEV ratio of over 80% in late May 2006.