Carbon, Emissions, Ozone and Vehicles

EPA proposes new heavy-duty truck emissions rules

Green Car Congress

MARCH 8, 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new, stronger standards to promote clean air and reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year (MY) 2027. This proposed rulemaking builds on and improves the existing emission control program for on-highway heavy-duty engines and vehicles.

EPA

EPA Emissions Ozone Pollution

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

HEI launches two new non-tailpipe particulate emission studies

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 8, 2023

The Health Effects Institute (HEI) has launched two new studies funded under RFA 21-1, Quantifying Real-World Impacts of Non-Tailpipe Particulate Matter Emissions. The new studies are: Improved Characterization of the Real-World Contributions and Impacts of Non-tailpipe Particulate Matter Emissions ,” led by Greg Evans, University of Toronto.

Emissions

Emissions Pollution Exhaust London

UCL-led study finds climate impact caused by growing space industry needs urgent mitigation

Green Car Congress

JUNE 26, 2022

The rapidly growing space industry may have a greater climate effect than the aviation industry and undo repair to the protective ozone layer if left unregulated, according to a new study led by UCL and published in the journal Earth’s Future as an open-access paper. The space industry is one of the world’s fastest growing sectors.

Climate

Climate Ozone Industrial Industry

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

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. The light-duty vehicle category includes passenger cars and light trucks consistent with previous EPA criteria pollutant and GHG rules.

EPA

EPA Light Standards Emissions

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

Reducing Black Carbon Emissions and Ground-Level Ozone Would Provide Immediate Benefit Against Climate Change

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 21, 2009

Reducing emissions of black carbon soot and ground-level ozone would quickly make a considerable dent in the climate change problem and would also contribute to public health and protect crop yields, according to an essay in the September/October issue of Foreign Affairs. Besides a danger to breathe, ozone lowers crop yields.

Climate Change

Climate Change Ozone Climate Carbon

Latest GHG Inventory shows California remains below 2020 emissions target; much steeper rate of GHG reductions required

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 23, 2020

California’s latest greenhouse gas data shows that while the state continues to stay below its 2020 target for emissions, there is much more work to do to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. California statewide GHG emissions dropped below the 2020 GHG Limit in 2016 and have remained below the 2020 GHG Limit since then.

2020

2020 California Emissions 2018

Study finds propane school buses significantly decrease NOx emissions compared to diesel

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 5, 2019

According to a study commissioned by the Washington, DC-based Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), NO x emissions measured from propane autogas school buses were substantially lower than those measured from diesel school buses. For the stop-and-go route, NO x emissions were 34 times higher for the diesel school bus.

West Virginia

West Virginia Diesel Emissions Virginia

Study: curbing diesel emissions could reduce mortality rates in big cities

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 1, 2019

Freight transportation is a pillar of the US national economy, but while long-haul trucks account for less than 6% of the vehicle miles traveled over US highways, they account for about 40% of the emissions of air polluting particulate matter and about 55% of nitrogen oxides, the precursor to ozone in the atmosphere, the study said.

Emissions

Emissions Diesel Ozone United States

Oregon EQC approves Clean Trucks Rule

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

The Oregon Environmental Quality Commission approved the Clean Trucks Rule, which adopts California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule and Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Omnibus rules (HD Omnibus) for Oregon. In Oregon, heavy-duty trucks and buses are responsible for nearly 23% of total transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions.

Oregon

Oregon Clean Cleaning Ozone

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

Study: surface ozone in India in 2005 damaged 6M tonnes of crops, enough to feed 94M people in poverty

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 4, 2014

Ozone, the main component of smog, is a plant-damaging pollutant formed by emissions from vehicles, cooking stoves and other sources. New research shows that ozone pollution damaged millions of tons of wheat, rice, soybean and cotton crops in India in 2005. Smog in India. Credit: Mark Danielson/Flickr.

Ozone

Ozone 2005 India Pollution

Study finds São Paulo switch from ethanol to gasoline dropped local ozone levels by 20%, increased CO and nitric oxide concentrations

Green Car Congress

APRIL 29, 2014

A study by a pair of researchers at Northwestern University found that when fuel prices drove residents of São Paulo, Brazil, to switch from ethanol to gasoline in their flexible-fuel vehicles, local ozone levels dropped 20%. At the same time, nitric oxide and carbon monoxide concentrations tended to go up.

Ozone

Ozone Gasoline Pollution Gasoline-Electric

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.

Ozone

Ozone PHEV Texas San Antonio

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. Click to enlarge.

MIT

MIT Emissions Ozone Power

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. Diesel particle filters for road and off-road vehicles.

Ozone

Ozone Carbon Climate Change Global

International study identifies 14 key measures to reduce methane and black carbon emissions; reduction in projected global mean warming of ~0.5 °C by 2050

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 13, 2012

A study by an international team of researchers, led by Drew Shindell of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York City, has identified 14 measures targeting methane and black carbon (BC) emissions that could reduce projected global mean warming ~0.5°C Their paper is published in the journal Science.

Carbon

Carbon Ozone Emissions International

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. while the carbon intensity of its economy declined by 4.5%. Trends in California GHG Emissions. Changes in emissions by Scoping Plan sector between 2000 and 2017.

2017

2017 2016 Transportation Emissions

New statistical method to detect ozone pollution hot spots and monitor instrument failure; combining PCA and MEWMA

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 13, 2016

A new statistical method developed by researchers at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia) can detect abnormal ozone levels within large bodies of monitored data. The monitoring methods can quickly and accurately detect ozone anomalies—localized spikes in ozone concentration indicated by sensor data.

Ozone

Ozone Saudi Arabia Pollution France

CARB releases results of multi-year E15 study; multiple air quality benefits with slight reduction in fuel economy

Green Car Congress

JULY 18, 2022

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released the results of a multiyear study evaluating exhaust emissions from the use of California Reformulated Gasoline (CaRFG) that contains 15 volume percent ethanol (E15). One hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) equipped with a PFI engine was also used. SULEV30, ULEV50, ULEV70, and ULEV125).

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Economy Fuel Ozone

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

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

USDOT FTA announces $182M in Low-No grants for transit vehicles & facilities nationwide

Green Car Congress

JUNE 29, 2021

The US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced approximately $182 million in funding for low- and no-emissions buses and the facilities that support them. The community seeks to reduce carbon monoxide pollution to improve air quality and quality of life in their EPA-designated non-attainment area.

Grant

Grant Kansas City Vehicles Chicago

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

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 18, 2020

A new study led by researchers from Northwestern University projects that if electric vehicles replaced 25% of combustion engine cars currently on the road, the United States would save approximately $17 billion annually by avoiding damages from climate change and air pollution. The open-access paper is published in AGU’s journal GeoHealth.

Climate Change

Climate Change Pollution Climate 2014

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

Embark and HP introduce EV drayage within autonomous truck operations

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

Adopting both long-haul autonomous trucks and EV drayage enables HP to remove up to 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants from its distribution network over the next ten years, according to preliminary research by Embark.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Ozone Pollution Phoenix

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). coal, oil, natural gas, and biomass). —Schnell et al. Seasons and times of day. Winter while PM 2.5

Conversion

Conversion Jordan Ozone Coal

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. —Dunmore et al. Dunmore et al. Dunmore et al.

London

London Pollution Diesel Emissions

EPA proposes approval of new ozone plans for the two of the worst Air Quality Zones in US: California’s San Joaquin Valley and South Coast

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

US EPA Region 9 8-hour ozone trends, 1979-2000. These State Implementation Plans (SIPs) are the roadmaps to meeting the 1997 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 0.08 In 1997, EPA first established the 8-hour ozone standard, which replaced the older 1-hour ozone standard (0.12 Source: EPA.

Ozone

Ozone EPA Pollution 2002

GISS study finds applying stricter non-CO2 vehicle emission standards worldwide would yield climate benefits in addition to major health and agricultural benefits

Green Car Congress

APRIL 4, 2011

Climate response to non-CO 2 vehicle emissions. vehicle emissions under the baseline scenario (a) and the difference between the tight-standard and baseline scenarios (b). However, these standards will not reduce CO 2 emissions, which is required to mitigate long-term climate change, the team notes. Shindell et al.

Climate

Climate Standards Emissions Climate Change

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

Using Ozone-Generated Bubbles to Remove Oil Sheen and Contaminants from Water

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 17, 2009

A University of Utah engineer has developed an inexpensive new method to remove oil sheen by repeatedly pressurizing and depressurizing ozone gas, creating microscopic bubbles that attack the oil so it can be removed by sand filters. The ozone in the bubble attacks certain pollutants because it is a strong oxidant.

Ozone

Ozone Water Oil-Sands Oil

EPA proposes new rules to reduce global warming HFC emissions from refrigerants

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 16, 2015

EPA has proposed a new to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning. EPA is also proposing numerous changes to the National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program. Prohibiting operation of systems normally containing 50+ lbs.

EPA

EPA Emissions Global Ozone

MIT study finds air quality co-benefits of US carbon policies can significantly offset costs, depending upon the policy

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 25, 2014

The human health benefits associated with improvements in air quality related to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions improvements can offset 26–1,050% of the cost of US carbon policies, depending upon the type of policy, according to a new study by a team from MIT. Carbon-reduction policies significantly improve air quality.

MIT

MIT Carbon Climate Climate Change

London and Paris launch car scoring initiative based on real-world emissions; ICCT the technical lead

Green Car Congress

MARCH 29, 2017

Mayor of Paris and Chair of C40 Cities Anne Hidalgo and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced they are working together to create schemes to score new cars based on their real-world emissions and their impact on air quality and to provide that data in an accurate and accessible form to the public. Earlier post.). Source: The ICCT.

London

London Emissions The Fia Foundation Pollution

California ARB moves forward with climate and air quality actions

Green Car Congress

MARCH 24, 2017

CARB approved the State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan ( State SIP Strategy ), which describes CARB’s commitment for further reducing vehicle emissions needed to meet federal air quality standards over the next 15 years. emissions by more than 20%.

Climate

Climate California Ozone Pollution

IPCC: GHG emissions accelerating despite mitigation efforts; major institutional and technological change required to keep the heat down

Green Car Congress

APRIL 13, 2014

Decomposition of the decadal change in total global CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion by four driving factors; population, income (GDP) per capita, energy intensity of GDP and carbon intensity of energy. giga tonne carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO 2 eq) (2.2%) per year from 2000 to 2010 compared to 0.4 Click to enlarge.

Emissions

Emissions Climate Change 2000 Climate

HEI study in Europe finds evidence of health effects at lower levels of air pollution

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

In the report, the investigators describe the development of new exposure models for all of Europe for four pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), black carbon (BC), nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), and ozone (O 3 ), as well as PM 2.5 particle composition. Brunekreef B, Strak M, Chen J, Andersen ZJ, Atkinson R, Bauwelinck M, et al.

Pollution

Pollution Europe Ozone Boston

Up close and personal with Volkswagen’s e-Golf carbon offset project: Garcia River Forest

Green Car Congress

JUNE 8, 2015

In 2014, Volkswagen of America announced that starting with the launch of the zero-tailpipe emissions battery-electric 2015 e-Golf ( earlier post ), it would invest in projects to offset the carbon emissions created from the e-Golf on a full lifecycle basis: production, distribution and up to approximately 36,000 miles (57,936 km) of driving.

Carbon

Carbon Personal Store Emissions

Why Schools Should Electrify Their Bus Fleets

Blink Charging

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

The transition away from gasoline and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) is going full throttle in the United States, and that includes the iconic yellow school bus. As it turns out, the very gasoline or diesel vehicles children use to go to school hamper their learning.

Fleet

Fleet Pollution Diesel Ozone

EPRI-NRDC report finds widespread vehicle electrification and a cleaner grid could lead to substantial cuts in GHG by 2050

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015

Widespread adoption of electric transportation, including electrification in the off-road sector, could lead to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and could modestly improve air quality, according to a new analysis released by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

EPRI

EPRI Cleaner Grid Vehicles

Volvo Trucks awarded $21.7M from US EPA and South Coast AQMD to deploy 70 Class 8 VNR Electric trucks

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 20, 2020

Combined with the other 25 truck deployments through the Volvo LIGHTS project, Volvo Trucks is committed to delivering nearly 100 VNR Electric trucks to the region for zero-emission freight transport. The 70 Volvo VNR Electric trucks deployed through this grant are anticipated to provide lifetime emission reduction benefits in excess of 152.63

Volvo

Volvo EPA Los Angeles Grant

EPA proposes new heavy-duty truck emissions rules

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

HEI launches two new non-tailpipe particulate emission studies

UCL-led study finds climate impact caused by growing space industry needs urgent mitigation

Satellite data show resurgence in NO2 emissions over China

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

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

Reducing Black Carbon Emissions and Ground-Level Ozone Would Provide Immediate Benefit Against Climate Change

Latest GHG Inventory shows California remains below 2020 emissions target; much steeper rate of GHG reductions required

Study finds propane school buses significantly decrease NOx emissions compared to diesel

Study: curbing diesel emissions could reduce mortality rates in big cities

Oregon EQC approves Clean Trucks Rule

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

Study: surface ozone in India in 2005 damaged 6M tonnes of crops, enough to feed 94M people in poverty

Study finds São Paulo switch from ethanol to gasoline dropped local ozone levels by 20%, increased CO and nitric oxide concentrations

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

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

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

International study identifies 14 key measures to reduce methane and black carbon emissions; reduction in projected global mean warming of ~0.5 °C by 2050

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

New statistical method to detect ozone pollution hot spots and monitor instrument failure; combining PCA and MEWMA

CARB releases results of multi-year E15 study; multiple air quality benefits with slight reduction in fuel economy

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

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

USDOT FTA announces $182M in Low-No grants for transit vehicles & facilities nationwide

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

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

Embark and HP introduce EV drayage within autonomous truck operations

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

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

EPA proposes approval of new ozone plans for the two of the worst Air Quality Zones in US: California’s San Joaquin Valley and South Coast

GISS study finds applying stricter non-CO2 vehicle emission standards worldwide would yield climate benefits in addition to major health and agricultural benefits

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

Using Ozone-Generated Bubbles to Remove Oil Sheen and Contaminants from Water

EPA proposes new rules to reduce global warming HFC emissions from refrigerants

MIT study finds air quality co-benefits of US carbon policies can significantly offset costs, depending upon the policy

London and Paris launch car scoring initiative based on real-world emissions; ICCT the technical lead

California ARB moves forward with climate and air quality actions

IPCC: GHG emissions accelerating despite mitigation efforts; major institutional and technological change required to keep the heat down

HEI study in Europe finds evidence of health effects at lower levels of air pollution

Up close and personal with Volkswagen’s e-Golf carbon offset project: Garcia River Forest

Why Schools Should Electrify Their Bus Fleets

EPRI-NRDC report finds widespread vehicle electrification and a cleaner grid could lead to substantial cuts in GHG by 2050

Volvo Trucks awarded $21.7M from US EPA and South Coast AQMD to deploy 70 Class 8 VNR Electric trucks

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