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

 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
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.
This report is for paid members only. Remaining 2 chapters remaining.
Free membership registration allows you to read the rest of the article for a limited time.