DOE: despite 13% rise in VMT from 2002-2015, pollution down significantly
17 October 2017
Despite an increase in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) of 13% from 2002 to 2015 (the latest year for which data are available), the total amount of airborne pollutants emitted from highway vehicles has declined considerably, according to the US Department of Energy (DOE).
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| Source: DOE. Click to enlarge. |
Due to improvements in fuels and vehicle technologies, since 2002 highway emissions declined 65% for carbon monoxide (CO); 65% fir nitrogen oxides (NOx); 56% for volatile organic compounds (VOC), and 29% for particulate matter (PM).
In addition to the 13% increase in VMT, the size of the vehicle parc increased 12% as well.
Particulate matter emissions include both fine particle matter less than 10 microns (PM-10) and fine particle matter less than 2.5 microns (PM-2.5). The Environmental Protection Agency updated methodologies for transportation emissions in 2002, so data are not directly comparable to earlier years.
This good trend may be progressively reversed in 2017 and onwards with the arrival of more (SUVs + pick ups) heavy gas guzzlers unless more electrified vehicles are sold?
Posted by: HarveyD | 18 October 2017 at 07:09 AM
The vehicle fleet changes to electrification are known to need low emission power generation to have any effect.
The risk is less of these numbers reversing (though there are those in positions of influence that want or expect "the end of days" - that's deadly serious - in their lifetime) but lack of political will and action and the trend population increases will mean we can expect the outcome indicating a very uncomfortable future to become much more difficult.
Posted by: Arnold | 18 October 2017 at 04:42 PM
Of course the same f* n clowns who predict and preach 'end of days and abundance' theologies would deny climate modelling.
Posted by: Arnold | 18 October 2017 at 04:48 PM