As we all know that co2 emissions have been among the significant sources of changing the climate and leading to hazardous environmental effects. We all know that most vehicles produce dangerous carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
The greenhouse effect and air pollution are making society worse to live in, leading to a rise in average temperature everywhere in the globe. Because of these two factors, we must observe the carbon dioxide released by cars. As co2 emissions have been problematic to us, AIC Technology can help us in this regard to decreasing these emissions.
Have you ever been curious about the amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions from cars or whether or not electric cars are more environmentally friendly? If you want deep insights into the average co2 emissions per car per year and general car pollution facts, then you are at the right place. In this blog, we are going to tell you about how much co2 does a car emit per year? And how we can avoid it. So, let’s start.
What are vehicle emissions, and how are they calculated?
Many cities are trying to make a clean and sustainable future for their citizens. But we all know that achieving this goal will take much work. It will take a lot of effort to do so, especially in reducing CO2 emissions because it is the main reason for adverse effects on the environment and the health of humans.
Malaysia is also no different; if we talk about Kuala Lumpur. A city striving for sustainability by 2030 has a growing problem with air pollution due to idle traffic because of an over-reliance on cars and its geographical location in the Klang Valley.
Based on the latest data from Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL), 25,094,052 million tonnes of CO2 were released into Kuala Lumpur air in 2017. In the transport sector alone, 56% of the annual CO2 emissions come from 14 million tonnes (or 14 million tons a year), of which 99.4% come from on-road transportation. The fossil fuel vehicles in Kuala Lumpur produce 444 kg of CO2 per second. Nevertheless, these numbers and the invisible nature of these emissions tell us only so much. The combustion of fossil fuels to power all these journeys is a significant contributor to global warming and environmental pollution.
Carbon footprint calculations are more complex than just adding the number of gas gallons used. The less weight an automobile has, the less gas it will use when driving.
It would help if you keep these in mind:
- Automobiles with high levels of carbon dioxide emissions
- Emissions have been produced during the process of making diesel and gasoline in the past.
- Fuel combustion-related emissions, where applicable.
- Emissions are caused by the vehicle’s production processes and components.
- Consequently, irrespective of the kind of vehicle, the carbon footprint of cars has never been zero, especially in an electric automobile.
Facts about Carbon dioxide emission
The European Union has set a goal of reducing transportation-related emissions of greenhouse gasses by 90% from 1990 levels by 2050. Following the European Green Deal, it aims to cut CO2 emissions and become climate neutral by 2050. As per a study by the European Environment Agency, nearly a quarter of the EU’s total CO2 emissions in 2019 came from transportation, the majority of which (71.7%) came from road traffic.
Global Emissions of Carbon Dioxide
The transportation sector is accountable for about one-quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom. On the other hand, the European Union (EU) asserts that the use of automobiles is responsible for one-fifth of the bloc’s carbon dioxide from cars and that it’s the only sector for whom the emissions are growing.
Consequently, there are movements both in the United States and worldwide to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by vehicles. As an illustration, the United Kingdom and European Union have set a goal for 2021 of bringing the average CO2 emissions of all newly manufactured cars down to 95 grams per kilometer. It marks a 40% drop in automotive emissions from the average of 158.7g/km in 2007, which reached in 2007.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, carbon dioxide emissions from car travel account for more than a quarter of the total emissions from the country. They plan to reduce new vehicles’ pollutants by 6 billion metric tonnes of greenhouse gasses around 2025.
Emissions of Various Types of Carbon Dioxide from New Vehicles
Thanks to recent technological advancements:
- A new car has about twenty per cent fewer emissions than a typical vehicle on the road nowadays. This disparity was due to older vehicles’ inefficiency. In 2015, the average vehicle on the road emitted 153 g/km of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but a brand-new car only emitted 121.4 g/km.
- Compared to classic autos, AFVs (Alternative Fuel Vehicles) such as hybrids create around forty per cent less carbon monoxide.
- In addition, diesel automobiles create 20% less pollution than gasoline-powered ones.
Vehicles contribute a considerable percentage of environmental impact.
The transportation industry is responsible for around twenty per cent of all emissions in the EU.
The amount of carbon dioxide released from passenger transportation varies greatly depending on the mode of transport employed. Automobiles driven by private individuals are responsible for 61 per cent of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the European Union (EU).
In 2018, the average occupancy rate in Europe was slightly over 1.6 people per car. Increasing it via car sharing or converting to public transportation, bicycling, or walking might help reduce emissions.
Does the operation of an electric car result in fewer emissions than the operation of a gas-powered vehicle?
Alternate fuels and improvements to a vehicle’s fuel economy are feasible solutions for reducing the CO2 produced by automobiles. In 2019, diesel was used by 67% of cars in Europe, while gasoline was utilized by 25% of vehicles.
However, electric cars are gaining more and more popularity, and it is anticipated that by the year 2020, electric vehicles will represent 11% of all newly registered passenger vehicles.
Since 2017, electric car sales (including both battery EVs and plug-in PHEVs) have surged, and it is anticipated that they will increase twice by the year 2020 when the current CO2 rules take into force.
When 2020 rolled around, electric vehicles mainly composed 2.3% of the total number of new registration vans.
The total quantity of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by a vehicle includes the CO2 produced while driving and the CO2 made during manufacture and disposal.
The production of electric automobiles and their final disposal has become less environmentally friendly than cars powered by internal combustion engines. The pollution level produced by electric vehicles is proportional to the method by which the electricity is produced.
Nevertheless, when the average energy mix in Europe is considered, it has been shown that electric cars are currently more ecologically benign than gasoline-powered automobiles. Electric cars may become even more damaging to the environment as some of their power comes from renewable sources. It is because the European Union aims to make batteries more environmentally friendly.
How can you lower your car's carbon dioxide output?
Even if your automobile has a low official emissions rating, you and your car will benefit from treducing CO2 output. Improved performance, fuel efficiency, and less impact on the natural world are all possible benefits.
The following are some of the most crucial things you can do to lower your car's CO2 emissions:
- Replace standard gas with premium;
- It’s a good idea to clean the gasoline tank periodically;
- Alter the oil;
- Swap out the filter;
- Maintain proper tire pressure with regular checks;
- You should turn off the air conditioner when it’s not needed;
- Eliminate luggage racks unless required;
- You shouldn’t leave the car running idly; turn it off whenever possible.
- Avoid accelerating too rapidly or wildly, and drive with caution instead.
Conclusion
How much CO2 does a car emit? It is expected that after reading this blog, you will get familiar enough with the average co2 emissions per car in a year. It would be exciting to see whether the drop in pollutants will continue in the upcoming years once the targets for 2021 have been established. It is because the drive for efficiency and new industrial processes will continue.
Furthermore, unless people limit their use of vehicles, any decreases in carbon emissions may be exceeded by the rise in car usage (a 7% increase between 2000 and 2015). It is the case unless individuals choose to reduce their use of automobiles. Smart electric cars are often seen as the mobility of the future because of their potential to reduce air pollution in urban areas. Intelligent and interconnected, they adapt to our way of life while satisfying emerging societal and ecological demands.