1. Carbon from Cars: Pollution Impacts of Vehicle Transportation
Luke Tonachel
Senior Analyst, Transportation Program
Natural Resources Defense Council
September 16, 2011

2. Sources of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Transportation
Passenger Vehicles = 58%
Economy-wide
Transportation = 27%*
* End use only. If production and refining of petroleum is included, then transportation share would increase to roughly 1/3rd.
Source: EPA GHG Emission Inventory Released 2010

3. U.S. Oil Consumption
On-road vehicles use ~80% in Transportation Sector
~70% Consumed in Transportation
Data source: EIA, Annual Energy Review, 09/2010
Data source: EIA, Annual Energy Outlook, 2010

4. We can’t drill our way out of high and volatile gasoline prices.
At 19 million barrels per day, the U.S. consumes about a quarter of global oil supply but has only 2 percent of proven reserves.

5. On-going heavy reliance on oil means more pollution as high carbon sources are exploited.
Canadian Tar Sands fuels have higher emissions than conventional fuels.
Source: The Pembina Institute (left) and WWF (right)

6. Vehicle Carbon Footprint
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Gasoline Consumption
Upstream (fuel production and delivery)
4 lbs/gal
Tailpipe (fuel combustion)
20 lbs/gal
Total
24 lbs/gal (11.1 kg/gal)
CO2e
Vehicle
Miles/gallon (mpg)
Emissions (gCO2e/mile)
Average car
23.8
466
Average light truck
17.5
634
Average light-duty vehicle
20.4
544
New car (2010)
25.8
430
New truck (2010)
19.1
581
New light-duty vehicle (2010)
22.5
493
Average values from NRDC Stock Model. New values from EPA Fuel Economy Trends Report.

7. History of Stagnating Fuel Economy
Cars
Combined
Light trucks
Car standards stuck at 27.5 mpg for 20 years (MY ).
Data source: EPA Fuel Economy Trends

8. First-ever CO2 Pollution and New Fuel Efficiency Standards
May 2009: Raise fuel economy to 35 mpg and cut carbon pollution to 250 gCO2/mi by 2016.
July 2011: Raise fuel economy to 54 mpg and cut carbon pollution to 163 gCO2/mi by 2025.

9. U.S. Passenger Vehicle Fleet Comprehensive Approach Required
A Clean Energy Scenario: Efficiency, Reduced Miles Driven, and Clean Fuels
Source: NRDC Analysis

10. New Vehicle Labels Provide Emissions Ratings (MY2013+)

11. Transportation pollution forms dangerous ozone and threatens our health.
The transportation sector emits nearly 60% of nitrogen oxides that serve as the engine for smog formation and about 40% of volatile organic compounds that fuel and accelerate the smog engine.
Highway and off-highway vehicles also emit harmful particulate pollution which can be especially dangerous in concentrated hot spots near ports, for example.

12. Reduced Driving

13. Large GHG Reductions Possible from Better Infrastructure and VMT Reduction Strategies
Study: Moving Cooler,

14. VMT Reduction Strategies are Cost-Effective
Study: Moving Cooler,

15. More info: www.nrdc.org/transportation

16. More info: www.nrdc.org/transportation/infrastructure.asp

17. Luke Tonachel ltonachel@nrdc.org
Thank you.
Luke Tonachel