Aggregated toxicity of road vehicles as basis for future regulation in the field of atmospheric air protection

Abstract

This study presents ascertainment of priorities of automotive emission future state regulation based on analysis of the contribution of a comprehensive set of 64 known pollutants to aggregated toxicity of road vehicles with internal combustion engines powered by different fuels and electric vehicles as well. Aggregated mass emissions of pollutants are estimated for conventional ‘Euro-0’–‘Euro-6’ vehicles and electric vehicles on a unified basis. In-use mass emission of pollutants and its relative toxicities that are established based on a ratio of the maximum permissible concentration of carbon monoxide and interested pollutant in the atmosphere is considered. Wear debris of pneumatic tires, road surface, and brake pads are also included. It has been discovered that aggregated mass emissions of modern:—cars with gasoline engines are only four times higher than the in-use emissions of electric vehicles;—cars with diesel engines are twice as high as those of cars with gasoline engines;—diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles are only five times higher than the emissions of electric vehicles. The contribution of different types of contaminants to aggregated toxicity of road vehicles of different technologies is assessed. The results give essential substantiation and new ideas for future legislative regulation of emissions of various harmful substances by transport, also considering not yet regulated contaminants, and fuel quality standards as well. The results can also serve as the basis for an introduction of efficient and fair environmental labeling of vehicles that is directly proportional to the environmental damage in populated areas.