Car Pollution: Earth's Adversary

Cars, trucks, and buses powered by fossil fuels are a major contributor to air pollution. In the US, the transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with cars and trucks accounting for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions. The burning of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. This, along with other greenhouse gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons, is causing the Earth's atmosphere to warm, resulting in climate change. The effects of this are already being felt, with more frequent and intense heat waves, rising sea levels, severe flooding, and droughts.

Car production and destruction

Additionally, the end of a car's life does not mean the end of its environmental impact. Plastics, toxic battery acids, and other products can remain in the environment, causing long-term damage. However, recycling practices have improved, and about three-quarters of today's average car, including the steel frame, can be recycled. This helps reduce the environmental impact of car destruction.

The production and disposal costs to the environment are challenging to quantify and are often beyond the control of consumers. Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that the majority of a car's environmental impact, estimated at 80 to 90 percent, comes from fuel consumption and emissions of air pollution and greenhouse gases. These emissions contribute to global warming and climate change.

The burning of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As of July 2023, the Earth's atmospheric carbon dioxide level was at its highest since humans have been on the planet. This overload of carbon dioxide is causing a rise in land and ocean temperatures, leading to more severe storms, droughts, and other extreme weather events.

Furthermore, vehicle emissions, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds, have significant health impacts. They increase the risks of asthma, heart and lung disease, dementia, and cancer, especially in children and those living near busy roads. According to estimates, vehicle pollution causes 17,000 to 20,000 deaths in the United States each year, and one in three people is exposed to unhealthy air.

To mitigate the environmental and health impacts of car pollution, transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial. While the manufacturing process for EVs currently has a higher environmental impact, their overall lifecycle emissions are significantly lower, especially as electricity becomes cleaner through the increased use of renewable energy sources.

Vehicle emissions and carbon dioxide pollution

Burning fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. The buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is causing the Earth's atmosphere to warm, resulting in changes to the climate. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation account for about 28% of total US greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor.

Every gallon of gasoline burned sends 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, where it stays for thousands of years. The average US driver purchases 522 gallons of gasoline per year, adding 5.22 tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Gasoline superusers, defined as US drivers in the top 10% for gasoline consumption, use at least 1,100 gallons of gasoline a year and emit at least 11 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Collectively, cars and trucks account for nearly one-fifth of all US emissions, emitting around 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other global-warming gases for every gallon of gas. More than 19 pounds of this comes directly from a car's tailpipe.

The good news is that we can reduce pollution from motor vehicles. Driving the cleanest vehicle you can afford and making everyday choices to drive less and drive smarter can make a big difference. Electric vehicles, in particular, produce fewer emissions than their conventional counterparts.

Air pollution from vehicles

Cars and trucks are one of the leading causes of air pollution. Passenger vehicles and heavy-duty trucks are a major source of ozone, particulate matter, and other smog-forming emissions. In 2013, transportation contributed more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons emitted into the air.

Carbon Dioxide Pollution

Every gallon of gasoline burned releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, where it remains for thousands of years. Burning gasoline and diesel for transportation is the biggest source of carbon emissions in the United States. The average US driver purchases 522 gallons of gasoline per year, adding 5.22 tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

Air Pollution

When vehicles burn gasoline and diesel, the exhaust from the tailpipe contains toxic pollutants including carbon monoxide, smog-causing volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, formaldehyde, and benzene. Vehicle emissions are a major source of benzene, a carcinogen linked to leukemia, blood disorders, and infertility. They increase the risks of asthma, heart and lung disease, dementia, and cancers, especially in children and those who live near busy roads or commute long distances.

Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) can help to reduce air pollution from transportation. In all 50 states, the annual emissions from an electric vehicle are less than those of a gas car. Over the lifetime of the vehicle, total emissions depend on how much the vehicle is driven. The more the vehicle is driven, the faster the EV becomes cleaner than a gas car.

Reducing Vehicle Pollution

To reduce air pollution from vehicles, it is necessary to reduce the amount of gasoline and diesel used. For people who use a lot of gasoline, switching to an electric vehicle can be an effective way to cut gasoline use.

Health and environmental risks

Cars, trucks, and buses powered by fossil fuels are major contributors to air pollution. In the US, vehicles are the biggest source of air quality compromise, producing about one-third of all air pollution. They emit a wide range of gases and solid matter, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, benzene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. These emissions have been linked to adverse impacts on nearly every organ system in the body.

Particulate matter, which is a primary component of vehicle exhaust, poses a serious threat to human health. Fine particles—less than one-tenth the diameter of a human hair—can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory problems. Particulate matter is responsible for up to 30,000 premature deaths each year. Diesel engines emit high levels of particulate matter, which can cause skin and eye irritation and allergies.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are another pollutant emitted by vehicles. VOCs react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a main ingredient in smog. Ground-level ozone irritates the respiratory system, causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity. It is especially harmful to infants and people with heart disease. VOCs emitted from vehicles are also linked to different types of cancer.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are a further pollutant emitted by vehicles. These form ground-level ozone and particulate matter. NOx can cause lung irritation and weaken the body's defenses against respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza. Nitrous oxide also contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas formed by the combustion of fossil fuels. When inhaled, CO blocks oxygen from reaching the brain, heart, and other vital organs. It is particularly dangerous to infants and people with heart disease.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a pollutant created by burning sulfur-containing fuels, especially diesel and coal. Sulfur dioxide can react in the atmosphere to form fine particles, posing a significant health risk to young children and asthmatics. It also mixes with rainwater to create acid rain, which damages crops, forests, and other vegetation and buildings.

Vehicle emissions also contribute to global warming and climate change. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise. This, in turn, affects farming, wildlife, sea levels, and natural landscapes.

Solutions to reduce car pollution

Cars have a significant impact on the planet, from the production process to their emissions. However, there are several solutions to reduce car pollution and its effects on the Earth.

Opt for Electric Vehicles:

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, and their fuel comes from renewable sources like solar and wind power. While the infrastructure for EVs is still developing, they are a crucial step towards reducing pollution.

Improve Fuel Efficiency:

Choosing fuel-efficient vehicles with low greenhouse gas emissions can benefit both the environment and your wallet. Modern cars with improved fuel efficiency technologies emit fewer pollutants and consume less fuel, reducing your carbon footprint.

Maintain Your Vehicle:

Regular maintenance and care of your car can significantly reduce fuel consumption and pollution. This includes proper engine tuning, oil changes, air filter checks, and maintaining correct tire pressure. A well-maintained car runs more efficiently and produces fewer emissions.

Reduce Idle Time:

Unnecessary idling of vehicles wastes fuel and pollutes the air. Turning off your engine when stopped for more than 10 seconds, or taking advantage of automatic start/stop systems in newer cars, can help reduce emissions and save fuel.

Change Travel Habits:

Consider reducing the distance and time spent on the road. Combine errands, utilise public transportation, work from home when possible, and opt for walking or biking for shorter distances. These simple changes can have a significant impact on reducing vehicle emissions.

Embrace Public Transportation:

Public transportation, such as buses and trains, offers an immediate solution to reducing transportation-related pollution. It saves millions of metric tons of carbon dioxide annually and decreases an individual's carbon footprint when used in place of private vehicles.

Optimise Deliveries:

When shopping online, request deliveries to be grouped into fewer shipments with minimal packaging. Being flexible with delivery times allows delivery companies to optimise their routes, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and their overall emissions.

Reduce Weight and Drag:

Extra weight and drag increase fuel consumption and emissions. Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle, and consider the weight and design of any attached accessories, such as roof racks, to improve fuel efficiency.

Switch to Alternative Fuels:

Alternative fuels, such as biofuels (e.g., ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG) and hydrogen fuel cells, offer a way to reduce pollution. While not perfect, they can be a step towards lowering emissions, especially in older vehicles.

Walk or Bike:

For shorter distances, consider walking or biking instead of driving. This not only reduces emissions but also provides health benefits. Many cities are implementing bike-share programs to encourage this shift in transportation.

These solutions provide a comprehensive approach to reducing car pollution and its impact on the Earth. By adopting these strategies, we can work towards a cleaner and more sustainable future for our planet.

Frequently asked questions