United States Air and Radiation EPA420-F-00-013
Environmental Protection April 2000
Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
v>EPA Emission
Facts
Average Annual Emissions and Fuel
Consumption for Passenger Cars and
Light Trucks
The figures presented in this document are averages only. Individual
vehicles may differ in miles traveled and pollution emitted per mile than
indicated here. Emission rates and fuel consumption totals may differ
slightly from original sources due to rounding.
Background
The emission rates for hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and
oxides of nitrogen (NOx) shown in the following tables are from U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highway vehicle emission
factor models. They assume an average, properly maintained vehicle on
the road in July 2000, operating on typical gasoline on a warm summer
day (72-96°F). Emissions may be higher in very hot (especially HC) or
very cold (especially CO) weather.
The calculations for Total Annual Pollution Emitted and Fuel Consumed
are based on an average annual passenger car mileage of 12,500 miles
and an average annual light truck mileage of 14,000 miles. Fuel con-
sumption is based on fleetwide average in-use fuel economy of 21.5
miles per gallon (mpg) for passenger cars and 17.2 mpg for light trucks,
as reported in the 19th edition of the "Transportation Energy Data Book,"
prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy.
) Printed on Recycled Paper
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Car
Component
Hydrocarbons
Carbon Monoxide
Oxides of Nitrogen
Carbon Dioxide2
Gasoline
Emission Rate and Fuel
Consumption
per mile (mi)1
2.80 grams (g)
20.9 grams
1.39 grams
0.916 pound (Ib)
0.0465 gallon
Calculation
(2.80 g/mi) x (12,500 mi) x (1 lb/454 g)
(20.9 g/mi) x (12,500 mi) x (1 lb/454g)
(1.39 g/mi) x (12,500 mi) x (1 lb/454g)
(0.916 Ib/mi) x (12,500)
(0.0465 gallon/mi) x (12,500 mi)
Total Animal Pollution Emitted and
Fuel Consumed
77.1 pounds of hydrocarbons
575 pounds of carbon monoxide
38.2 pounds of oxides of nitrogen
11,450 pounds of carbon dioxide
581 gallons of gasoline
Light Truck
Component
Hydrocarbons
Carbon Monoxide
Oxides of Nitrogen
Carbon Dioxide2
Gasoline
Emission Rate and
Fuel Consumption
per mile (mi)1
3.51 gi-ams(g)
27.7 grams
1.81 granis
1.15 pounds (Ib)
0.0581 gallon
Calculation
(3.51 g/mi) x (14,000 mi) x (1 lb/454 g)
(27.7 g/mi) x (14,000 mi) x (1 lb./454g)
(1.81 g/mi) x (14,000 mi) x (1 lb/454g)
(1.15 Ib/mi) x (14,000 mi)
(.0.581 gallon/mi) x (14,000 mi)
Total Annual Pollution Emitted and
Fuel Consumed3
108 pounds of hydrocarbons
854 pounds of carbon monoxide
55.8 pounds of oxides of nitrogen
16,035 pounds of carbon dioxide
813 gallons of gasoline
Notes:
1. These emission factors and fuel consumption rates are averages for the entire in-use
fleet. Newer cars and trucks will emit less pollution and use less gasoline; older cars
and trucks may emit more pollution and use more gasoline.
2. Carbon dioxide, while not regulated as an emission, is the transportation sector's
primary contribution to climate change. Carbon dioxide emissions are directly
proportional to fuel economy - each 1% increase (decrease) in fuel consumption
results in a corresponding 1% increase (decrease) in carbon dioxide emissions.
3. The total annual emissions and fuel consumption are greater for light trucks than
was presented in the April 1998 version of this fact sheet. This reflects the increasing
trend toward the largest, heaviest light trucks, which currently and in the past have
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had less stringent emission standards and lower fuel economy than
do the lighter light trucks and cars. The new "Tier 2" emission
standards taking effect starting with the 2004 model year will bring
all light trucks into compliance with the same emission standards as
cars (for HC, CO, and NOx).
For
You can access many additional documents on emissions and fuel con-
sumption of passenger cars and light trucks electronically from the
Office of Transporation and Air Quality web site at:
http ://www. epa.gov/otaq
You can also contact the National Vehicle and Fuel Emission Laboratory
library for document information, by mail or phone at:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Transportation and Air Quality
NVFEL Library
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734)214-4311
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