Super ultra-low emissions vehicle (SULEV) is a U.S. classification for passenger vehicle emissions. The classification is based on producing 90% fewer emissions than the average gasoline-powered vehicle.[1] The SULEV standard is stricter than the standard for LEV (low emission vehicle) and ULEV (ultra-low-emission vehicle), however not as strict as PZEV (partial zero-emissions vehicle) which meets the SULEV standard for tailpipe emissions, but has zero instead of reducedevaporative emissions.[2][irrelevant citation] Japan also offers an SU-LEV classification, for vehicles that show a 75 percent reduction in emissions vis-à-vis the 2005 emissions standards.
The SULEV classification is defined among theSmog Ratings for vehicles in theUnited States Environmental Protection Agency'sGreen Vehicle Guide.
The U.S. EPA's sitefueleconomy.gov has aPower Search that provides smog ratings for particular vehicle models based on model year, make (manufacturer), and other criteria. As of February 2026, the EPA smog rating for a vehicle model appears within the Energy and Environmental tab of that model's profile.
Examples of vehicles delivering SULEV emissions performance include:
In California, manufacturers of SULEVs can be given a partial credit for producing azero-emission vehicle (ZEV) and so a vehicle of this type can be administratively designated as apartial zero-emissions vehicle (PZEV). In order to qualify as a PZEV, a vehicle must meet the SULEV standard and, in addition, have zeroevaporative emissions from its fuel system plus a 15-year/150,000 mi (241,402 km) warranty on its emission-control components.
In the case of hybrid vehicles this warranty is extended to the electric propulsion components (electric motor/generator/starter, battery,inverter, controls) and their mechanical interface to thedriveline. However, the high-voltage battery warranty is limited to ten years (but still 150,000 miles).
