Emissions, Ozone and Power

Studies find global COVID-19 lockdowns have significantly reduced PM2.5 and NO2 pollution, but ozone up

Green Car Congress

MAY 12, 2020

Levels of two major air pollutants have been reduced significantly since lockdowns began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a secondary pollutant—ground-level ozone—has increased in China, according to new research. Maybe this unintended experiment could be used to understand better the emission regulations.

Ozone

Ozone Pollution Global Iran

Study finds COVID-19 lockdown in China brought only slight reduction in PM2.5 and ozone

Green Car Congress

JULY 29, 2020

Large improvements of air quality in China during the lockdown have been widely reported, but new research shows that two pollutants harmful to human health—fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and ozone—were only slightly reduced. and ozone were only slightly reduced or barely affected.

Ozone

Ozone China Pollution 2020

Harvard/Nanjing study: China’s war on PM2.5 pollution is causing more severe ozone pollution

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 3, 2019

In early 2013, the Chinese government declared a war on air pollution and began instituting stringent policies to regulate the emissions of PM 2.5. Cities restricted the number of cars on the road, coal-fired power plants reduced emissions or were shuttered and replaced with natural gas. Over the course of five years, PM 2.5

Ozone

Ozone Pollution China Chinese

UK researchers report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid are major unreported source of VOCs emissions from cars, including EVs

Green Car Congress

JUNE 8, 2023

In a recent open-access paper published in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology , researchers from the University of York report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid account for a larger fraction of real-world vehicle emissions than previous estimates have suggested. Cliff et al. —Cliff et al.

Emissions

Emissions Exhaust Cars Ozone

TOAR shows present-day global ozone distribution and trends relevant to health; public database

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Ozone levels across much of North America and Europe dropped significantly between 2000 and 2014. People living in parts of southern Europe, South Korea and southern Japan and China also experienced more than 15 days a year of ozone levels above 70 ppb. Trends in daily maximum ozone levels (known as 4MDA8) at urban and non-urban sites.

Ozone

Ozone Global North America Colorado

GM Spring Hill to run on 100% solar power by 2022

Green Car Congress

MAY 15, 2020

General Motors expects its Spring Hill Manufacturing plant will be powered by 100% solar energy beginning in late 2022. GM is ranked 12 on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s National Top 100 List of the largest green power users from their Green Power Partnership program.

Solar

Solar GM Power Powered

Study quantifies impact of oil and gas emissions on Denver’s ozone problem

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 12, 2016

The first peer-reviewed study to directly quantify how emissions from oil and natural gas (O&NG) activities influence summertime tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) pollution in the Colorado Front Range confirms that chemical vapors from oil and gas activities are a significant contributor to the region’s chronic ozone problem.

Ozone

Ozone Oil Gas Emissions

Satellite data show resurgence in NO2 emissions over China

Green Car Congress

MARCH 20, 2020

Data from the ESA’s Tropomi (TROPOspheric Monitoring) instrument on board the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite shows the variation of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) emissions over China from December to March. The drop in emissions also coincided with Lunar New Year celebrations, which usually sees a similar drop in emissions each year.

Emissions

Emissions China Chinese Pollution

MIT study: half of US deaths related to air pollution are linked to out-of-state emissions

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 15, 2020

More than half of all air-quality-related early deaths in the United States are a result of emissions originating outside of the state in which those deaths occur, MIT researchers report in a paper in the journal Nature. Electric power generation is the greatest contributor to out-of-state pollution-related deaths, the findings suggest.

MIT

MIT Pollution Emissions 2005

Satellite method provides insight into ozone-NOx-VOCs sensitivity for different locations

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 7, 2017

Ozone pollution near Earth’s surface is one of the main ingredients of summertime smog. It is also not directly measurable from space due to the abundance of ozone higher in the atmosphere, which obscures measurements of surface ozone. —Jin et al.

Ozone

Ozone Insight Netherlands North America

MIT study says combustion emissions cause ~200,000 premature deaths/year in US; vehicles and power generation top sources

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 29, 2013

Annual average concentrations of fine particulates from US sources of combustion emissions from (a) electric power generation; (b) industry; (c) commercial and residential sources; (d) road transportation; (e) marine transportation; (f) rail transportation; (g) sum of all combustion sources; (h) all sources. Source: MIT. related and ?2,000

MIT

MIT Emissions Ozone Power

EPA proposes tightening primary ozone standards to range of 65-70 ppb; final rule by October 2015

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 26, 2014

Counties where measured ozone is above proposed range of standards, based on 2011-2013 monitoring data. Earlier this year, EPA staff had recommended the further reduction of this primary ozone standard from the current 75 ppb (parts per billion) to a revised level within the range of 70 ppb to 60 ppb—and preferably below 70 ppb.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards 2015

MIT team proposes SCR emission control for hybrid aviation turbines; reducing NOx by 95%

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 15, 2021

At cruising altitude, airplanes emit a steady stream of NO x into the atmosphere, where the chemicals can linger to produce ozone and fine particulates. Now, MIT engineers are proposing using an ammonia-based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that could result in an approximately 95% reduction in NO x emissions in exchange for a ~0.5%

MIT

MIT Emissions Hybrid Gas-Electric

Eaton introduces set of products to reduce vapor emissions during refueling; LEV III regulations

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 14, 2021

Power management company Eaton has introduced a complete suite of solutions from its Vehicle Group to reduce vapor emissions produced during the refueling of gasoline-powered vehicles. If fuel vapor is released into the atmosphere, it contributes to a category of pollutants known as evaporative emissions.

Eaton

Eaton Emissions Gasoline-Electric Production

EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 1, 2015

issued its final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (ppb) from 75 ppb to protect public health. Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the air. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards District of Columbia

Airborne measurements show ozone-forming VOCs emissions from ethanol plant higher than government estimates

Green Car Congress

MAY 5, 2015

New airborne measurements downwind from an Archer Daniels Midland fuel ethanol plant in Decatur, Illinois, show that ethanol emissions are 30 times higher than government baseline estimates. VOCs and nitrogen oxides react with sunlight to form ground-level ozone, the main component of smog. That is where this study fits in.

Ozone

Ozone Emissions Colorado Coal

Study finds rising temperatures increase risk of unhealthy ozone levels absent sharp cuts in precursors

Green Car Congress

MAY 5, 2014

Ozone pollution across the continental United States will become far more difficult to keep in check as temperatures rise, according to new work led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Ozone formation. Scenario A2 and RCP 8.5. The RCP 8.5

Ozone

Ozone Climate Change Pollution Climate

Hyundai Motor puts XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks into commercial fleet operation in California with $3.5M from EPA

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

EPA’s TAG program aims to reduce air pollution in areas of the nation with the highest levels of ambient ozone and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) pollution. Last year, Hyundai Motor also announced its NorCal Zero project, also known as Zero-Emission Regional Truck Operations with Fuel Cell Electric Trucks. Earlier post.)

Hyundai

Hyundai EPA California Commercial

Texas study finds PHEV use could increase ozone at night, decrease ozone during the day

Green Car Congress

APRIL 22, 2011

A study by researchers at the University of Texas found that in general, use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) can lead to an increase in ozone during nighttime hours (due to decreased scavenging from both vehicles and EGU stacks) and a decrease in ozone during daytime hours. The results are less clear in Dallas and Houston.

Ozone

Ozone PHEV Texas San Antonio

EPA proposes stringent new emissions standards for light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles for MY 2027 and beyond

Green Car Congress

APRIL 13, 2023

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two new proposed federal emissions standards spanning light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for model year 2027 and beyond. Together, the proposals would reduce oil imports by approximately 20 billion barrels.

EPA

EPA Light Standards Emissions

Study finds global emissions of ethane and propane underestimated by more than 50%

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 27, 2018

When ethane and propane—the most abundant non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) in the atmosphere—mix with nitrogen oxides from vehicles and power plants they form tropospheric ozone—a key component of smog and directly linked to increases in mortality. —Dalsøren et al.

Emissions

Emissions Global Ozone 2011

California 2017 GHG inventory shows 1.2% total drop from 2016; transportation sector emissions up 1%

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 14, 2019

The California Air Resources Board’s latest state inventory of greenhouse gas emissions shows that California’s GHG emissions continue to decrease. Trends in California GHG Emissions. Changes in emissions by Scoping Plan sector between 2000 and 2017. Emissions are organized by the categories in the AB 32 Scoping Plan.

2017

2017 2016 Transportation Emissions

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

In a statement released this morning, President Barack Obama said he has requested that US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson withdraw the agency’s draft Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) rulemaking. Earlier post.) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

Ozone

Ozone Obama Standards EPA

Tohoku team finds swirling ammonia in combustion chambers can help reduce NO emissions

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 15, 2018

Researchers at Tohoku University in Japan have identified a way to reduce harmful NO emissions produced by ammonia fuel during combustion. The process involves swirling the gas with air as part of the power generation process. A paper on their work is published in the journal Combustion Theory and Modelling.

Emissions

Emissions Hydrogen Fuel Global

Study finds significant slowdown in decrease of NOx emissions in US; implications for air quality management

Green Car Congress

MAY 1, 2018

NO x emissions have not been decreasing as expected in recent years (2011–2015) when comparing top-down estimates from satellites and surface NO 2 measurements to the trends predicted from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s emission inventory data, according to a new study by an international team of researchers.

Emissions

Emissions Ozone Pollution EPA

MECA report finds additional NOx emission reductions from new heavy-duty trucks achievable and cost-effective

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

The transportation sector was responsible for over 7 million tons of NO x emissions in the US in 2014, with 50% of this sector’s NO x attributed to heavy-duty on- and off-road vehicles and equipment. NO x is a precursor for both ground level ozone and secondary PM 2.5 Source of data: US EPA (2019). Chart: MECA.

Emissions

Emissions Diesel Engine 2010

EPA Proposes New Tougher Ground-Level Ozone Standards

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 7, 2010

Counties projected to violate proposed Primary 8-hour Ground-Level Ozone Standards in 2020. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed the strictest standards to date for ground-level ozone. EPA is proposing an accelerated schedule for designating areas for the primary ozone standard. Source: EPA.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards Arlington

UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

Black carbon and tropospheric ozone are harmful air pollutants that also contribute to climate change. Reducing black carbon and tropospheric ozone now will slow the rate of climate change within the first half of this century, the study said. Click to enlarge. °C (within a likely range of 0.2-0.7

Ozone

Ozone Climate Carbon Climate Change

Northwestern/Princeton study explores air quality impacts of aggressive conversion to EVs

Green Car Congress

APRIL 15, 2019

Researchers from Northwestern University and Princeton University have explored the impact on US air quality from an aggressive conversion of internal combustion vehicles to battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs). NO x -vs.VOC-limited for O 3 , NH 3 -rich vs. NH 3 -poor for PM). coal, oil, natural gas, and biomass). —Schnell et al.

Conversion

Conversion Jordan Ozone Coal

US EPA to Reconsider National Ozone Standards

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will reconsider the 2008 primary and secondary ozone standards. In 2008, EPA established a new primary 8-hour standard for ozone of 0.075 parts per million (ppm), and a new secondary standard set at a form and level identical to the new primary standard. ppm standard, due to rounding.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Standards 2008

CARB fines Del Monte $2M for violations of OGV at Berth regulation

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 8, 2020

The At-Berth Regulation is a critical tool for CARB to cut harmful toxic diesel emissions from ships docked in California ports, and we hope this penalty will send a message that violators will pay a hefty price if they fail to comply. The goal of CARB’s At-Berth Regulation is to reduce diesel emissions from ocean-going vessels (OGVs).

Ozone

Ozone Fleet Mariner Pollution

Argonne researcher using hydrous ethanol as a dual fuel to lighten the carbon footprint of locomotives

Green Car Congress

APRIL 7, 2022

The first is the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), which aims to advance combustion engine technology and simultaneously reduce criteria emissions, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and ozone. Older locomotive engines generate a surprising amount of unwanted emissions.

Carbon

Carbon Fuel Ozone Engine

Researchers suggest that air quality tests need simplifying to help reduce dangerous emissions

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 26, 2019

New methods of testing and simulating air quality should be considered in order to help policy makers have a more accurate understanding of how emissions affect air pollution levels, new research suggests.

Emissions

Emissions El Paso Pollution Ozone

San José International deploys 10 Proterra electric buses in airport fleet

Green Car Congress

MAY 7, 2019

Funded in part by a $5-million zero-emissions grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, the electric buses replace the aging compressed natural gas bus fleet that has been operating at SJC since 2008. The electric bus fleet is anticipated to reduce ozone emissions by 1.1

Fleet

Fleet International Indianapolis Sacramento

FTA to award up to $24.9M to low- or no-emissions transit bus projects

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 10, 2014

million of Fiscal Year 2013 funds ( FTA-2014-001-TRI ) for the deployment of low- or no-emission (LoNo) transit buses. The program gives priority consideration to the deployment of buses with the lowest energy consumption and least harmful emissions, including direct carbon emissions. Of that amount, $21.6 7407(d)); or.

Emissions

Emissions Ozone Maintenance Hydrogen

Fast action on black carbon, ozone and methane could help limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees C

Green Car Congress

JUNE 15, 2011

Fast action on pollutants such as black carbon, ground-level ozone and methane may help limit near term global temperature rise and significantly increase the chances of keeping temperature rise below 2 °C (3.6 °F)—and emission reduction potential. for 2030 and beyond. Source: UNEP. Click to enlarge. °C (2.7 °F),

Ozone

Ozone Carbon Climate Change Global

UN report projects that increasing use of HFCs likely to have a significant climate impact by 2050; equivalent to current total annual emissions from transport

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 21, 2011

The decrease in CO 2 equivalent emissions of ODSs (ozone-depleting substances: CFCs, halons, HCFCs, and others) may be offset by the projected increase in their non-ozone depleting substitutes (HFCs) (lines designated as HFC scenarios). Climate and the Ozone Layer. Source: UNEP. Click to enlarge.

Climate

Climate Ozone Emissions Transportation

FCA recalls 850,000+ gasoline vehicles due to problem with catalytic converters

Green Car Congress

MARCH 14, 2019

Fiat-Chrysler of America (FCA) will recall more than 850,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars and SUVs due to a problem with their catalytic converters. NO x emissions in California are the most important contributor to ambient ozone and a key contributor to fine particulate matter pollution (PM 2.5

Convert

Convert Gasoline Ozone Dodge

Report: 4 of 10 Americans live with unhealthy air, and EVs can help

Baua Electric

MAY 6, 2024

Air pollution remains a major threat to the health of many Americans, but stricter emissions rules could help, according to the American Lung Association. ” But the organization is now pushing for stricter national limits on ozone pollution as well. Power-plant emissions remain an issue as well.

Ozone

Ozone Los Angeles Pollution EPA

UMD-led study finds China’s SO2 emissions down 75% since 2007, India’s up 50%; India may now be the top SO2 emitter

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 13, 2017

Although China and India remain the world’s largest consumers of coal, a new University of Maryland-led study found that China’s sulfur dioxide emissions fell by 75% since 2007, while India’s emissions increased by 50%. The rapid decrease of sulfur dioxide emissions in China far exceeds expectations and projections.

India

India 2007 Emissions Aura

Report argues advanced HD natural gas vehicles foundational for California to hit air and climate goals; near zero-emission potential

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 28, 2014

Five technology paths for very-low-NO x and GHG emissions from heavy-duty natural gas engines. The “Pathways to Near-Zero-Emission Natural Gas Heavy Duty Vehicles” report, authored by GNA on behalf of Southern California Gas Co. An 80% reduction of GHG emissions is targeted for 2050, relative to 1990 levels. Click to enlarge.

Climate

Climate Gas Emissions California

Study uncovers role of longer-chain unburned hydrocarbon emissions from diesels in London air pollution; calls for regulatory shift

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

The study found that 60% of the winter primary hydrocarbon hydroxyl radical reactivity in London is from those diesel-related hydrocarbons; the authors predicted that the longer-chain HCs contribute up to 50 % of the ozone production potential in London. the inventory emission estimation is consistent with the study’s observations.

London

London Pollution Diesel Emissions

BASF introduces EvapTrap automotive hydrocarbon trap for LEV III evaporative emissions compliance without backpressure increase

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 15, 2014

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has adopted new LEV III emissions regulations which go into effect in 2015, requiring automakers to further reduce evaporative emissions. The Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) standard under these regulations specifies near-zero evaporative emissions.

Emissions

Emissions Fuel Economy Ozone Conversion

Study: 25% EV adoption would save US $17B annually from avoided climate change & pollution damages

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 18, 2020

Vehicle electrification in the United States could prevent hundreds to thousands of premature deaths annually while reducing carbon emissions by hundreds of millions of tons. In the new study, Horton, Peters and their team looked at vehicle fleet and emissions data from 2014. Peters, D. Schnell, J. Kinney, P.

Climate Change

Climate Change Pollution Climate 2014

Studies find global COVID-19 lockdowns have significantly reduced PM2.5 and NO2 pollution, but ozone up

Study finds COVID-19 lockdown in China brought only slight reduction in PM2.5 and ozone

Harvard/Nanjing study: China’s war on PM2.5 pollution is causing more severe ozone pollution

UK researchers report that alcohols in windshield washer fluid are major unreported source of VOCs emissions from cars, including EVs

TOAR shows present-day global ozone distribution and trends relevant to health; public database

GM Spring Hill to run on 100% solar power by 2022

Study quantifies impact of oil and gas emissions on Denver’s ozone problem

Satellite data show resurgence in NO2 emissions over China

MIT study: half of US deaths related to air pollution are linked to out-of-state emissions

Satellite method provides insight into ozone-NOx-VOCs sensitivity for different locations

MIT study says combustion emissions cause ~200,000 premature deaths/year in US; vehicles and power generation top sources

EPA proposes tightening primary ozone standards to range of 65-70 ppb; final rule by October 2015

MIT team proposes SCR emission control for hybrid aviation turbines; reducing NOx by 95%

Eaton introduces set of products to reduce vapor emissions during refueling; LEV III regulations

EPA tightens ground-level ozone standard to 70 ppb

Airborne measurements show ozone-forming VOCs emissions from ethanol plant higher than government estimates

Study finds rising temperatures increase risk of unhealthy ozone levels absent sharp cuts in precursors

Hyundai Motor puts XCIENT Fuel Cell electric trucks into commercial fleet operation in California with $3.5M from EPA

Texas study finds PHEV use could increase ozone at night, decrease ozone during the day

EPA proposes stringent new emissions standards for light-, medium-, heavy-duty vehicles for MY 2027 and beyond

Study finds global emissions of ethane and propane underestimated by more than 50%

California 2017 GHG inventory shows 1.2% total drop from 2016; transportation sector emissions up 1%

Obama Administration withdraws proposed rulemaking on strengthened ozone standards

Tohoku team finds swirling ammonia in combustion chambers can help reduce NO emissions

Study finds significant slowdown in decrease of NOx emissions in US; implications for air quality management

MECA report finds additional NOx emission reductions from new heavy-duty trucks achievable and cost-effective

EPA Proposes New Tougher Ground-Level Ozone Standards

UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

Northwestern/Princeton study explores air quality impacts of aggressive conversion to EVs

US EPA to Reconsider National Ozone Standards

CARB fines Del Monte $2M for violations of OGV at Berth regulation

Argonne researcher using hydrous ethanol as a dual fuel to lighten the carbon footprint of locomotives

Researchers suggest that air quality tests need simplifying to help reduce dangerous emissions

San José International deploys 10 Proterra electric buses in airport fleet

FTA to award up to $24.9M to low- or no-emissions transit bus projects

Fast action on black carbon, ozone and methane could help limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees C

UN report projects that increasing use of HFCs likely to have a significant climate impact by 2050; equivalent to current total annual emissions from transport

FCA recalls 850,000+ gasoline vehicles due to problem with catalytic converters

Report: 4 of 10 Americans live with unhealthy air, and EVs can help

UMD-led study finds China’s SO2 emissions down 75% since 2007, India’s up 50%; India may now be the top SO2 emitter

Report argues advanced HD natural gas vehicles foundational for California to hit air and climate goals; near zero-emission potential

Study uncovers role of longer-chain unburned hydrocarbon emissions from diesels in London air pollution; calls for regulatory shift

BASF introduces EvapTrap automotive hydrocarbon trap for LEV III evaporative emissions compliance without backpressure increase

Study: 25% EV adoption would save US $17B annually from avoided climate change & pollution damages

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