Environmental performances of new Japanese vehicles: increased availability of start/stop systems

Increased use of variable intake/exhaust valve systems and eco-drive assists

2011/03/18

Summary
Environmental measures: Increased availability of variable intake and exhaust valve systems and eco-drive assists
Increased availability of start/stop systems with a shorter engine restart time

Summary

Below is a summary of the environmental performances of new passenger cars released by Japanese automakers in the domestic market in 2010 through January 2011 (new models and fully-remodeled cars are reflected; OEM supplies by other automakers are not accounted for).

Nearly all new passenger cars meet the 75% reduction level from the emissions standard set for 2005. Nearly all passenger cars, other than certain versions, are also compliant with the fuel efficiency standard set for 2010. Among all new passenger cars, the hybrid vehicles and certain gasoline-fueled vehicles meet the fuel efficiency standard set for 2015.

Among a number of technical measures taken to improve fuel efficiency, many new passenger cars have variable valve systems in both the intake and exhaust lines of their engines. Fuel efficiency and eco-drive level indicators, eco-drive modes (priority placed on fuel efficiency by suppressive control of drive power and air conditioning) and other systems designed to support low fuel consumption are made available on more models than before.

The availability of the start/stop systems has also been increased. They are available on five new models in total (Toyota, Nissan, Mazda and Daihatsu). Increasingly available are the systems that reduce the engine restarting time to eliminate the awkward feeling often associated with start/stop systems.

Emissions and fuel efficiencies of the new passenger cars released by Japanese automakers in the domestic market in 2010 through January 2011

Model (Month/Year of release)	2005 emission regulations		2010 fuel efficiency standards
Model (Month/Year of release)	75% lower level (SU-LEV)	50% lower level (U-LEV)	+ 25% better level	+ 20% better level	+ 15% better level	Conforming~ + 10% better level
Toyota Vitz (Dec. 2010)	All grades		All other grades		1.3L･4WD	1.5L･MT
Toyota Ractis (Nov. 2010)	All grades		2WD		All other grades
Toyota FJ Cruiser (Nov. 2010)		All grades
Toyota Passo (Feb. 2010)	All grades		1.0L･2WD		1.3L･2WD	All other grades
Lexus CT200h (Jan. 2011)	All grades		All grades
Honda Fit Hybrid (Oct. 2010)	All grades		All grades
Honda Freed Spike (Jul. 2010)	All grades		2WD			All other grades
Honda CR-Z (Feb. 2010)	All grades		All grades
Nissan Leaf (Dec. 2010)	(Zero emissions)		JC08 mode AC power consumption: 124Wh/km
Nissan Serena (Nov. 2010)	All grades		All grades
Nissan Elgrand (Aug. 2010)	All grades		2.5L	3.5L･2WD (2,020kg or heavier)	3.5L･4WD	All other grades
Nissan March (Jul. 2010)	All grades		All grades
Nissan Juke (Jun. 2010)	1.5L	All other grades			1.5L	All other grades
Mazda Premacy (Jul. 2010)	All grades		2WD + i-stop (1,520kg or heavier)	2WD + i-stop	2WD (without i-stop)	All other grades
Mitsubishi RVR (Feb. 2010)	All grades				All grades
Suzuki MR wagon (Jan. 2011)	All grades		All other grades	Turbocharged ･4WD
Suzuki Solio (Dec. 2010)	All grades		All grades
Suzuki Swift (Dec. 2010)	All grades		All other grades		5MT
Daihatsu Move (Dec. 2010)	All grades		All grades

Source: Environmental information by model published by respective automakers as of the end of February 2010
(Notes) 1.	New models and fully-remodeled vehicles only (OEM supplies are not included).
2.	The "eco-car tax" privileges introduced on April 1, 2009 to promote the use of green vehicles, include a 100% exemption of both the automobile weight tax and acquisition tax for hybrid vehicles that meet SU-LEV level (emission performance) and 2010 fuel efficiency standard at +25% level. Under the same taxation, 75% tax reductions apply to gasoline fueled vehicles that meet SU-LEV level (emission performance) and 2010 fuel efficiency standard +25% level; 50% reductions to gasoline fueled vehicles that meet 2010 fuel efficiency standard +20% and +15%. The privilege period lasts until the end of April 2012 (automobile weight tax) and the end of March 2012 (automobile acquisition tax).
3.	The automobile "green tax" privileges include a 50% reduction of the motor vehicle tax for those vehicles that meet SU-LEV level and 2010 fuel efficiency standard +25% (the reduction applies to the year after the year of purchase; not applicable to minicars). The privilege period lasts until the end of March 2012.
4.	The "eco-car subsidy" program (financial aid for the promotion of green vehicles) was introduced on April 10, 2009 and lasted until September 7, 2010. The program offered JPY250,000 to the vehicle owner that traded a 13 years or older vehicle with a new car that met the 2010 fuel efficiency standard (JPY125,000 for a minicar). Those owners that bought new vehicles without trading in the old car received JPY100,000 (JPY50,000 for a minicar) if the new vehicle met the SU-LEV emission performance level and 2010 fuel efficiency standard +15%.
5.	The 2015 fuel efficiency standard announced in July 2007 includes an average fuel efficiency of 16.8km/L or higher for passenger cars (23.5% improvement over the result in FY2004) and a change of fuel efficiency testing method from the 10･15 mode to JC08 mode test run. Among the new passenger cars released in 2010 through January 2011, some of Toyota Passo cars, Lexus CT200h, Honda CR-Z, Nissan Serena, some of Nissan Elgrand and some of Nissan March meet the 2015 fuel efficiency standard.