Starting A Car: Pollution And Environmental Impact

Cars are a major source of air pollution, with tailpipe emissions from cars, trucks, and buses accounting for over one-fifth of the United States' total global warming pollution. The combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, releases harmful by-products like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, and formaldehyde, as well as carbon dioxide, the most common human-caused greenhouse gas. The act of starting a car and driving it contributes significantly to these emissions, with the acceleration and deceleration of vehicles being particularly polluting.

Electric cars produce fewer emissions than gas-powered cars

Electric vehicles (EVs) produce fewer emissions than gas-powered cars. Although the production of an EV is more carbon-intensive and expensive than making a conventional car, studies show that over their entire life cycle, EVs contribute fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline-powered cars. This is because, during operation, EVs emit fewer greenhouse gases than gas-powered cars.

A 2021 white paper by the International Council on Clean Transportation found that the lifetime emissions of an average medium-size electric car were lower compared with a gasoline-powered car by "66-69% in Europe, 60-68% in the United States, 37-45% in China, and 19-34% in India."

According to the American Lung Association, California has some of the worst air quality in the US. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, of the eleven US counties with the worst combined short-term particle pollution, ozone, and long-term particle pollution levels, ten were in California. Nine in ten Californians live in areas with unhealthy air, much of it caused by the ozone (smog) and particle pollution from vehicle emissions.

Vehicle emissions come in two main forms: carbon dioxide pollution and air pollution. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the principal greenhouse gas, and when we burn gasoline and other fossil fuels, we release far more carbon dioxide than the planet can handle. The excess carbon dioxide forms a heat-trapping layer around the planet, acting like a heavy, insulating blanket that prevents heat from escaping into space.

Cars, trucks, and buses powered by fossil fuels are major contributors to air pollution. Transportation emits more than half of the nitrogen oxides in our air and is a major source of heat-trapping emissions in the US. Studies have linked pollutants from vehicle exhaust to adverse impacts on nearly every organ system in the body.

Driving style influences vehicle pollution

Driving a car inevitably causes pollution, but the amount of pollution produced can be influenced by the driver's style of driving.

The impact of driving style on vehicle pollution is significant. For example, aggressive driving, characterised by steep accelerations and decelerations, can lead to substantially increased emission rates and fuel penalties of up to 24%. On the other hand, eco-driving, which focuses on fuel efficiency, can lower vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. This style of driving includes changing gears earlier, maintaining steady vehicle speeds, and smooth acceleration and deceleration.

The choice of driving speed also plays a role in total fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. Trips with low average speeds tend to produce higher pollutant emissions, sometimes even higher than trips above 100 km/h. Additionally, driving in congested conditions often leads to more transient engine operations, such as accelerations and decelerations, which can increase engine idling time and impact the driver's behaviour, causing stress and potentially leading to more aggressive driving.

Idling, or leaving the engine running while the vehicle is stationary, can have a substantial impact on NOx emissions, especially in modern diesel vehicles. For example, 15 minutes of idling during a two-hour trip can cause almost 45% of the total NOx produced.

By adopting a more eco-friendly driving style, drivers can play a crucial role in reducing vehicle pollution and improving air quality, without requiring changes to infrastructure or vehicle technology.

Vehicle emissions are a major source of air pollution

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the primary greenhouse gas emitted by vehicles, and it traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. The burning of gasoline and other fossil fuels releases excessive CO2, overwhelming the Earth's natural absorption systems. This results in rising global temperatures, impacting weather patterns and ecosystems.

Carbon monoxide (CO), formed during the combustion of fossil fuels, is a colorless and odorless gas that poses serious health risks. It can cause adverse effects on the human respiratory system, leading to coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity. Additionally, carbon monoxide prevents the Earth from cooling at night, further contributing to climate change.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are another significant pollutant from vehicle emissions. They are produced by internal combustion engines burning nitrogen in the air. NOx pollutants contribute to environmental issues such as acid rain, water quality deterioration, and soil acidification. They also form ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog, which is harmful to both human health and the environment. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a component of NOx, has been linked to respiratory problems, including asthma and impaired lung development in children.

Particulate matter (PM), including fine particles from diesel exhaust and tyre, brake, and road wear, poses a serious health threat. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing lung irritation and increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections. Additionally, exposure to vehicle emissions is inequitable, disproportionately affecting Latinos, Blacks, and lower-income households.

To address these issues, transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, such as electric cars, and implementing infrastructure improvements are crucial. Electric vehicles produce fewer harmful emissions over their lifetime, helping to reduce air pollution and improve health outcomes. Additionally, prioritizing electric vehicles through incentives, subsidies, and dedicated lanes can encourage their adoption and reduce the use of internal combustion engine vehicles.

Cars emit harmful gases and particles

In addition to carbon dioxide, vehicle emissions include toxic air pollutants like nitrogen oxides (NOx), which comprise nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NOx is produced by high temperatures in internal combustion engines burning nitrogen in the air. It contributes to environmental issues such as acid rain, water quality deterioration, soil and surface water acidification, and the formation of ground-level ozone (smog) and PM2.5, which are harmful to both health and the environment. Nitrogen dioxide exposure is linked to asthma, heart issues, impaired lung development, and respiratory problems.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including benzene, acetaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene, are emitted from cars and contribute to smog formation and various health issues. Carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas formed by fossil fuel combustion, is primarily emitted from cars and trucks. It poses a significant health risk by blocking oxygen from reaching vital organs like the brain and heart. Additionally, fine particulate matter, such as soot and dust from brake and tyre wear, can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing lung irritation and respiratory issues.

The production, operation, and disposal of cars contribute to pollution throughout their life cycle. During production, emissions are generated from collecting and transporting raw materials, and refining and distributing fuels. While electric vehicles (EVs) help reduce tailpipe pollution and global warming emissions, they face recycling challenges due to their large batteries, which contain hazardous materials. Overall, transportation emissions, particularly from cars, significantly impact air quality, public health, and the environment.

Cars produce pollution throughout their life cycle

The combustion of fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, releases harmful tailpipe emissions, including carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, benzene, formaldehyde, and hydrocarbons. These emissions contribute to global warming and climate change, with transportation accounting for around 30% of all heat-trapping gas emissions in the United States. Additionally, fine particulate matter in vehicle exhaust can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory issues and other adverse health effects.

Furthermore, the friction caused by brake pads, tyre wear, and even road wear releases particles that linger in the air and contribute to air pollution. The act of driving stirs up particles on the road, spreading them through the car's turbulence. The end-of-life stage of a car also has environmental implications, as plastics, toxic battery acids, and other products can remain in the environment. While recycling can help mitigate this impact, electric cars and those with large batteries are harder to recycle due to hazardous materials.

To reduce the pollution caused by cars, transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) can significantly lower harmful emissions over a vehicle's lifetime. However, it is important to note that the production of electric vehicles may have higher initial emissions compared to conventional cars. Overall, the adoption of clean vehicle technologies and alternative energy sources, such as renewable fuels, can play a crucial role in reducing the environmental and health impacts of car pollution throughout its life cycle.

Frequently asked questions