Rajan Wilcox
Motor vehicles are a significant source of air pollution, with emissions contributing to global warming, climate change, and lung disease. To combat this, the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) was formed to promote cleaner fuels and vehicles, particularly in developing and transition countries. PCFV has successfully eliminated the use of leaded gasoline worldwide and is working to reduce sulfur content in fuels. They also advocate for the introduction of cleaner vehicles, such as those with innovative emission control technologies, and provide tools and training to help fleet managers assess the environmental impact of their fleets. This global effort, including the participation of the US EPA, aims to foster dialogue among stakeholders and governments to improve air quality and public health.
Characteristics and values of cleaner fuels for cars
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goal | To reduce air pollution from vehicles |
| Strategy | Promote the use of unleaded and low-sulfur fuels, and introduce cleaner vehicles |
| Global Partnership | Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) |
| Partners | 73 partners including EPA |
| Achievements | Elimination of leaded gasoline worldwide by 2021 |
| Toolkit | Toolkit for Clean Fleet Strategy Development for fleet managers |
| Training | Provided in Asia Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean |
| Focus Regions | Developing and transitional countries |
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What You'll Learn
Electric cars and emissions
Electric vehicles (EVs) produce zero tailpipe emissions and are a lower-emissions option than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). However, it is important to note that EVs do have some emissions associated with their use, particularly in the process of building and charging the vehicles.
EVs have no direct emissions, such as those produced by conventional vehicles through their tailpipes, evaporation from the fuel system, and during the fueling process. This means that in areas with relatively low-polluting energy sources for electricity generation, EVs have a significant life cycle emissions advantage over similar conventional vehicles running on gasoline or diesel.
However, when considering the well-to-wheel emissions, which include all emissions related to fuel production, processing, distribution, and use, EVs may still produce emissions. For example, electricity production at power plants can create carbon pollution, and there are additional emissions associated with the extraction, processing, and distribution of the primary energy sources used for electricity generation.
The emissions associated with EVs can vary depending on the local power generation mix. For example, using coal or natural gas for electricity generation will result in higher carbon pollution than using renewable resources like wind or solar. In geographic areas with higher-emissions electricity, such as those relying heavily on coal, the emissions advantage of EVs may not be as significant compared to conventional vehicles.
Despite the emissions associated with EV battery manufacturing and electricity generation, research shows that EVs are generally responsible for lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) than average new gasoline cars. This is because EVs are more energy-efficient, using a higher percentage of the energy from the battery and regenerative braking for propulsion compared to gasoline vehicles.
In summary, while EVs do have some emissions associated with their use, they generally produce lower emissions than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. The emissions advantage of EVs is expected to grow as more renewable energy sources are used for electricity generation.
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Low-sulfur fuels
Motor vehicles are one of the largest sources of air pollution, with emissions contributing to global warming and climate change. The introduction of low-sulfur fuels is a strategy to reduce the harmful effects of vehicle emissions.
The Global Strategy to Introduce Low Sulfur Fuels and Cleaner Diesel is a plan to transition all countries to low and ultra-low sulfur fuels and advanced diesel emissions standards by 2030. The strategy aims for all countries to reach low-sulfur fuels (50 ppm) by 2025 and for most countries to achieve 10 ppm fuels by 2030. This transition is expected to have significant environmental and health benefits, including the elimination of approximately 14 million metric tons of PM2.5 by 2050 and the prevention of up to 500,000 premature deaths annually.
In 2016, 36 countries adopted the Marrakech Communique, committing to enforcing diesel fuel quality and tailpipe emissions standards for on-road light and heavy-duty vehicles. These countries account for about one-third of new heavy-duty vehicle sales worldwide.
Additionally, the IMO2020 fuel oil sulphur limit regulation, prescribed in the MARPOL Convention, has significantly reduced the sulphur content of ships' fuel oil. This regulation has resulted in a 70% reduction in total sulphur oxide emissions from shipping, leading to cleaner air in ports and coastal areas. Ships can now use fuels with low or zero sulphur content, such as liquefied natural gas or biofuels, and some ships have installed exhaust gas cleaning systems ("scrubbers") to limit air pollutants.
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Unleaded fuels
Unleaded fuel is a type of petrol that does not contain ethyl lead, a chemical compound that was commonly added to petrol to improve its performance. Unleaded fuel has been introduced to reduce air pollution and its associated negative impacts on human health.
In the 1980s, the global phase-out of leaded petrol began, with unleaded petrol being introduced in Europe in 1985. By 1997, unleaded petrol accounted for 75% of the market, and by 2005, it had achieved a complete phase-out. This transition was facilitated by organisations like the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV), which was established in 2002 and now includes 73 partners. The PCFV has been instrumental in eliminating the use of leaded petrol worldwide, with its efforts resulting in economic benefits and improved health outcomes, particularly for children.
Unleaded petrol is often mixed with bioethanol to enhance its environmental credentials. The introduction of E10 petrol, which contains 10% ethanol, has led to some older cars requiring super-unleaded petrol, which is still E5. Super-unleaded petrol is a premium fuel with a higher Research Octane Number (RON), typically between 97 and 99 RON. This higher RON means that super-unleaded petrol can withstand higher pressure before igniting, resulting in more efficient burning and increased power in certain engines.
The use of premium unleaded fuels with detergent and additive packages is also marketed as beneficial for maintaining engine cleanliness and performance. These additives are designed to keep the engine's intake system, injectors, and valves free from carbon build-up, thereby maintaining the engine's defined air-to-fuel ratios. However, the effectiveness of these premium fuels in cleaning engines has been debated, with some questioning whether they are truly necessary.
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Global air pollution
Motor vehicles are a major contributor to global air pollution. The burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline and diesel releases nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter directly into the air. These emissions have been linked to negative impacts on human health, especially over long periods or in high concentrations. The pollutants emitted from cars are believed to cause cancer and contribute to asthma, heart disease, birth defects, and eye irritation.
In highly populated areas, vehicle emissions can make the air unhealthy to breathe, increasing healthcare costs due to lung disease. The production of electricity by coal-fired power plants and other sources can cause more pollution than most cars, but vehicles still play a significant role in air pollution, especially in urban areas and near major highways. The percentage of air pollution caused by cars is expected to increase as urbanization expands and creates more traffic congestion near homes and workplaces. More than half of the global population lived in cities in 2018, and this number is projected to rise to two-thirds by 2050.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), motor vehicles produced about 22% of total US greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, making them the most significant contributor to the country's emissions. The EPA also estimates that vehicles cause nearly 75% of carbon monoxide pollution in the US, and transportation causes nearly 27% of greenhouse gas emissions. The Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks estimated that mobile sources, including transportation, accounted for 32% of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the US in 2019.
To combat this issue, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. EVs produce fewer emissions and do not emit any tailpipe emissions, only water vapour in the case of hydrogen fuel cells. A 2020 study across 59 regions found that driving an electric car is better for the environment than a gasoline-powered car in 95% of the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when most people were staying at home and off the roads, global carbon dioxide emissions temporarily decreased by as much as 26% in some parts of the world and 17% overall. This provides further evidence of the environmental benefits of reducing car usage and emissions.
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Health impacts of vehicle emissions
Motor vehicles are a leading source of air pollutants that negatively impact human health. Vehicle emissions contribute to ambient levels of air toxics known or suspected to be human or animal carcinogens. These air toxics include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or hydrocarbons (HCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). Exposure to these pollutants can cause a range of health issues, including respiratory problems such as aggravated asthma, reduced lung capacity, and an increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis. Scientific studies have also linked particulate matter inhalation to asthma, chronic bronchitis, and heart attacks. Diesel exhaust is of particular concern as it is likely to cause lung cancer.
The health impacts of vehicle emissions are not limited to respiratory issues. Studies have shown that emissions contribute to risks of morbidity and mortality for drivers, commuters, and individuals living near roadways. These risks are heightened for those living near major roadways with high traffic volume, as levels of traffic-related air pollution are higher in these areas. Additionally, recurring congestion can result in repeated and chronic exposures to air pollutants, increasing long-term health risks. "Incident congestion," such as that caused by accidents or disabled vehicles, can also lead to acute health outcomes such as asthma exacerbation.
The impact of vehicle emissions on health varies depending on geographical location and socio-economic status. For example, a study in New York City (NYC) found that high-poverty neighborhoods experienced a larger share of the exposure and health burden from PM2.5 emissions when compared to low-poverty neighborhoods. Similarly, a global study found that the number of transportation-attributable deaths per 100,000 population in London and Paris were approximately 2 to 3 times higher than the global average.
Transportation agencies and local jurisdictions can play a crucial role in reducing traffic-related air pollution and improving air quality. This can be achieved by developing cleaner travel options, such as expanding public transportation, encouraging active commuting (bicycling or walking), and reducing the average distance traveled by private vehicles. Additionally, implementing vehicle emission standards and accelerating the replacement of high-emitting vehicles can significantly reduce the health impacts of vehicle emissions.
The health impacts of vehicle emissions are far-reaching and significant. By understanding the negative consequences on human health, individuals, communities, and policymakers can work towards reducing emissions, improving air quality, and ultimately enhancing public health and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
The Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) is a global partnership that works with developing and transitional countries to reduce air pollution from vehicles by promoting the use of cleaner fuels and vehicles. The PCFV helped to achieve the elimination of leaded gasoline worldwide by 2021.
Cleaner fuels include those with low sulfur content and unleaded fuels. The US, for example, uses 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel, whereas some developing countries offer fuels with a much higher sulfur content.
Motor vehicles are one of the largest sources of air pollution. Emissions from gasoline and diesel engines contribute to global warming and climate change, as well as causing air pollution that is harmful to human health.
The PCFV has developed a Toolkit for Clean Fleet Strategy Development to assist vehicle fleet managers in evaluating the environmental and health impacts of their fleets. The toolkit also helps them to develop cost-effective strategies for improvement.
