Ford is First with Vehicle Meeting Strict California LEV II Emissions
11 November 1999
Ford Motor Company is First with Vehicle Meeting Strict California LEV II EmissionsDEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 10 -- Ford Motor Company is the first automaker in the world to certify and offer for sale a production vehicle to California's strict LEV II emissions requirements. The vehicle is a 2000 model year Ford Crown Victoria fueled by natural gas. It reaches ultra-low emissions levels under California's standards for the next generation of emissions performance several years before required. LEV II mandates that automakers phase-in the improved emissions beginning in the 2004 model year, with all vehicles complying by 2007. The natural gas Crown Victoria can be purchased now. "This achievement strongly illustrates a two-fold commitment," said Helen Petrauskas, vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering. "First, it is continuing evidence that Ford Motor Company is dedicated to providing cleaner and safer vehicles at the earliest opportunity, regardless of government timetables. And second, it demonstrates our ongoing pursuit of environmental solutions in the area of alternative fuels." The natural gas Crown Victoria will emit 67 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than a similar vehicle meeting the current California requirements and 86 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than a vehicle meeting the current federal requirements. "We applaud Ford's low-emission Crown Victoria," said California Air Resources Board Chairman Dr. Alan Lloyd. "This is the type of achievement that is required to ensure clean air for everyone." The Crown Victoria is able to achieve such low emissions levels from a combination of cleaner-burning fuel and advanced systems in the vehicle. Ford's industry-leading emissions control technology and advanced catalyst research have allowed Ford to make continual progress in emissions-related environmental actions. In general, natural gas vehicles are not only clean, they have improved drivability and performance because of the very high efficiency of the emissions control systems. Additionally, from a total life-cycle perspective, using natural gas fuel generates about 20 percent less carbon dioxide than produced with equivalent gasoline-powered vehicles. Ford Motor Company is the industry leader in low emissions vehicle applications. In 1999, the company made all of its Sport Utilities low emission vehicles and is doing the same for all pick-up trucks beginning in the 2000 model year. This will equal about two million vehicles meeting low emission requirements years ahead of any government timetable. Ford also is an industry leader in the development and sales of alternative fuel vehicles. The company makes and sells 11 vehicles in the U.S. that are capable of operating on fuels other than gasoline, more lines than any other automaker. Ford also will have three major alternative fuel vehicle lines on the road in Europe by early next year.