NY Clean Pass (HOV): Chevy Volt does not meet the emissions requirement and does not qualify

Interesting, why does the 2011 HCH not qualify? I noticed these mileage figures for the 2010 vs. 2011 HCH from http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm:
2010: 40 city/45 highway, 42 combined
2011: 40 city/43 highway, 41 combined

Did the 2011 HCH undergo a significant change to "lose" gas mileage or was it due to some calculation/measurement switchover?

By that, I'm guessing (pure speculation on my part) that the 2010 mileage figured might've been obtained by conversion by formula of old (pre-MY08 method) and the 2011 had to go through the new set of tests?

Also of note (to me) was this:

If so, it seems that this "45 mpg" requirement is a moving target. Under the old EPA methods, the above had at least "45 mpg" for at least one of their measures. Just because the EPA did a conversion by formula doesn't meant the above cars' mileage changed.

 

i think poeple high up will make some change and the volt will be exepted

 

I'm wouldn't so sure of that...

I think the Volt will need to change to meet the requirement or the requirements will have to change drastically, which could let in a bunch more vehicles. This is the state of New York making decisions based on some (semi-arbitrary) criteria. I doubt they'd bend to the will of GM or the Federal government, if either are pushing.

 

In our beloved Merlin, vehicles have to have an EPA rating of 45 MPGs
to be exempt from periodic emissions testing.
The Gen II up to 2007 met this requirement, it was the only car to meet
the requirement.

However, due changes in the EPA testing procedure effective in 2008,
2008s and 2009's do not meet the standard as the new figure is 43MPG.
Same exact ICE/HSD, same AT-PZEV rating, etc. Go figure.

So as it now stands pre-2008 Gen IIs and Gen IIIs are exempt.
2008s and 2009s are not... idiotic.

I don't expect it to ever be "fixed."
In this case, it is not about pollution it is about revenue generation.

FWIW, my earlier rant:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/79856-maryland-emissions-testing-what-joke.html

 

Improvement beyond traditional is the desired outcome. ULEV most definitely doesn't qualify as that. And without a guarantee of routine plugging, dependence on the engine becomes an emission problem. Heck, just the range-reduction from winter is enough to raise red flags. After all, what percentage of FFV never use E85?
.

 

I'd say the same thing about letting SOVs into HOV lanes in the first place.

Out here, at least, HOV lanes are about reducing congestion. There are more effective ways to reduce pollution.

 

Fail.

How could they muck up the emissions on this car?

Did the UAW stick their fingers in the design and say "you have to use crappy engine X from plant Z or else we're going on strike. We're not going to learn to build a new engine"

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