Passenger Car Preheating Produces as Much Particulate Emissions as Driving Dozens of Kilometers

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The preheating emissions were compared to calculated emissions from driving to determine the driving distance corresponding to the preheating emissions under current emissions standards.

The preheating emissions were compared to calculated emissions from driving to determine the driving distance corresponding to the preheating emissions under current emissions standards.

Publishing their findings in Atmospheric Environment: X, the researchers measured auxiliary heater (AH) particulate emissions from the preheating of three gasoline, and three diesel cars for a half an hour period. Preheating was carried out outdoors in sub-zero conditions, i.e., when preheating is recommended by the AH manufacturer.

In terms of particulate emissions, using an auxiliary heater for half an hour was equivalent to a 97-kilometre drive in a gasoline car, or to a 20-kilometre drive in a diesel car, under current emissions standards.

Read more at: University of Eastern Finland

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