Cars' Pollution Problem In Canada: A Comprehensive Overview

Canadians and Americans currently drive the world's most climate-polluting cars and trucks. On average, Canadian cars emit 206 gCO2/km just from burning gasoline, and when the full lifecycle emissions are included, the total jumps well above 250 gCO2/km. There are approximately 18 million passenger vehicles on Canadian roads, which are a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in urban areas. While emissions of some pollutants from passenger vehicles have declined over the past two decades, air pollution continues to be one of Canada's highest environmental priorities and challenges.

The average Canadian car emits 206 gCO2/km from burning gasoline

Canadians and Americans currently drive the world's most climate-polluting cars and trucks. On average, they emit more than 60 tonnes of climate pollution (tCO2) each over their lifespan. The average Canadian car emits 206 gCO2/km from burning gasoline alone. When the full lifecycle emissions are included, the total jumps well above 250 gCO2/km. Some examples of cars in this average level range are the Nissan Rogue and the Subaru Outback.

There are approximately 18 million passenger vehicles on Canadian roads, and they are a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in urban areas. While emissions of some pollutants from passenger vehicles have declined over the past two decades, air pollution continues to be one of Canada's highest environmental priorities and challenges. Passenger vehicles emit various air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur oxides (SOx).

The number of vehicles on the road is not the only factor contributing to increased GHG emissions. The type of vehicles automakers are selling and that Canadians are buying also plays a significant role. For example, the compact Honda Civic emits 149.6 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometre, according to data from a 2018 City of Toronto electric mobility report.

To meet the Paris Climate Agreement goals, all cars and trucks in Canada will need to transition to nearly zero-emissions as soon as possible. Pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) charged with fairly clean electricity are one such option that already exists today, and many Canadians and Americans are already driving them. However, the required transition away from climate-damaging vehicles is happening too slowly, with legacy car makers continuing to produce large numbers of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Passenger vehicles emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)>

Canadians and Americans currently drive the world's most climate-polluting cars and trucks. On average, they emit more than 60 tonnes of climate pollution (tCO2) each over their lifespan. The average Canadian car emits 206 gCO2/km just from burning gasoline, and when the full lifecycle emissions are included, the total jumps well above 250 gCO2/km. Passenger vehicles emit various air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

There are approximately 18 million passenger vehicles on Canadian roads, and they are a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in urban areas. While emissions of some pollutants from passenger vehicles have declined over the past two decades, air pollution continues to be one of Canada's highest environmental priorities and challenges.

The compact Honda Civic emits 149.6 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometre, according to data from a 2018 City of Toronto electric mobility report. This is a significant improvement over older models, which burned through more gas and emitted more pollutants. Despite these improvements, total emissions from light-duty trucks (pickups, SUVs and vans) have more than doubled in Canada since 1990.

Passenger vehicles emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through the burning of gasoline and other fossil fuels. These compounds can have adverse effects on human health and the environment. VOCs can react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a major component of smog. This can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma. VOCs can also contribute to the formation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause serious health issues.

To reduce the emissions of VOCs from passenger vehicles, Canadians can transition to zero-emission vehicles, such as pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) charged with clean electricity. While many Canadians are already driving these vehicles, the transition away from climate-damaging vehicles is happening too slowly. Automakers continue to produce and sell internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which are a major source of VOCs and other pollutants.

Canadians drive the world's most climate-polluting cars

There are approximately 18 million passenger vehicles on Canadian roads, and this number is increasing. As a result, cars are a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in urban areas. While emissions of some pollutants from passenger vehicles have declined over the past two decades, air pollution continues to be one of Canada's highest environmental priorities and challenges. Passenger vehicles emit various air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur oxides (SOx).

The type of vehicles automakers are selling and that Canadians are buying is also a factor. For example, the compact Honda Civic emits 149.6 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometre, according to data from a 2018 City of Toronto electric mobility report. In addition, total emissions from light-duty trucks (pickups, SUVs and vans) have more than doubled in Canada since 1990.

To meet the Paris Climate Agreement goals, all Canadian cars and trucks will need to transition to nearly zero-emissions. While such climate-safe vehicles exist today, including pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) charged with fairly clean electricity, the transition away from climate-damaging vehicles is happening too slowly. Legacy car makers continue to produce huge numbers of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The number of vehicles on Canadian roads has increased

The average Canadian car emits 206 gCO2/km just from burning gasoline. When the full lifecycle emissions are included, the total jumps well above 250 gCO2/km. On average, Canadian cars emit more than 60 tonnes of climate pollution (tCO2) each over their lifespan.

The number of light-duty trucks (pickups, SUVs and vans) has more than doubled in Canada since 1990. The compact Honda Civic emits 149.6 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometre. Despite improvements in fuel efficiency, total emissions from these vehicles have more than doubled since 1990.

To meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, Canada will need to transition to nearly zero-emissions vehicles. While many Canadians are already driving pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the transition away from climate-damaging vehicles is happening too slowly.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a climate-safe alternative

Canadians and Americans currently drive the world's most climate-polluting cars and trucks. The average Canadian car emits 206 gCO2/km just from burning gasoline, and when the full lifecycle emissions are included, the total jumps well above 250 gCO2/km. On average, they emit more than 60 tonnes of climate pollution (tCO2) each over their lifespan.

Cars, pick-up trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are all types of passenger vehicles used for personal transportation in Canada. There are approximately 18 million passenger vehicles on Canadian roads, making them a major contributor to air pollution, particularly in urban areas. Passenger vehicles emit various air pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO) and sulphur oxides (SOx).

To meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, all cars and trucks will need to transition to nearly zero emissions. The good news is that such climate-safe vehicles exist today – pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) charged with fairly clean electricity. Many Canadians and Americans are already driving them. However, the transition away from climate-damaging vehicles is happening too slowly, with legacy car makers continuing to produce huge numbers of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The compact Honda Civic emits 149.6 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilometre, according to a 2018 City of Toronto electric mobility report. Despite some progress in reducing emissions, total emissions from light-duty trucks (pickups, SUVs and vans) have more than doubled in Canada since 1990.

Frequently asked questions