Cityscape with smog and various types of vehicles emitting pollutants

Is Your Car Making You Sick? The Shocking Link Between Vehicle Type and Air Pollution

Avery Sinclair in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Deep Dive into How Different Vehicles Contribute to Air Pollution in Urban Areas and What You Can Do About It"

Urban air pollution is a growing concern, impacting public health and environmental sustainability. One of the significant contributors to this problem is vehicle emissions. Understanding the relationship between different types of vehicles and the pollutants they release is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat air pollution.

In rapidly developing cities, the number of motor vehicles is increasing exponentially, exacerbating air quality issues. For instance, Shijiazhuang, a major city in China, has seen a dramatic rise in vehicle ownership, leading to severe air pollution episodes. Analyzing the specific contributions of various vehicle types can provide valuable insights for policymakers and individuals alike.

This article explores the correlation between motor vehicle types and air pollution, drawing on research conducted in Shijiazhuang. It examines how different vehicles—small cars, medium-sized vehicles, and trucks—contribute to the emission of harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM10). By understanding these relationships, we can better address the challenges of urban air pollution and work towards cleaner, healthier cities.

How Do Different Vehicle Types Impact Air Quality?

Cityscape with smog and various types of vehicles emitting pollutants

To understand the impact of different vehicle types, researchers analyzed traffic patterns and emissions in Shijiazhuang. They focused on major roads like Heping East Road and Yuhua East Road, collecting data on the types and numbers of vehicles using these routes. By applying the Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS), they were able to estimate the emissions of various pollutants from different vehicles.

The study classified vehicles into three main categories: small cars, medium-sized vehicles, and trucks. Small cars included standard cars and smaller trucks, medium-sized vehicles included medium trucks and buses, while trucks encompassed larger vehicles like container cars and semi-trailers. This classification helped in assessing the contribution of each category to overall air pollution.

Here’s a breakdown of how different vehicle types contribute to air pollution:

Small Cars: Typically account for the largest portion of the traffic volume in urban areas. The research indicated that these vehicles contribute significantly to the total emissions of CO, HC, NOx, and PM10.
Medium-Sized Vehicles: Buses and medium-sized trucks also play a notable role in air pollution, though their contribution is generally less than that of small cars.
Trucks: Larger vehicles, though fewer in number, contribute substantially to pollution due to their higher emission rates per vehicle.

The findings revealed that small cars, which make up approximately 85% of the total traffic volume, are responsible for a significant portion of the pollution. They account for about 68% of CO emissions, 74% of HC emissions, 77% of NOx emissions, and 77% of PM10 emissions. Medium-sized vehicles contribute around 16% of CO, 15% of HC, 11% of NOx, and 14% of PM10, while trucks account for 16% of CO, 11% of HC, 12% of NOx, and 9% of PM10.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Vehicle Emissions?

Addressing air pollution from motor vehicles requires a multi-faceted approach. One strategy is to implement policies that encourage the use of cleaner vehicles. Road pricing and restrictions on the number of motor vehicles, especially small cars, can help reduce traffic volume and emissions. Promoting public transportation, cycling, and walking can also decrease reliance on personal vehicles.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What specific pollutants are emitted by motor vehicles and how do they impact air quality?

Motor vehicles emit several harmful pollutants that significantly impact air quality. These include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrocarbons (HC), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), and Particulate Matter (PM10). CO is a colorless, odorless gas that reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. HC, or unburned fuel, contributes to smog formation and has health effects. NOx contributes to both smog and acid rain. PM10, consisting of small inhalable particles, can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. The research conducted in Shijiazhuang underscores that these pollutants, emitted by small cars, medium-sized vehicles and trucks, are a major contributor to urban air pollution and adverse health outcomes.

How do different vehicle types—small cars, medium-sized vehicles, and trucks—contribute to air pollution, and how do their emission levels compare?

The study in Shijiazhuang categorized vehicles into small cars, medium-sized vehicles, and trucks to assess their contributions to air pollution. Small cars, despite accounting for approximately 85% of traffic volume, are significant contributors to CO, HC, NOx, and PM10 emissions, representing a large portion of the total pollution load. Medium-sized vehicles (buses and medium trucks) also contribute, but generally less than small cars. Trucks, though fewer in number, have higher emission rates, which means that they contribute a notable share of pollutants like CO, HC, NOx, and PM10 due to their larger size and engine capacity. Specifically, small cars account for roughly 68% of CO, 74% of HC, 77% of NOx, and 77% of PM10 emissions. Medium-sized vehicles contribute around 16% of CO, 15% of HC, 11% of NOx, and 14% of PM10, while trucks account for 16% of CO, 11% of HC, 12% of NOx, and 9% of PM10.

What methodologies were used to assess the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality in the study?

The research employed several methodologies to evaluate the impact of vehicle emissions. First, traffic patterns and the number of vehicles were analyzed on major roads such as Heping East Road and Yuhua East Road in Shijiazhuang. Vehicles were categorized into small cars, medium-sized vehicles, and trucks. Then, the Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System (EDMS) was applied to estimate the emission levels of CO, HC, NOx, and PM10 from each vehicle type. By combining traffic data with emission estimates, the researchers were able to quantify the contribution of each vehicle category to overall air pollution, thereby understanding the direct correlation between the vehicle types and the pollutants they release.

What are some potential strategies to reduce air pollution caused by vehicle emissions in urban areas?

Addressing air pollution from motor vehicles requires a multi-faceted approach. One key strategy is to promote the use of cleaner vehicles through policy measures. Road pricing mechanisms and restrictions on the number of motor vehicles, especially small cars, can help decrease traffic volume and, consequently, emissions. Another effective strategy is to promote alternative modes of transportation such as public transportation, cycling, and walking. Furthermore, investment in the development of more sustainable and cleaner fuel technologies as well as encouraging the adoption of electric or hybrid vehicles are crucial steps towards mitigating the impact of vehicle emissions on air quality and public health.

How does the research conducted in Shijiazhuang contribute to our understanding of urban air pollution and its sources?

The research in Shijiazhuang provides valuable insights into the relationship between motor vehicle types and air pollution in urban environments. By analyzing traffic patterns and emissions from small cars, medium-sized vehicles, and trucks, the study identifies the specific contributions of each vehicle category to the emission of pollutants like CO, HC, NOx, and PM10. The findings demonstrate that small cars contribute significantly to total emissions, highlighting their impact on air quality. This research underscores the need for targeted policies to reduce emissions from different vehicle types. The study also emphasizes the importance of understanding local conditions and traffic compositions to develop effective air quality management strategies, serving as a model for other cities facing similar challenges.