Reduce Vehicle Emissions Research Articles

The Status of Air Quality in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Remote Sensing Perspective

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has prompted global governments to take several measures to limit and contain the spread of the novel virus. In the United States (US), most states have imposed a partial to complete lockdown that has led to decreased traffic volumes and reduced vehicle emissions. In this study, we investigate the impacts of the pandemic-related lockdown on air quality in the US using remote sensing products for nitrogen dioxide tropospheric column (NO2), carbon monoxide atmospheric column (CO), tropospheric ozone column (O3), and aerosol optical depth (AOD). We focus on states with distinctive anomalies and high traffic volume, New York (NY), Illinois (IL), Florida (FL), Texas (TX), and California (CA). We evaluate the effectiveness of reduced traffic volume to improve air quality by comparing the significant reductions during the pandemic to the interannual variability (IAV) of a respective reference period for each pollutant. We also investigate and address the potential factors that might have contributed to changes in air quality during the pandemic. As a result of the lockdown and the significant reduction in traffic volume, there have been reductions in CO and NO2. These reductions were, in many instances, compensated by local emissions and, or affected by meteorological conditions. Ozone was reduced by varying magnitude in all cases related to the decrease or increase of NO2 concentrations, depending on ozone photochemical sensitivity. Regarding the policy impacts of this large-scale experiment, our results indicate that reduction of traffic volume during the pandemic was effective in improving air quality in regions where traffic is the main pollution source, such as in New York City and FL, while was not effective in reducing pollution events where other pollution sources dominate, such as in IL, TX and CA. Therefore, policies to reduce other emissions sources (e.g., industrial emissions) should also be considered, especially in places where the reduction in traffic volume was not effective in improving air quality (AQ).

Sustainable and Low-Cost Lithium-Ion Batteries: Nonconventional Electrode Chemistries and State of Health Characterization

With the advancements in portable electronics and electric vehicle (EV) applications, the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high energy densities is ever increasing. Battery-powered transportation is being adopted more frequently due to its potential to enable a more sustainable society by reducing vehicle emissions from fossil fuels. There has been exponential growth in the need for high-capacity LIBs in all types of EVs, including hybrid and full electric automobiles, e-bikes, and drones, as well as electric tools, cell phones, tablets, and, more recently, house storage; this growth significantly increases the consumption of source material commodities, especially cobalt. Despite its drop in price in the last couple of years due to increased mining, cobalt remains expensive, and its price increase has gained momentum again compared to other electrode materials due to higher demand. Moreover, its toxicity and difficult mining practices could result in many problems, including excessive carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide emission along with a possible much higher demand in the long term. This provides a strong motivation to explore alternatives to battery source materials. In this article, we present a selection of our important works on LIBs, with a focus on alternative electrode chemistries by using abundant and sustainable material sources. As alternatives to traditional graphite-based anodes, we demonstrate the successful use of both silicon electrodes derived from beach sand and waste glass and carbon electrodes derived from portobello mushroom and waste plastic precursors. In addition, we demonstrate stable cycling of batteries with nonconventional electrode chemistries, such as lithium-sulfur with TiO2-coated sulfur electrodes and sulfur-silicon full cell batteries with integrated lithium sources. Batteries prepared by sustainable methods not only perform better than conventional ones but also result in reduced costs. Since accurate determination of battery state of health is another important challenge, we further present our electrochemical impedance spectroscopy-based analysis of LIBs, which could potentially be utilized in safety evaluations of current and next-generation LIBs.

Variation in Concentration and Sources of Black Carbon in a Megacity of China During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Black carbon (BC) not only warms the atmosphere but also affects human health. The nationwide lockdown due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic led to a major reduction in human activity during the past 30 years. Here, the concentration of BC in the urban, urban‐industry, suburb, and rural areas of a megacity Hangzhou were monitored using a multiwavelength Aethalometer to estimate the impact of the COVID‐19 lockdown on BC emissions. The citywide BC decreased by 44% from 2.30 to 1.29 μg/m3 following the COVID‐19 lockdown period. The source apportionment based on the Aethalometer model shows that vehicle emission reduction responded to BC decline in the urban area and biomass burning in rural areas around the megacity had a regional contribution of BC. We highlight that the emission controls of vehicles in urban areas and biomass burning in rural areas should be more efficient in reducing BC in the megacity Hangzhou.

Factors affecting vehicle exhaust emissions, driver motivations as a mediator

Reducing the negative effects of vehicle emissions is one of the main priorities for governments worldwide. Comprehensive understanding of the costs and impacts associated with emissions would help government decision makers establish policies that allow their citizens to make decisions to reduce vehicle use externalities and maximize the overall benefits to government and society. Countries worldwide have pre-set goals regarding maximum average emissions. However, these goals are nearly impossible to realize without market interventions. Therefore, many governments have introduced taxes to guide people towards reducing vehicle emissions. The purpose of this study was to explore the mediating role of driver motivations in the effect of the following tax-related emission factors on vehicle exhaust emissions: (progressive engine size tax, progressive vehicle emissions tax, progressive vehicle age tax, and progressive vehicle kilometres travelled tax). The study used a quantitative approach of two questionnaires-one paper-based and one internet-based-to collect primary data. Smart PLS 3.2.7 was then used to analyse the data. The study found that the progressive taxes on engine size, vehicle age, and vehicle emissions, if imposed, will increase driver motivations to buy vehicles with smaller engines, replace or maintain old polluting vehicles, or fix vehicle emission problems. This study contributes to the literature by achieving its theoretical and practical objectives of providing a clear message to governmental practitioners and any related bodies that progressive taxes can increase driver motivations to reduce vehicle emissions.

Mosses as Bioindicators of Heavy Metal Air Pollution in the Lockdown Period Adopted to Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has had a great negative impact on human health and economies all over the world. To prevent the spread of infection in many countries, including the Russian Federation, public life was restricted. To assess the impact of the taken actions on air quality in the Moscow region, in June 2020, mosses Pleurosium shreberi were collected at 19 sites considered as polluted in the territory of the region based on the results of the previous moss surveys. The content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Pb in the moss samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The obtained values were compared with the data from the moss survey performed in June 2019 at the same sampling sites. Compared to 2019 data, the Cd content in moss samples decreased by 2–46%, while the iron content increased by 3–127%. The content of Cu, Ni, and Pb in mosses decreased at most sampling sites, except for the eastern part of the Moscow region, where a considerable number of engineering and metal processing plants operate. The stay-at-home order issued in the Moscow region resulted in a reduction of vehicle emissions affecting air quality, while the negative impact of the industrial sector remained at the level of 2019 or even increased.

Analysis of Emission Reduction Benefits of Electric Vehicles

The increasing environmental and energy issues have made the promotion and use of electric vehicles an important measure to respond to energy conservation and emission reduction. This paper considers two different types of electric vehicle emission reduction measures: the emission reduction achieved by electric vehicles instead of fuel locomotives and the total reduction of V2G(Vehicle-to-Grid) peak-shaving. On this basis, this paper uses the typical monetary value method of carbon emission to convert carbon emission reduction from weight to monetary level, which is more suitable for the assessment of energy transformation and benefit comparison. Finally, we verify the emission reduction potential of electric vehicles when the grid factor adopts the BM algorithm.

Affected area and residual period of London Congestion Charging scheme on road safety

The London congestion charging (LCC) scheme was first introduced in 2003. It did not only help alleviate traffic congestion and reduce vehicle emissions, but also had favorable safety effect. Western Extension of LCC was applied in 2007, but then removed in 2011. It was suggested that adjacent areas of the congestion charging zone could also be benefited. As well, the benefits would not disappear immediately after the removal of congestion charging scheme, which is known as residual effect. This paper attempts to examine the affected area and residual period of the safety benefits by the LCC scheme using the traffic and crash data from 352 Middle Super Output Areas (MSOAs) of London, with which the original LCC scheme was imposed in 24 MSOAs (‘treatment’ units for Analysis I), the Western Extension scheme was imposed in 27 MSOAs (‘treatment’ units for Analysis II), and no congestion charging was implemented at all in 301 MSOAs (‘control’ units for both Analysis I and II). Factors including traffic flow, land use, built environment and population demographics are considered. To eliminate the bias by the selection of treatment and control groups, Propensity Score matching (PSM) method is applied. Results indicate that favorable effect on safety is prevalent in the 1.5 km buffer area of LCC zone. On the other hand, for the residual effect, considerable crash reduction could be found in the first year after the removal of Western Extension of LCC. However, no evidence could be established for significant crash reduction in the second and third years after the removal. Findings should be indicative to the transport management policy that could improve the road safety in the Greater London in the long run.

Dependence of pollutant emission factors and fuel consumption on driving conditions and gasoline vehicle types

Vehicle types, technologies, and driving conditions are key factors affecting emission factors and fuel consumption. In this study, we measured the hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission factors, and fuel consumption of vehicles with a (1) carburetor (CVs), (2) multipoint injection technology and three-way catalyst (MTVs), and (3) multipoint injection technology, three-way catalyst, and exhaust gas recirculation device (MTEVs) under real driving conditions using an OBS-2200 portable emission measurement system. The results showed that both the distance- and fuel-based HC, CO, and NOx emission factors of CVs were 2.7–6.6 times higher than those of MTVs and MTEVs. The average incomplete fuel conversion rates (IFCRs) of CVs were 3.8 and 4.4 times higher than those of MTVs and MTEVs, respectively. The molar ratios of the CO/HC pollutants were 7.6, 5.6, and 2.8 for CVs, MTVs, and MTEVs. Furthermore, the correlation between the vehicle-specific power and fuel consumption rate was significant. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system could improve the fuel combustion efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions, particularly under high-speed and acceleration conditions.

The inharmonious mechanism of CO2, NOx, SO2, and PM2.5 electric vehicle emission reductions in Northern China

Beijing benefits from the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) in the improvement of road tailpipe emissions; these emissions are caused by internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) and reduce the surrounding environmental quality. When analyzing the electricity grid, upstream emissions of EVs in Beijing can be tracked back to Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. This study investigates the inharmonious mechanism of emission reduction to promote EVs in Beijing and Northern China based on 6 scenarios and 42 real EVs. Because there is a neighbor effect, Beijing only accounts for 34%, 34%, 41%, and 35% of the total CO2, NOx, SO2 and PM2.5 emissions, respectively. Although the local CO2, NOx, and PM2.5 emissions can be easily reduced (as long as the conversion of “coal to gas” plan is realized), it is difficult to achieve emission reductions of NOx and SO2 without increasing the clean electricity generation mix in Shanxi and Inner Mongolia at the total emission level. However, there is still a large reduction potential of EVs themselves due to an increasingly clean electricity mix in Beijing, Shanxi and Inner Mongolia. Beijing local CO2, NOx, SO2 and PM2.5 emissions can be reduced by 86.92%, 98.79%, 99.98% and 99.94%, respectively, and a total reduction of 78.43% of CO2, 93.83% of NOx, 97.85% of SO2 and 99.26% of PM2.5 emissions is possible. Compared with the corresponding ICEV, an EV of 18 kWh/100 km starts to reduce Beijing local CO2, NOx and PM2.5 emissions in scenario 1, 3 and 1, respectively, while the SO2 emissions cannot be reduced. However, the total CO2, NOx, SO2 and PM2.5 emissions can be reduced in scenario 2, 5, 5, and 1, respectively. A sensitivity analysis shows that the promotion of EVs can reduce Beijing local CO2, NOx, SO2 and PM2.5 emissions by 125.568–238.960 g/km, 0.059–0.113 g/km, −0.00003 - - 0.00007 g/km and 0.034–0.065 g/km, respectively. In addition, the total CO2, NOx, SO2 and PM2.5 reduction in emissions can be 132.883–253.757 g/km, 0.189–0.361 g/km, 0.299–0.569 g/km and 0.053–0.101 g/km, respectively.

Do citizens provide political rewards to firms engaging in voluntary environmental action?

Existing research offers a nuanced understanding of the conditions under which firms can gain a competitive advantage through environmental business conduct. However, we know quite little about whether such action can also generate benefits for firms induced by political action, such as benefits associated with public procurement, (softer) regulatory enforcement and corporate tax breaks. We argue that citizens are more likely to support such rewards for firms that have a stronger record of environmental business conduct, express stronger commitment to future environmental action and submit such action to independent audits. The empirical analysis focuses on vehicle emissions reduction by car producers and plastic waste reduction by retailers. Choice experiments with 6726 respondents from Germany and the United States support these arguments. Our findings are surprisingly consistent across two different sociocultural and political contexts (Germany, USA), two different environmental policy domains (vehicle emissions, plastic waste) and three forms of political rewards. Whereas studies focusing on narrowly defined economic benefits (competitiveness) of environmental business conduct have become somewhat more sceptical about the magnitude and scope of such benefits, our results provide more room for optimism by pointing to other types of benefits of corporate environmental action.

Impact of the Emission Control of Diesel Vehicles on Black Carbon (BC) Concentrations over China

In order to reduce black carbon (BC) emissions from diesel vehicles, a regional atmospheric chemistry model (WRF-Chem) was used to investigate the effects of installing a high-efficiency device for vehicle exhaust control, a diesel particulate filter (DPF), on diesel vehicles in China. To reduce the uncertainty of estimation, three sensitivity experiments were designed and conducted for different emission scenarios. The first experiment uses the standard black carbon emissions of diesel vehicles without engaging in any emission control actions (referred to as CTRL), and the other two experiments were conducted using different DPF devices to reduce BC emissions by 65% (CASE1) and 39% (CASE2), respectively. The results show that the model simulation reasonably represents the measured BC concentrations. The highest BC concentrations occurred in large cities of the North China Plain (NCP) and present important seasonal variations. The results suggest that the reduction in diesel vehicle emissions has great benefits for reducing BC pollution not only in winter but also in other seasons. Sensitivity studies show that in CASE1, the average BC concentrations decreased about ~6% in January and by more than 10% in the other seasons. The greatest reduction exceeded 50%. In CASE2, the average BC concentrations decreased by about ~3.5% in January and by more than 7% in the other seasons. This study suggests that adding DPF to a diesel vehicle can have a significant influence on reducing BC concentrations in China. Thus, this study provides a practical basis by which diesel vehicle emissions can be reduced.

The Hybrid Compression Moulding of Structural Composite Materials for Automotive Applications

The Innovate-UK-funded Composite Lightweight Automotive Suspension System (CLASS) project, led by Ford Motor Company and partnered by Gestamp UK, GRM Consulting and WMG, investigated the use of carbon fibre reinforced composite materials to decrease the weight of a complex automotive rear suspension component in support of reduction in vehicle emissions. A multi-material design comprising discontinuous fibre composite (C-SMC), aligned fibre composite laminate (prepreg) and steel was developed. A high volume hybrid compression moulding manufacturing process was developed at WMG, achieving total press cycle times of around 5 minutes. Prototype parts were manufactured and evaluated using materials characterisation techniques to validate the manufacturing methods. The optimum C-SMC charge pattern was investigated to achieve complete fill with minimal pre-processing. Destructive and nondestructive analysis of the hybrid parts was performed to understand resultant hybrid material macrostructure. This innovative design and manufacturing process resulted in a component 35% lighter than the original multi-piece steel design.

Easing Off the Gas: Efficient and Equitable Policy for Passenger Vehicle Emissions Reduction

With GHG emissions and atmospheric concentrations of harmful chemical particles continuing to increase, it is imperative today that destructive social and economic tendencies of allowing these levels of pollution to occur must be halted and reversed. A significant contributor to this air pollution globally, and particularly in the United States, are passenger vehicles. Reducing the emissions levels of passenger vehicles in the United States and the resulting pollution costs immediately must be addressed. Various possible policy alternatives to be implemented federally exist, with raising passenger vehicle emissions standards, increasing subsidies for alternative fuel vehicles, and implementing congestion charging zones representing three prominent alternatives. It is suggested in the paper after consideration of effectiveness, efficiency, social equity, financial cost, and organizational and political feasibility that a combination of increased passenger vehicle emissions standards and subsidies for alternative fuel vehicles be implemented. Putting these policy programs in place is shown not only to be feasible, but to be effective and efficient at addressing the goal of reducing passenger vehicle emissions in the United States in a socially equitable manner. By achieving this, we can provide a safer, cleaner country for all residents across the United States of America regardless of geographic location and economic class.

Development and Testing of a Novel Game Theoretic De-Centralized Traffic Signal Controller

The paper presents a novel de-centralized traffic signal controller, achieved using a Nash bargaining game-theoretic framework, that operates a flexible phasing sequence to adapt to dynamic changes in traffic demand levels. The Nash bargaining algorithm is used to optimize the traffic signal timings at each signalized intersection by modeling each phase as a player in a game, where players cooperate to reach a mutually agreeable outcome. The algorithm was implemented in the INTEGRATION microscopic traffic assignment and simulation software and tested on two sample networks. The proposed control approach was compared to the operation of an optimum fixed-time coordinated plan, an actuated controller, a centralized adaptive phase split controller, a decentralized phase split and cycle length controller, and a fully coordinated adaptive phase split, cycle length, and offset optimization controller to evaluate its performance. Testing was initially conducted on an isolated intersection, showing a 77% reduction in queue length, a a 64% reduction in vehicle delay, and a 17% reduction in vehicle emission levels. In addition, the algorithm was tested on an arterial network producing statistically significant reductions in total delay ranging between 36% and 67% and vehicle emission reductions ranging between 6% and 13%.

Driverless Model Cars: a Review and Analysis of Autonomous Vehicle Literature on Technology and Application

The term “autonomous car” or “driverless car” has recently drawn great attention among designers, manufacturers, and drivers because of its environmental and long-term economic benefits. This may comprise minimizing fuel consumption and reducing vehicle emission and pollution. Furthermore, it has great social benefits on commuting through reducing accidents rate and lowering road rage level to its minimum. However, these advantages come with a certain amount of difficulties such as the high costs of technology and manufacturing as well as the need for updating road system structures. This paper will mainly focus on discussing and evaluating the most recent contributions that have been implemented in order to make the design of driverless cars more efficient, cost-effective, robust, and safer. This includes a comprehensive review of the most recent results for groundbreaking technologies that make ordinary vehicles fully autonomous.

Analysis of Real-World Fuel Consumption Characteristics of Heavy-Duty Commercial Diesel Vehicle Based on OBD Method

In this paper, heavy-duty commercial diesel vehicles were selected for the actual road, vehicle emission test system (PEMS), C-WTVC and CATC test, and each test was connected to the OBD remote monitoring equipment. Through PEMS test and C-WTVC test, the instantaneous fuel consumption data and carbon balance fuel consumption data of OBD remote monitoring equipment are compared within 10%, which proves that OBD remote monitoring has good accuracy. The fuel consumption of the actual road test normalized to CATC is 10.8%-88.0% higher than that of the ministry of industry and information technology type certification, with an average value of 45.1%. The fuel consumption under the normalized C-WTVC condition is 10.1%∼76.6% higher than that under the type approval of the ministry of industry and information technology, with an average value of 40.0% 23.9%. This difference is relatively smaller than that under the normalized to CATC. It is of great significance to correctly guide the development and calibration of vehicles and promote the research and application of vehicle energy conservation and emission reduction technologies suitable for China’s traffic characteristics and actual use characteristics.

Rolling of ingots of third-generation high-strength steels into sheets

One of the essential branches of today’s engineering production involves the production of sheet stock by rolling. In the automotive industry is used the majority of steel sheet stock. In recent decades, this sector has been striving to reduce vehicle emissions. One of the available solutions involves the use of advanced high-strength steels whose chemical composition and strengthening mechanisms make it possible to build the car body with thinner sheet blanks than before. For rolling trials in which ingots were converted into 1.8 mm sheet by combined hot and cold rolling were used two advanced high-strength steels containing 0.2 wt. % carbon and additions of manganese, silicon and different levels of aluminium. This procedure was found to produce strengths in excess of 1000 MPa combined elongation of more than 15 %.

Kansei engineering approach for developing electric motorcycle

Electric vehicles are considered one of the solutions that can reduce vehicle emissions into the environment. However, the enthusiasts' number of the electric motorcycle is still relatively really low. In order to escalate product and competitive value in the market, the design elements of the electric motorcycle have to develop. The aim of this research is to design electric motorcycle that appropriate with user needs and desires by utilizing Kansei Engineering. This study involved 212 respondents for the Semantic Differential I and 204 respondents for the Semantic Differential II. The results of this study were 14 pairs of kansei words which were used to evaluate 11 sample designs where there were 5 items and 14 design categories. The design specifications of the most dominant electric motorcycle were angled seat, type 1 of front hood, 2 slots for luggage box, type 3 of headlight, and type 2 of body hood.

Policing the poor: The impact of vehicle emissions inspection programs across income

Comparing vehicle emissions inspection results with vehicle owner income shows that the Arizona vehicle emissions inspection program constrains the vehicle repair decisions of people in the low end of the income distribution more than people in the high end. Individuals who live in areas with lower annual income are both (i) more likely to drive vehicles that fail emissions inspections at a higher average rate, and (ii) more likely to fail emissions inspections conditional on vehicle characteristics. The top income quintile fails emissions inspections 20% less often than the bottom income quintile even when controlling for observable vehicle characteristics. This implies that owner characteristics, in addition to observable vehicle characteristics, have a non-negligible impact on vehicle emissions rates. Therefore, the impact of programs designed to reduce vehicle emissions could be greater if participation were subject to a means test.

Generation and Analysis of Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Transmission Shift Schedules with a Torque Split Algorithm

The increased concern over global climate change and lack of long-term sustainability of fossil fuels in the projected future has prompted further research into advanced alternative fuel vehicles to reduce vehicle emissions and fuel consumption. One of the primary advanced vehicle research areas involves electrification and hybridization of vehicles. As hybrid-electric vehicle technology has advanced, so has the need for more innovative control schemes for hybrid vehicles, including the development and optimization of hybrid powertrain transmission shift schedules. The hybrid shift schedule works in tandem with a cost function-based torque split algorithm that dynamically determines the optimal torque command for the electric motor and engine. The focus of this work is to develop and analyze the benefits and limitations of two different shift schedules for a position-3 (P3) parallel hybrid-electric vehicle. a traditional two-parameter shift schedule that operates as a function of vehicle accelerator position and vehicle speed (state of charge (SOC) independent shift schedule), and a three-parameter shift schedule that also adapts to fluctuations in the state of charge of the high voltage batteries (SOC dependent shift schedule). The shift schedules were generated using an exhaustive search coupled with a fitness function to evaluate all possible vehicle operating points. The generated shift schedules were then tested in the software-in-the-loop (SIL) environment and the vehicle-in-the-loop (VIL) environment and compared to each other, as well as to the stock 8L45 8-speed transmission shift schedule. The results show that both generated shift schedules improved upon the stock transmission shift schedule used in the hybrid powertrain comparing component efficiency, vehicle efficiency, engine fuel economy, and vehicle fuel economy.