A zero-emissions vehicle, or ZEV will, theoretically, produce no pollution from the vehicle when stationary or operating. Emissions of concern include particulates (soot), hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and various oxides of nitrogen. Although not generally considered a pollutant, carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas implicated in global warming scenarios.

The only generally available technology considered zero emission is that used in battery powered electric vehicles.

Developmental techologies offering zero pollution include:

• hydrogen utilizing fuel cell powered electric vehicles
• compressed air vehicles, typically recharged by slow (home) or fast (road station) electric compressors
• flywheel energy storage vehicles

Note that "zero emissions" does not mean that the complete power cycle is non-polluting, except in special cases, since in most cases the energy is provided from fossil fuel plants. This may still be an advantage for urban areas when compared to conventional vechicles. Special cases producing zero pollution in the operating energy cycle would include electric vehicles where an offsetting amount of zero emissions power is provided, especially solar electric power. "Zero emissions" also does not include emissions associated with manufacturing such vehicles or components, nor outgassing from synthetic materials used in vehicle construction, nor soot-like dust from tire wear, nor potential pollution associated with end-of-life vehicle or vehicle component dismantling, recycling, and reuse.

Hydrogen powered vehicles as proposed by the automotive industry are especially questionable in their net pollution since current economic production of hydrogen is typically by the processing of natural gas or coal using water in processes using high temperature and pressure. Unless special care is taken to sequester the carbon dioxide and other more toxic waste from these processes, a future "hydrogen economy" may produce even more greenhouse gases and toxic pollution than the current fossil fuel usage. However, hydrogen may be produced from water using electricity, which may be derived from solar power, but currently at greater expense[1] than from fossil fuels.

[1] The expenses from using solar power appear greater than for fossil fuels largely because many of the costs of fossil fuels have been externalized, that is to say that someone other than the producer and consumer of the product bear the indirect costs of the cycle (though these may be the same population, bearing for example, increased health costs).

List of Zero-emissions vehicles

Fuel cell vehicles

• General Motors Hy-wire (concept car)
• Mercedes-Benz Citaro

Compressed air vehicles

Electric vehicles

• General Motors EV1

Others

See also

• Compressed air vehicle
• Electric vehicle
• Flywheel energy storage
• Fuel cell
• Partial zero-emissions vehicle
• Photovoltaic cell
• Solar Power