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Methane emissions from vehicles.

E K Nam1, T E Jensen, T J Wallington

  • 1Research Laboratory MD-3083, Ford Motor Company, P.O. Box 2053, Dearborn, Michigan 48121, USA.

Environmental Science & Technology
|April 29, 2004
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Vehicle emissions of methane (CH4) are minimal. This study found that global vehicle CH4 emissions contribute less than 0.2% of total anthropogenic CH4, with a negligible impact on climate change.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Atmospheric Chemistry
  • Automotive Engineering

Background:

  • Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas with significant anthropogenic sources.
  • Vehicles are recognized as a source of CH4 emissions, but their quantitative contribution to the global budget is debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify methane (CH4) emissions from a representative sample of U.S. on-road vehicles.
  • To estimate the global CH4 emissions from the vehicle fleet.
  • To assess the contribution of vehicle CH4 emissions to climate change.

Main Methods:

  • Laboratory-based study utilizing a standard driving cycle.
  • Testing of 30 vehicles (cars and trucks, model years 1995-1999) from four manufacturers.
  • Measurement of CH4 emissions, accounting for vehicle aging, cold start, and hot running conditions.

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Main Results:

  • An average emission factor for the U.S. on-road vehicle fleet was determined to be (15 +/- 4) x 10(-5) g CH4/g CO2.
  • Global vehicle fleet CH4 emissions were estimated at 0.45 +/- 0.12 Tg CH4 yr(-1).
  • Vehicle CH4 emissions represent < 0.2% of total anthropogenic CH4 emissions and contribute 0.3-0.4% to radiative forcing compared to CO2 from vehicles.

Conclusions:

  • Methane emissions from the global vehicle fleet are a minor contributor to overall anthropogenic CH4 emissions.
  • The environmental impact of vehicle CH4 emissions on climate change is negligible.
  • The contribution of vehicle CH4 emissions to climate change is projected to remain insignificant in the foreseeable future.