Brian Barton
Cars are a major contributor to air pollution and the health consequences it causes worldwide. Every time you go for a drive, pollution is emitted directly into the air, which can cause significant risks to your health, especially if you live near busy roads. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact percentage of air pollution that comes from cars, it is known that the transportation sector is responsible for over 55% of NOx total emissions inventory in the US. In the UK, transport contributes to 28% of total CO2 emissions. Cars emit carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other toxic pollutants when fuel is burned. Additionally, older cars tend to be more polluting than newer ones, as their engines become less efficient over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of a typical passenger vehicle | 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from burning one gallon of fuel | 8,887 grams of CO2 |
| Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per mile | 400 grams of CO2 per mile |
| Other sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a vehicle | Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), and Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) from leaking air conditioners |
| Transportation sector's contribution to total CO2 emissions in the UK | 28% |
| Percentage of vehicles' contribution to air pollution | 55% of NOx total emissions inventory in the US |
| Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions in cities from motor vehicle exhaust | Up to 95% |
| Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions in California's transportation sector | 80% |
| Percentage of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions attributed to diesel vehicles in the US transportation sector | 60% |
| Percentage of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions reduction since 1993 | Petrol down 63%, diesel down 82% |
| Euro 5 emission standard | Reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other pollutants |
| Euro 6 emission standard | Current standard introduced in September 2014 for new type approvals |
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What You'll Learn
Carbon dioxide emissions
Cars are a major contributor to air pollution and the health consequences it causes worldwide. Every time you go for a drive, pollution is emitted directly into the air, which causes significant risks to your health and the environment. The car you purchase and how you drive can significantly affect your contribution to climate change.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the primary greenhouse gases emitted by cars. The average passenger vehicle emits about 400 grams of CO2 per mile, or about 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year. This assumes the average gasoline vehicle has a fuel economy of about 22.2 miles per gallon and drives around 11,500 miles per year. Every gallon of gasoline burned creates about 8,887 grams of CO2.
In addition to CO2, automobiles using gasoline also produce methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the tailpipe. All vehicles can emit hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) from leaking air conditioners. While HFC emissions from gasoline vehicles are small compared to CO2, they can have a more significant impact due to their higher global warming potential.
Electric cars generally have lower carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles. Most of the CO2 emitted by an electric car during its life cycle comes from the production process, particularly the manufacturing of the lithium-ion battery. However, electric cars can pollute less than other vehicles throughout their lifespan, as long as the battery does not need to be replaced. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that operate solely on electricity produce zero tailpipe emissions, but their overall emissions depend on how often they are charged and their battery capacity.
To reduce your carbon footprint, you can choose more ecological means of transportation, such as walking, using mechanical or electric bicycles, or taking public transportation. If you need to use a car, choosing the right vehicle, optimising its use, and maintaining it regularly can help limit its carbon emissions.
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Air pollution
Cars are a major contributor to air pollution and the health consequences it causes worldwide. Every time you drive, pollutants are emitted directly into the air, causing significant risks to your health and the environment. Air pollution refers to the presence of foreign substances in the air or excessive amounts of certain impurities that would not harm us otherwise.
When cars burn gasoline, they emit pollutants. The average passenger vehicle emits about 400 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile, or about 4.6 metric tons of CO2 per year. This assumes the average gasoline vehicle has a fuel economy of about 22.2 miles per gallon and drives around 11,500 miles per year. Every gallon of gasoline burned creates about 8,887 grams of 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.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is another pollutant emitted by cars when fuel is burned. Breathing air with a high concentration of CO affects critical organs like your heart and brain. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, up to 95% of all CO emissions in cities may come from motor vehicle exhaust. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is also formed when fuel burns and nitrogen and oxygen react to form nitrogen oxides (NOx). Breathing air with a high concentration of NO2 can affect the respiratory system. Diesel vehicles contribute 60% of NOx emissions in US transportation, and NOx causes environmental issues such as acid rain and deteriorated water quality.
While it is difficult to say exactly what percentage of air pollution comes from cars, the transportation sector is responsible for over 55% of NOx total emissions inventory in the US. In California, cars, trucks, and SUVs make up 70% of the transportation sector emissions. Older cars also tend to be more polluting, as their engines become less efficient over time.
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Euro emissions standards
The Euro emissions standards are a set of regulations that aim to limit the amount of CO2 emitted by cars and other vehicles. The standards are designed to become more stringent over time, reducing the environmental impact of exhaust pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM). The Euro standards are introduced approximately every four to five years to keep pace with technological advancements and the growing environmental needs of the planet.
The first EU-wide standard, Euro 1, was introduced in 1992, making catalytic converters compulsory on new cars and effectively standardising fuel injection. Since then, a series of Euro emissions standards have been implemented, with the current standard, Euro 6, being introduced in 2014. Euro 6 has undergone further revisions in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. The Euro 6 standard sets limits on emissions of CO, HC, and NOx for both petrol and diesel vehicles, with diesel vehicles having stricter requirements.
The Euro 7 standard, approved by EU countries in April 2024 and due to come into force in 2026, will maintain the same exhaust emission limits for cars and vans as Euro 6 but will introduce stricter controls on solid particle emissions, including non-exhaust emissions such as particulates from tyres and brakes. Euro 7 will also impose more stringent limits on pollutants from heavy goods vehicles, including nitrous oxide (N2O).
The Euro emissions standards have had a positive impact on reducing pollutant emissions from vehicles. According to the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), "It would take 50 new cars today to produce the same amount of pollutant emissions as one vehicle built in the 1970s." However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of these standards relies on accurate testing that reflects real-world driving conditions.
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Toxic exhaust emissions
Cars are a major contributor to air pollution and the health consequences it causes worldwide. Every time you go for a drive, pollution is emitted directly into the air, causing significant risks to your health, especially for those who live near busy roads.
Internal combustion engines have transformed personal mobility across the world, but this has come at a cost: emissions and harmful pollution. The vast number of petrol and diesel vehicles on the road—estimated at over 1.45 billion globally—have had widespread effects on the environment. They are a major contributor to air pollution in towns and cities, as well as global greenhouse gas emissions.
When cars burn gasoline, they emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), which is produced when fuel is burned. Breathing air with a high concentration of CO affects critical organs like your heart and brain. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, up to 95% of all CO emissions in cities may come from motor vehicle exhaust.
Another pollutant emitted from cars is nitrogen dioxide (NO2). This is formed when nitrogen and oxygen react with each other during combustion, creating nitrogen oxides (NOx). Breathing air with a high concentration of NO2 can affect the respiratory system. When hydrocarbons and NOx combine in sunlight, they produce ground-level ozone, which irritates the respiratory system, causing coughing, choking, and reduced lung capacity.
In addition to these gases, cars also emit particulate matter, which includes airborne particles of black soot and metal. Modern cars are fitted with diesel particulate filters (DPFs) to reduce the number of harmful particles being pumped into the atmosphere. However, older diesel vehicles, in particular, have been called out for the harmful particulate emissions they produce.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
Cars are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and finding ways to reduce our reliance on them is crucial for combating climate change. The transportation sector is responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, with road vehicles being the biggest contributor. According to the World Resources Institute, about 14% of annual greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector, and 72% of those emissions are from road vehicles.
When cars burn gasoline, they emit various pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Carbon monoxide is released when fuel is burned, and breathing air with high concentrations of CO can affect critical organs like the heart and brain. Nitrogen dioxide is formed when nitrogen and oxygen react during fuel combustion, and it can cause respiratory issues when inhaled.
In addition to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, automobiles using gasoline produce methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the tailpipe. All vehicles can also emit hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) from leaking air conditioners. While the emissions of HFCs from gasoline vehicles are relatively small compared to carbon dioxide, they have a higher global warming potential, making their impact significant.
Electric vehicles, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), offer a solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When operating solely on electricity, PHEVs do not generate any tailpipe emissions. However, when a PHEV operates on gasoline, it produces tailpipe emissions based on its gasoline fuel economy. The overall tailpipe emissions of a PHEV can vary depending on factors such as battery capacity, driving patterns, and charging frequency.
Cities around the world have taken initiatives to reduce car use and promote more sustainable modes of transportation. For example, London implemented a congestion pricing scheme in its inner city, resulting in a 16% reduction in road traffic-related carbon dioxide emissions. Similarly, Milan's congestion pricing program, Area C, led to a 35% decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. These efforts demonstrate the positive impact of reducing car dependence on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
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Frequently asked questions
To check the Euro emissions standard of your car, visit the official Vehicle Certification Agency website and enter the relevant details.
This depends on the age and type of your car. Older cars, especially those built in the 1970s, tend to be more polluting. Diesel engines, for example, produce more particulate matter (soot) than petrol engines.
You will see smoke billowing from your car's exhaust pipe.
When vehicles burn gasoline and diesel, the exhaust from the tailpipe contains toxic pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, and benzene.
Car emissions have been linked to global warming, air pollution, and health issues such as respiratory problems and cancer.
