Kiera Jefferson
Motor vehicles are a major source of air pollution, emitting pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter directly into the air. In Australia, transport accounts for 16% of greenhouse gas emissions, with light vehicles alone contributing 10%. While the country has vehicle standards in place to reduce air pollutants, Australian cars pollute more per kilometre than most other countries, and vehicle emissions are estimated to cause over 11,000 premature deaths per year in Australia.
How much air pollution comes from cars in Australia?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions in Australia that come from transport | 16% to 18% |
| Percentage of total greenhouse gas emissions in Australia that come from light vehicles | 10% |
| Percentage of total emissions inventory in the US that come from the transportation sector | Over 55% |
| Percentage of VOCs emissions in the US that come from the transportation sector | Less than 10% |
| Average amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a passenger vehicle per year | 4.6 metric tonnes |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a standard compact to midsize car that travels 12,000 miles | 11,000 pounds |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by burning one gallon of gasoline | 8,887 grams (19.59 pounds) |
| Amount of carbon dioxide emitted by burning one gallon of diesel | 10,180 grams (22.44 pounds) |
| Percentage of total emissions in Australia that come from light vehicles in 2012 | Almost two-thirds |
| Percentage of vehicles that contributed to 90% of the total emissions in a 2015 study | Bottom 25% |
| Percentage of black carbon (soot) in the 2015 study that came from the bottom 25% of vehicles | 95% |
| Percentage of carbon dioxide in the 2015 study that came from the bottom 25% of vehicles | 93% |
| Percentage of VOCs in the 2015 study that came from the bottom 25% of vehicles | 76% |
| Number of premature deaths caused by vehicle emissions per year in Australia, according to researchers | Over 11,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Cars are a major source of air pollution in Australia
In Australia, transport accounts for 16-18% of greenhouse gas emissions, with light vehicles alone contributing 10%. Cars in Australia also pollute more per kilometre than in most other countries. A standard compact to midsize car travelling 12,000 miles will emit 11,000 pounds of CO2 per year. The impact of car emissions is not limited to the atmosphere; it also affects soil and water quality, contributing to rising ocean levels and displacing wildlife populations.
The health consequences of air pollution from cars are significant. Traffic emissions have been linked to various cardio-respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, asthma, and adverse birth outcomes. Children and unborn babies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, with those chronically exposed having an increased risk of asthma, respiratory infections, stunted lung growth, and organ damage. A recent study estimated that vehicle emissions may cause over 11,000 premature deaths per year in Australia, far exceeding the number of road accident fatalities.
To address this issue, Australia has implemented vehicle emissions standards to reduce air pollutants and improve human health and air quality. The Green Vehicle Guide is an online resource that rates new vehicles based on their emissions, encouraging consumers to purchase low-emission cars. State and territory governments also offer incentives, such as reduced stamp duty costs for green vehicles. While these measures are a step in the right direction, individuals can also play a role in reducing emissions by opting for public transport, walking, or cycling whenever possible.
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Vehicle emissions and health consequences
Vehicle emissions have been linked to a range of adverse health consequences, with traffic pollution causing ten times more premature deaths than road accidents in Australia. A 2023 study estimates that vehicle emissions may cause over 11,000 deaths per year in Australia, a significant increase from previous estimates of 2,000 premature deaths per year.
The health effects of vehicle emissions are caused by a mix of pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons. These pollutants can have both immediate and long-term impacts on human health, especially with prolonged exposure or high concentrations. Particulate matter, a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets, can be inhaled and enter the bloodstream, causing damage to the lungs and other organs. Carbon monoxide, produced when fuel is burned, can affect critical organs like the heart and brain. Nitrogen dioxide, formed from emissions from vehicles, contributes to the formation of smog and ozone, which can cause respiratory issues.
In addition to the direct health impacts, vehicle emissions also contribute to climate change, leading to warming climates, extreme weather events, and rising ocean levels. These environmental changes can further impact human health, as seen with the increase in wildfires and natural disasters.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of vehicle emissions, with exposure linked to childhood asthma, recurrent lung infections, and adverse birth outcomes. Adults are also at an increased risk of premature death, stroke, diabetes, and heart and lung disease from prolonged exposure to vehicle emissions.
To address these health consequences, Australia has implemented vehicle standards to reduce air pollutants, improve air quality, and mitigate the health impacts. However, Australia currently lacks new vehicle carbon dioxide standards and has been slow to adopt stricter fuel quality and vehicle emission regulations.
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Australian cars pollute more per kilometre than most countries
Australia's transport emissions or transport greenhouse gas pollution levels have been steadily rising and are projected to continue increasing. A report by the Climate Council found that Australia's transport-related emissions have continued to rise due to policy inaction. The nation's transition to electric vehicles has been hampered by a lack of incentives and mandatory pollution standards for vehicles, which have been implemented in almost all other OECD countries.
In 2021, Australian cars were found to pollute more per kilometre than other comparable countries. This was attributed to a lack of mandatory emissions standards, vehicle size, and the purchasing decisions made by individuals, businesses, and government fleet buyers. The report emphasized the urgent need to implement greenhouse gas emissions standards for vehicles, bringing Australia in line with the global car market.
Transport accounts for a significant proportion of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. Light vehicles, including cars, vans, and utes, contribute almost two-thirds of transport emissions in Australia. The average emissions intensity for all vehicles on Australian roads as of January 2024 was 193.7 g/km, with larger vehicles, particularly utes, showing a 6% increase in average footprint from 2003 to 2023.
The Climate Council identified the "Filthy Five" car companies, whose fleets are estimated to produce as much domestic climate pollution as some of Australia's biggest coal mines. These companies are Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, and Mazda. The absence of mandatory emissions standards and the continued sales of inefficient cars by these companies contribute to the high levels of climate pollution in Australia.
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Australia's vehicle emissions standards
Australia has vehicle emission standards in place to reduce air pollutants and their adverse effects on human health and air quality. These standards, set by Australian Design Rules (ADRs), specify the maximum level of emissions permitted by a vehicle under a specified test. The ADRs are legislative instruments under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989.
In 2011, the Australian government announced the adoption of stronger emissions standards, with the first stage ('Euro 5' standards) fully implemented in 2016. The country has also progressively tightened its noxious emission standards over the past 40 years, which set maximum limits for emissions from vehicle exhausts for new road vehicles. The Green Vehicle Guide is an online resource that rates new vehicles based on their emissions, calculated using data provided by manufacturers when their vehicles are tested against the relevant ADRs.
In May 2024, the Australian Parliament passed the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which sets the first-ever CO2 emission standards for light-duty vehicles in the country. The NVES sets annual gCO2/km emission targets from 2025 to 2029 for passenger cars, SUVs, utes, and vans. This is expected to increase the sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and promote the adoption of cleaner and more efficient vehicles in Australia. The standard will also help decrease CO2 emissions by increasing the supply of more affordable, electric, and hybrid vehicles.
The implementation of these standards is a critical step toward Australia's decarbonization goals and is projected to lead to a cumulative emissions reduction of 20 million tons through 2030 and 321 million tons through 2050. The standards would progressively reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new light vehicles to 105g/km in 2025, almost half the current level of 192g/km. This will bring Australia broadly in line with the United States, although still trailing the tighter European Union targets.
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Electric cars in Australia
Australia, like many other countries, has vehicle standards in place to reduce air pollutants. These standards, known as Australian Design Rules (ADRs), regulate air pollutants to improve human health and air quality. Despite these standards, light vehicles, which include cars, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles, are the largest contributors to transport emissions in Australia, emitting 57 Mt CO2-e in 2012. This accounts for almost two-thirds of transport emissions and 10% of Australia's total emissions.
To address this issue, Australia is encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). EVs are powered by a battery and require recharging at home or at public charging stations instead of refuelling at petrol stations. They offer instant acceleration response, greater stability and handling due to their lower centre of gravity, and reduced maintenance compared to petrol and diesel engines. EVs also have zero tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce air pollution and improve air quality.
There are different types of EVs available in Australia, including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). BEVs are fully electric, while PHEVs can operate in full-electric mode, full combustion engine mode, or a combination of both. Some popular EV options in Australia include the Kia EV5, EV3, EV9, and EV6, as well as the Cupra Tavascan, Volvo EX90, and BYD Dolphin-rivalling GAC Aion UT electric car.
To support the transition to EVs, Australia has resources like the Green Vehicle Guide, which rates vehicles based on their greenhouse and air pollution emissions. Additionally, some states and territories offer incentives for purchasing low-emissions vehicles, such as reduced stamp duty costs or technology-specific discounts.
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Frequently asked questions
Cars are a major source of air pollution in Australia. In 2012, light vehicles emitted 57 Mt CO2-e, contributing to almost two-thirds of transport emissions and 10% of Australia's total emissions. Australian cars also pollute more per kilometre than most other countries.
Vehicle emissions have been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including cardio-respiratory diseases, lung cancer, childhood asthma, adverse birth outcomes, and diabetes. Children and unborn babies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.
The main pollutants emitted by cars include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and carbon dioxide. These pollutants can cause respiratory problems and have been linked to cancer, asthma, heart disease, birth defects, and eye irritation.
There are several ways to reduce car emissions in Australia:
- Incentivizing the purchase of low-emission vehicles through state and territory vehicle purchase and registration charges.
- Adopting stronger vehicle emissions standards, such as the 'Euro 5' standards.
- Encouraging the use of public transport, walking, or cycling as alternatives to driving.
- Regularly servicing cars and ensuring proper tyre inflation to reduce emissions.
- Carpooling and avoiding city driving or air conditioning can also help lower emissions.
