Helena Joyce
Cars produce a significant amount of pollution in the UK, contributing to air quality problems and having a major impact on the environment. While electric vehicles are becoming more popular, the majority of cars on the road in the UK are still powered by petrol or diesel, with 18.7 million petrol cars and 10.7 million diesel cars licensed in Great Britain at the end of 2023. These traditional fuel sources emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrocarbons, which have harmful effects on both human health and the environment. For example, carbon dioxide traps radiation, preventing the Earth from cooling and warming the oceans, while nitrogen oxides cause plant and crop damage. While data on the exact amount of pollution produced by cars in the UK may vary and can be challenging to measure, it is clear that the pollution generated by cars is a significant issue that needs to be addressed to improve air quality and reduce the risks to health and the environment.
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What You'll Learn
- Electric cars produce less harmful emissions over their lifetime
- Transport is the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gases in the UK
- Cars are a major polluter, accounting for 61% of total CO2 emissions from EU road transport
- The UK government has outlined strategies to reduce transport emissions, including the zero-emission vehicle mandate
- Air pollutants from transport have decreased since 1990, largely because newer vehicles emit less nitrogen oxides and methane
Electric cars produce less harmful emissions over their lifetime
A study found that a medium-sized petrol or diesel car produces around 24 tonnes of CO2, compared to 18 tonnes for a battery electric vehicle (BEV). This is because the exhaust emissions from burning petrol and diesel contain pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrocarbons. These pollutants have detrimental effects on the environment, contributing to issues like smog, toxic air, and breathing difficulties.
EVs, on the other hand, have zero tailpipe emissions and are more energy-efficient. They use 87-91% of the energy from the battery and regenerative braking for propulsion, whereas gasoline vehicles only convert about 16-25% of gasoline energy into movement. Additionally, EVs do not produce emissions during operation, which is when most emissions occur for conventional cars.
Comparisons between electric and conventional vehicles are complex and depend on various factors, including vehicle size, fuel economy estimates, driving patterns, and regional weather conditions. However, in the UK in 2019, the Nissan Leaf EV had lifetime emissions per kilometre about three times lower than the average conventional car, even before accounting for decreasing carbon intensity over its lifetime. As countries work towards decarbonising electricity generation, the benefits of EVs will become even more pronounced.
While it's true that manufacturing EV batteries can be more carbon-intensive than producing gasoline cars, this impact can be mitigated by recycling. UK legislation mandates that 50% of an EV's battery must be recycled, and as renewable energy sources become more prevalent, the total GHGs associated with EVs are expected to decrease further.
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Transport is the largest emitting sector of greenhouse gases in the UK
In 2023, the United Kingdom became the first major economy to halve its emissions relative to 1990 levels. However, emissions from the transportation sector have not decreased significantly over the past three decades. In the mid-2010s, transportation replaced electricity supply as the UK's largest climate polluter, with mobility on land, sea, and in the air accounting for about 30% of total emissions. The UK government has outlined strategies to reduce transportation sector emissions, including the zero-emission vehicle mandate, which requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero-emission by 2030.
Road vehicles are responsible for a significant proportion of the UK's total emissions. In 2022, they accounted for approximately 90% of domestic transportation-related emissions and a quarter of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Passenger cars alone were responsible for about 60% of transportation emissions in 2022, or 60 MtCO2e. Cars and taxis made up 52% of emissions from domestic transport, followed by Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) at 20%, and vans at 17%. While overall NOx emissions from road transport decreased by 60% between 1998 and 2011, there was a notable difference between petrol and diesel cars. NOx emissions from petrol cars decreased by 90%, while emissions from diesel cars increased by 250% due to the rapid growth in the number of diesel cars.
The pollutants produced by a car over its lifetime have a significant impact on the environment. While it is challenging to measure all the pollutants, it is estimated that a car produces 10% of its CO2 during production and 5% when disposed of, with the remaining 85% produced during its operational life. The exhaust emissions from burning petrol and diesel contain pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrocarbons, which have harmful effects on the environment and human health.
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Cars are a major polluter, accounting for 61% of total CO2 emissions from EU road transport
In the UK, transport is a key source of air pollution, particularly in urban areas. Of the 600 local Air Quality Management Areas in the UK that breach national air quality objectives, 95% are due to transport activity. Road vehicles are responsible for 33% of NOx emissions, 15% of PM10 emissions, and 18% of PM2.5 emissions nationally. While emissions from petrol cars have decreased significantly, those from diesel cars have risen by 250% due to the increasing number of diesel cars on the road. Overall, cars made up 57% of transport emissions in the UK in 2021, with HGVs contributing a much smaller proportion.
To address these issues, the UK government has outlined strategies such as the zero-emission vehicle mandate, targeting 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero-emission by 2030. Additionally, the EU has set CO2 emission targets for cars and vans and plans to implement a new emissions trading system for road transport and buildings. These initiatives aim to reduce emissions and improve air quality, with the EU aiming for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from transport by 2050.
While cars produce significant emissions over their lifetime, there are ways to reduce their environmental impact. This includes improving fuel efficiency, transitioning to electric vehicles, and adopting driving habits such as driving smoothly, removing unnecessary items to reduce weight, and using roof racks only when necessary to improve fuel economy. Additionally, car sharing and shifting towards public transportation, cycling, and walking can help reduce emissions by increasing the average occupancy rate of cars.
It's important to note that measuring the pollutants produced by an individual car over its lifetime is complex. Factors such as the emissions from the production and transportation of raw materials, as well as the assembly and distribution of the vehicle, contribute to its overall environmental footprint.
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The UK government has outlined strategies to reduce transport emissions, including the zero-emission vehicle mandate
The UK's transport sector is a major source of air pollution, particularly in urban areas. Road vehicles are responsible for a significant proportion of the country's total NOx, PM10, and PM2.5 emissions. While emissions from petrol cars have decreased over the years, those from diesel cars have increased due to the rising number of diesel vehicles on the road.
To address this issue, the UK government has implemented several strategies to reduce transport emissions, including the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate. This mandate, which came into effect on January 3, 2024, requires car manufacturers to sell a certain percentage of electric vehicles each year, with the goal of phasing out internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. The mandate sets a target of 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero-emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.
The ZEV Mandate is expected to bring several benefits. Firstly, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero emissions, improving air quality in towns and cities. Secondly, it will enhance energy security by reducing reliance on oil and promoting the use of homegrown energy sources. Additionally, the mandate is expected to drive economic growth and job creation in the energy and automotive sectors.
To support the transition to zero-emission vehicles, the government has introduced schemes to lower the upfront and running costs of owning an EV. These include grants for plug-in vans and consultations on ways to make installations cheaper and quicker for charge point operators. The government has also invested in expanding the country's charging network, with over 50,000 public charge points currently available and a goal of reaching 300,000 by 2030.
The ZEV Mandate is part of the UK government's commitment to meeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and tackling climate change. It demonstrates the government's alignment with industry needs and establishes a clear framework for progress. The mandate has been well-received by the automotive industry, indicating a positive step towards a greener future.
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Air pollutants from transport have decreased since 1990, largely because newer vehicles emit less nitrogen oxides and methane
The UK has made significant progress in reducing air pollution from transport since 1990. While the transportation sector remains a major contributor to climate change, emitting about 30% of the UK's total emissions, there has been an overall decline in transport-related air pollution in recent years. This decrease is largely due to newer vehicles emitting less nitrogen oxides and methane.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and methane (CH4) are two of the most significant air pollutants produced by vehicles. NOx emissions are particularly harmful as they contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which irritates the respiratory system and weakens defences against respiratory infections. Between 1998 and 2011, NOx emissions from road transport in the UK reduced by 60%, with a 90% reduction in emissions from petrol cars. This is attributed to stricter emission standards and the development of ultra-low emission vehicles, including electric cars.
The shift towards electric vehicles is a key factor in reducing transport-related air pollution. Electric vehicles produce less harmful emissions over their lifetime. For example, a medium-sized petrol or diesel car produces around 24 tonnes of CO2, while a battery electric vehicle produces 18 tonnes. Electric vehicles also emit no harmful tailpipe pollution, which is a significant source of heat-trapping emissions and poses risks to human health at every stage of life.
In addition to electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles have also gained popularity in the UK. The number of alternatively-fuelled cars, including hybrids, increased by 35% between 2022 and 2023. These vehicles contribute to the overall reduction in air pollutants, as they typically emit less nitrogen oxides and methane compared to traditional petrol or diesel cars.
While the UK has made progress in reducing transport-related air pollution, there are still challenges ahead. Increasing traffic volumes and the rising sales of highly polluting vehicles, such as sports utility vehicles (SUVs), have contributed to the recent increase in road vehicle emissions. Additionally, the UK government has outlined ambitious targets for decarbonising the transportation sector, including the zero-emission vehicle mandate, which aims for 80% of new cars sold in Great Britain to be zero-emission by 2030.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2021, cars made up 75% of road vehicle miles travelled within the UK but produced 57% of transport emissions. Passenger cars alone were responsible for around 60 MtCO₂e in 2022, or 60% of transportation emissions that year.
The UK government has outlined several strategies to reduce the transportation sector's emissions. One such policy is the zero-emission vehicle mandate, which requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero-emission by 2030.
It is estimated that a car produces 10% of its CO2 during production, 5% when it is disposed of, and the remaining 85% during its use. A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year.
