From ULEZ to HEV: what do the acronyms means?

For some reason, acronyms are popular in the motor industry, especially within electric vehicles, or should we say EVs? Maybe it’s something to do with saving energy.

When you first come to look at low emission vehicles, it can be slightly intimidating and confusing making the change from a petrol based vehicle. But it’s made all the more confusing when brochures and product descriptions are filled with acronyms.

For those who work in the industry, the acronyms are used daily but those part of the wider community, the meanings aren’t often understood. So, we’ve decided to collate all the most popular ones into one post for you to refer to.

We’ve divided the acronyms into two section: vehicles and air quality enforcements.Let’s get started, shall we?

Vehicles

Ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV)

An ultra-low emission vehicle is a vehicle that produces less than 75g/km of CO2. It’s a term that groups different types of energy efficient vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrids. Any type of vehicle is classed as a ULEV so long as it emits 75g/km or less of CO2.

Electric vehicle (EV)

We’ve already mentioned this one but an EV is an electric vehicle. So any vehicle (car, motorcycle or van) that uses one or more electric motors or traction motors.

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)

A hybrid electric vehicle combines a conventional internal combustion engine system with an electric propulsion system. This combines the benefits of low emission and high fuel economy in one car. The degree to which the vehicle operates as an electric vehicle varies with each model.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: electric motors and gas engines; big difference between this and HEV is it can be plugged in and charged at home.

Air quality

Low emission zone (LEZ)

While the congestion charge in London has become familiar for motorists in and driving to the capital, recognition of the more recent low emission zone is low.

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covers most of Greater London. It was introduced to encourage those driving heavy polluting vehicles to become cleaner. LEZ’s don’t forbid entry but they receive a daily charge if they don’t meet a particular standard.

Ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ)

From September 2020, London will introduce an ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) in central areas. Like the LEZ, vehicles that don’t meet the criteria will have to pay a daily charge. The criteria for the ULEZ will be Euro 3 for motorcycles, Euro 4 for petrol cars, vans and minibuses, Euro 6 for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and Euro VI for lorries, buses and coaches

It is likely that, in the future, these zones will appear in other large cities around the country.

Low emission vehicle rental

As experts in low-emission rental, Green Motion has a fleet of electric and hybrid cars with staff who can help you select the right vehicle. For more information, call us today on 0333 888 4000.