Bronte Wells
Gasoline is a highly toxic and flammable liquid that is used as fuel for cars, light trucks, motorcycles, small aircraft, boats, and other watercraft. Burning a gallon of gasoline produces about 8,887 grams (approximately 19 to 20 pounds) of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas. In addition to CO2, burning gasoline also releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons, all of which contribute to air pollution. To reduce pollution from gasoline use, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented various measures, including requiring emissions-control devices and cleaner-burning engines, banning leaded gasoline, and mandating the use of ultra-low sulfur gasoline. Despite these efforts, the transportation sector, including gasoline and diesel fuel consumption, remains a significant contributor to CO2 emissions, accounting for about 39% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions in 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight of carbon dioxide produced by burning one gallon of gasoline | 8,887 grams (approximately 20 pounds) |
| Average carbon dioxide emissions by a passenger vehicle per mile | 400 grams of CO2 |
| Average carbon dioxide emissions by a passenger vehicle per year | 4.6 metric tons of CO2 |
| Carbon dioxide emissions from burning one gallon of gasoline (without ethanol) | 19 pounds of CO2 |
| Percentage of total U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions from motor gasoline consumption in 2023 | 22% |
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What You'll Learn
- Burning a gallon of gasoline produces 19-20 pounds of carbon dioxide
- Gasoline leaks from pipelines, tanks, and gas stations contribute to air pollution
- Gasoline vapours and substances produced when burned also contribute to air pollution
- Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions but produce emissions during electricity production
- The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required cleaner-burning gasoline to reduce air pollution
Burning a gallon of gasoline produces 19-20 pounds of carbon dioxide
In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), automobiles using gasoline produce methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the tailpipe. All vehicles can emit hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) from leaking air conditioners. For gasoline vehicles, HFC emissions are small in comparison to CO2, but they can be important because they have a higher global warming potential. Electric vehicles (EVs) also emit a small amount of GHGs due to air conditioner/HFC leakage.
The average passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This assumes the average gasoline vehicle on the road today has a fuel economy of about 22.2 miles per gallon and drives around 11,500 miles per year. This number can vary based on a vehicle's fuel, fuel economy, and the number of miles driven per year.
To put it into perspective, the average passenger vehicle emits about 400 grams of CO2 per mile. This means that a vehicle with a fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon will emit about 8,000 grams of CO2 per mile.
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Gasoline leaks from pipelines, tanks, and gas stations contribute to air pollution
Gasoline is a toxic and highly flammable liquid that poses a significant threat to the environment. When gasoline is burned, it releases carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons, all of which contribute to air pollution. Additionally, the vapours emitted during evaporation and the combustion of gasoline produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
Gasoline leaks from pipelines, tanks, and gas stations are a common occurrence and significantly contribute to air pollution. Gasoline leaks happen daily at gas stations when fuel drips from the nozzle onto the ground, and vapours escape from open gas tanks into the air. Leaks can also occur in pipelines and underground storage tanks, often going unnoticed until they cause significant damage. These leaks release toxic gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, leading to hazardous particulate air pollution.
Natural gas leaks from pipelines, primarily caused by corrosion, equipment malfunctions, and construction activities, have been identified as a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change. A study published in Risk Analysis revealed that gas leaks in one state could impact neighbouring states. For instance, Texas's frequent pipeline incidents have been linked to increased levels of PM2.5, a harmful form of fine particulate matter, in neighbouring Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Stringent environmental regulations have proven effective in reducing hazardous gas leaks and improving overall air quality. States like California, New York, and Massachusetts, with robust environmental standards and higher pollution control investments, have reported fewer leak incidents and positively impacted neighbouring regions. However, even states with stringent environmental regulations can be affected by the energy practices of their neighbours.
To address the issue of gasoline leaks and their impact on air pollution, regulatory bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have implemented measures such as requiring emissions-control devices and mandating cleaner-burning engines and reformulated gasoline. These efforts aim to reduce emissions from engines and fuels, thereby mitigating air pollution caused by gasoline leaks and combustion.
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Gasoline vapours and substances produced when burned also contribute to air pollution
Burning gasoline produces carbon dioxide (CO2), which is emitted from the tailpipes of vehicles. A typical passenger vehicle emits around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, and each gallon of burned gasoline creates approximately 8,887 grams of CO2. This is because, during combustion, the carbon and hydrogen in gasoline separate, with carbon combining with oxygen in the air to form CO2.
The Clean Air Act, first passed in 1970, aims to reduce air pollution in the United States. To meet the goals of this Act, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken several actions to reduce pollution from gasoline use, including requiring emissions-control devices and cleaner-burning engines. Catalytic converters, for instance, were introduced in 1976 to reduce toxic air pollutants, leading to the phase-out of leaded gasoline by 1996. Reformulated gasoline, introduced in 1995, helped reduce air pollution in areas with high ground-level ozone pollution.
Additionally, ultra-low sulfur gasoline has been mandated since 2017, significantly reducing emissions from old and new vehicles. The use of Methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), a toxic chemical added to gasoline to improve its combustion, has also been discontinued. While MTBE enhances combustion, it has been replaced by ethanol, a non-toxic alternative. These measures have helped reduce air pollution and encouraged the development of alternative fuels and energy sources, such as solar, wind, water, and geothermal energy, which offer cleaner and more sustainable options for the future.
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Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions but produce emissions during electricity production
Burning a gallon of gasoline produces about 8,887 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2), which equates to approximately 20 pounds. In addition to CO2, gasoline-powered vehicles emit methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the tailpipe.
Electric vehicles (EVs), on the other hand, have zero tailpipe emissions. However, emissions are generated during the production and distribution of the electricity used to power these vehicles. The amount of carbon pollution created during electricity generation depends on the energy source. For instance, coal and natural gas result in carbon pollution, while renewable sources like wind and solar power do not.
While EV battery production can create more carbon pollution than manufacturing a gasoline car due to the additional energy required, the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with an EV over its lifetime are typically lower. This is because EVs have zero tailpipe emissions and generally produce fewer GHGs during operation.
The EPA and DOE's Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator can estimate the GHG emissions associated with charging and driving an EV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in a specific region. In countries like Norway and France, where most electricity comes from near-zero carbon sources, the lifecycle emissions for electric vehicles are significantly reduced.
It's worth noting that the emissions associated with EV battery production can vary widely, with different studies yielding contrasting results. Producing batteries in regions with low-carbon electricity or using renewable energy can significantly reduce battery emissions.
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The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required cleaner-burning gasoline to reduce air pollution
Burning one gallon of gasoline produces about 8,887 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2). In addition to CO2, automobiles using gasoline produce methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the tailpipe, and all vehicles can emit hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) from leaking air conditioners.
The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 were proposed by President Bush in June 1989 to address three major threats to the nation's environment and the health of millions of Americans: acid rain, urban air pollution, and toxic air emissions. The Amendments added rules for a "nonroad" engine program, which expanded EPA regulation to locomotives, heavy equipment and small equipment engines fueled by diesel, gas and other fuels, and marine transport. They also established new auto gasoline reformulation requirements, set Reid vapour pressure (RVP) standards to control evaporative emissions from gasoline, and mandated new gasoline formulations sold from May to September in many states.
The 1990 Amendments also included a requirement for the Department of Labor to issue a "process safety standard" in collaboration with the EPA. The EPA was also required to create technology-based standards according to "maximum achievable control technology" (MACT). The Amendments built on the original 1970 CAA, which required the EPA to develop a list of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and develop national emissions standards for each of them.
Since the introduction of vehicle emissions regulations in 1965 and the subsequent amendments to the Clean Air Act, significant reductions in mobile source pollutants have been achieved. Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions have decreased by more than 80% since 1970, nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions have been reduced by over 50%, and particulate matter (PM) emissions have dropped by more than 90%. A 2011 study by the EPA estimated that by 2020, the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments would be costing the United States about $60 billion per year, while benefiting the country about $2 trillion per year in monetized health and lives saved.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning a gallon of gasoline produces about 8,887 grams or 19-20 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2). In addition to CO2, burning gasoline also produces methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and unburned hydrocarbons, all of which contribute to air pollution.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have no tailpipe emissions, but emissions are created during the production and distribution of the electricity used to fuel the vehicle. The amount of CO2 emitted depends on the region's electricity sources. If electricity is generated from coal, there may not be a significant reduction in CO2 emissions compared to gasoline engines.
Yes, the Clean Air Act and its amendments have implemented several measures to reduce air pollution from gasoline use. These include requiring emissions-control devices, banning leaded gasoline, and mandating cleaner-burning reformulated gasoline with lower sulfur content.
