EPA420-F-97-037
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory
Annual Emissions and Fuel Consumption for an "Average" Passenger Car1
Pollutant
Problem
Amount^
per mile (mi)
Miles3
Calculation
Hydrocarbons Urban ozone (smog) 2.9 grams (g) 12,500 2.9 g/mi X 12,500 mi X 1 lb/454 g
Air toxics
Carbon Monoxide Poisonous gas
22 grams
Nitrogen Oxides Urban ozone (smog) 1.5 grams
Acid rain
12,500
12,500
Carbon Dioxide Global warming
Gasoline Imported oil
0.8 pound (Ib) 12,500
0.044 gallon 12,500
22 g/mi X 12,500 mi X 1 lb/454 g
1.5 g/mi X 12,500 mi X 1 lb/454 g
0.81b/miX12,500mi
0.044gallon/mi X 12,500 mi
Pollution/Fuel Consumption4
= 80 pounds of hydrocarbons
= 606 pounds of carbon monoxide
= 41 pounds of nitrogen oxides
= 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide
= 550 gallons of gasoline
Notes;
1. These are averages. Individual vehicles may travel more or less miles and may emit more or less pollution per mile than indicated here. Emission
factors and pollution/fuel consumption totals may differ slightly from original sources due to rounding.
2. The emission factors used here come from standard EPA emission models. They assume an "average," properly maintained car on the road in 1997,
operating on typical gasoline on a summer day (72-96°F). Emissions may be higher in very hot or very cold weather.
3. Average annual mileage source: EPA Office of Mobile Sources Assessment and Modeling Division.
4. Fuel consumption is based on average in-use passenger car fuel economy of 22.5 miles per gallon. Source: US DOT/FHA, Highway Statistics 1995.
April 1997
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