Emissions & Ratings
Until zero emissions vehicles are being used at scale, we need to choose the cleanest technology available to reduce urban NOx and CO2 emissions, and to provide protection inside the vehicle from harmful pollutants.
What causes air pollution?
Air pollution is a local, regional and international problem caused by the emission of pollutants which lead to negative impacts on human health and ecosystems. There are many sources of air pollution including:
- Power stations
- Traffic and vehicle emissions
- Household heating
- Agriculture
- Industrial processes
Why is air pollution dangerous?
Air pollution caused by vehicle emissions like NOx gases can affect our respiratory system through potentially lethal inflammation and decreased function. Release of CO2 can also reach harmful levels for humans and the environment.
In the UK a nine-year-old girl’s fatal asthma attack has been linked to illegally high levels of air pollution. During the time she lived in an air pollution ‘hot spot’ in London, local air pollution levels breached EU legal limits. No individual death had been directly linked to air pollution until now.
In 2021 more than 97% of the urban population was exposed to concentrations of fine particulate matter above the health-based guideline level set by the World Health Organization.
Types of vehicle emissions
NOx Emissions
NOx refers to nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. They are released from vehicle engines and can reach harmful levels in towns and cities. They are an irritant and cause inflammation of the airways.
CO2 Emissions
Vehicles produce CO2 when they use fuel. The amount of CO2 produced is directly linked to how much fuel they consume. Excess levels of CO2 can be harmful to humans and the environment.
AIR Index
AIR Index ratings provide clear information when choosing a car or van based on data collected during real-world urban driving; NOx emissions, CO2 emissions and the effectiveness of the ventilation system and filter to protect vehicle occupants from exterior pollution. Ratings for each AIR Index range from A (the best) to E (the worst) using the latest measurement technology in repeatable tests.
Cabin Air Quality
Cabin air quality is the measure of the air quality within the vehicle itself. While you sit in traffic and drive through cities in towns, your vehicle should filter out the harmful emissions to keep you safe.
Euro Standards
All vehicles on European roads must have a Euro emissions rating which reports the results of lab-based tests carried out by car and van makers to simulate the levels of harmful emissions produced in certain driving conditions.
Fuel Economy
Miles per gallon (Mpg) or consumption in litres per 100km is a measure of how economical a car or van is based on how far it can travel with just one gallon of fuel (petrol or diesel) or how many litres of fuel needed to travel 100km.
Real Driving Emissions
Real-world and on-road driving emissions and actual fuel economy tests are designed to be a much more accurate reflection of how vehicles perform with typical use.
