PZEV "controversy"

[Mark Rosenkrantz]

I took delivery of a 2012 VW Jetta GLi Autobahn with Navigation, 6 speed
manual last week, for the wife.  I can confirm it is a PZEV, and the
sticker under the hood states "conforms to...."

A little browsing found this:
http://drive2.subaru.com/Fall08/Fall08_whatmakes.htm

>From fall of 2008, Subaru claims it's PZEV vehicles are available in
non-PZEV states, as an option.
In other words, the EPA didn't have a PZEV category, so as long as the
vehicle fits into another EPA category (they all do), it's LEGAL to sell a
"PZEV" vehicle in any state a long as they meet all other regulations (they
all do).  It's just that the manufacturer doesn't get any "credits" for
selling a PZEV vehicle in a "non-PZEV" state.  It's worth noting the
careful wording on the underhood stickers as "conforms to" the california
PZEV requirements.  The window (Monroney) sticker can then be tailored,
state-to-state.

But in PZEV states, the manufacturers need to sell a certain percentage of
PZEV cars in the fleet every year to even be able to do business in the
state.  I've read, and I don't know if this is true, that running a riding
lawnmower for a 1 acre lawn mowing session (1-2 gallons?) puts out more
pollutants than 2000 miles in a PZEV car.  I've also read that in a high
smog area, tailpipe emmission of a PZEV are often cleaner than the
surrounding air.  Probably just hype, but still impressive if even
semi-true.

Anyone in a non-PZEV state want to head to a VW dealer and look under the
hood for PZEV stickers on a Jetta or Golf 2.5L as well as a GLi or GTi with
the 2.0 TSI engine?  If so, I can send you pictures of my car's stickers
and thier locations.

Mark Rosenkrantz