Electrification of Road Transport and the Impacts on Air Quality and Health in the UK

Abstract

Currently, many cities in Europe are affected by concentrations of PM2.5 and NO2 above the WHO guidelines on the protection of human health. This is a global problem in which the growth of road transport constitutes a major factor. Looking to the future, electric vehicles (EVs) are considered to be the choice technology for reducing road transport greenhouse gas emissions, but their impact on air quality needs to be considered. Taking the UK as a case study, this paper begins by understanding the trajectory of a future scenario without the introduction of EVs, reflecting on the latest emission control improvements in internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). This is then compared to a 2050 scenario in which the introduction of EVs, based on the UK government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, is reviewed. This plan includes a ban on the sale of ICEV cars and LGVs, beginning in 2030, with the subsequent electrification of heavier vehicles. By 2030, population exposure to NOx was found to be significantly reduced in the ICEV scenario, with a marginal further reduction found for the EV scenario. The EV scenario further reduced NOx exposure by 2050, with most of the benefits being realized before 2040. For the ICEV and EV scenario, PM2.5 emissions were largely unchanged due to the primary contribution of non-exhaust emissions, suggesting that EVs are likely to yield relatively smaller changes in exposure to PM2.5 than for NOx.

Emission from Internal Combustion Engines and Battery Electric Vehicles: Case Study for Poland

“…Recent efforts to reduce air pollutant emissions from ICEVs (internal combustion engine vehicles) are essential to the attention that needs to be given to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from road transport. Improvements in exhaust emission control technologies introduced by each new Euro standard in Europe, including Poland, significantly reduced NO x (nitrogen oxides) and PM (particulate matter) emissions from the rise in the 1990s [5,6]. Despite these reductions, emissions from Euro 5 and 6 diesel PCs (passenger cars) and ICELDVs (light commercial vehicles) remained well above the regulated NO x limit under real conditions [5][6][7][8].…”

“…Improvements in exhaust emission control technologies introduced by each new Euro standard in Europe, including Poland, significantly reduced NO x (nitrogen oxides) and PM (particulate matter) emissions from the rise in the 1990s [5,6]. Despite these reductions, emissions from Euro 5 and 6 diesel PCs (passenger cars) and ICELDVs (light commercial vehicles) remained well above the regulated NO x limit under real conditions [5][6][7][8]. However, the latest Euro standards are based on an RDE (Real Driving Test), resulting in manufacturers introducing previously available and effective NO x control technologies to new diesel vehicles.…”

“…This urgent need to tackle air pollution is also evident in efforts to mitigate climate change, with attention recently focused on achieving net 'zero' greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 [5] through the implementation of fit55. The assumptions of the European Green Deal and the pursuit of climate neutrality influence the development of BEVs.…”

“…Non-exhaust emissions have been identified as a key factor for PM in the environment as the tailpipe emissions standards for ICEVs become more stringent [13,18,19]. Emissions without exhaust gases, particulate matter emissions resulting from abrasion of brakes, tires, and road surfaces currently exceed exhaust emissions for PM 2.5 and PM 10 in Europe [5,20]. This is due to improvements in the exhaust system of control technology in ICEVs which has coincided with the growing interest in zero-emissions vehicles, i.e., BEVs.…”

Editorial for the Special Issue “Impacts of Transport Systems on Air Pollution and Human Health”

“…This global vision should apprehend all aspects without harming the economy, employment and people's way of life, and furthermore, should be more effective and should be shared through international networks. Regulations, the technological development of transportation systems and their management should meet the challenges of this ongoing energy transition [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”