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Solutions That Reduce Pollution
Regulations and voluntary programs designed to improve vehicle and engine technology are greatly reducing mobile source emissions. EPA studies show that today's cars emit 75 to 90 percent less pollution (for each mile driven) than their 1970 counterparts, thanks largely to advancements in vehicle and fuel technology. Still, further emission reductions are essential to further progress toward clean and healthy air for everyone. EPA and others are investing in research to develop even more sophisticated propulsion and emission control systems. Here are some examples of programs focusing on vehicles, engines, and equipment:
- EPA established progressively more stringent emission standards for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, starting in the mid-1970s for on-road vehicles and in the early 1990s for nonroad engines and equipment. Emissions standards set limits on the amount of pollution a vehicle or engine can emit. Learn more about standards for light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty and nonroad vehicles (PDF) (16 pg, 142KB), and about emission control programs for on-road vehicles, and nonroad vehicles, engines, and equipment.
- Manufacturers responded to tighter emission standards by improving engine and vehicle technology, including:
- Designing highly efficient combustion systems to minimize exhaust pollution.
- Introducing vapor recovery systems to capture evaporating gasoline.
- Using computer technologies to monitor and control engine performance.
- Developing effective "after treatment" technologies, such as catalytic converters and particulate filters that remove pollutants from the exhaust stream before they can escape into the atmosphere.
- Research is underway to develop even more efficient engine designs and emission control systems for both on-road vehicles and nonroad vehicles, engines, and equipment. Research topics include improving the technologies mentioned above; possibly using on-road emission control technologies in nonroad vehicles, engines, and equipment; and testing new Clean Automotive Technology.