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Table 5-10: Estimated National Average Vehicle Emissions Rates of Heavy-duty Vehicles (grams per mile)

With more freight being moved and fuel consumed, air quality is affected by emissions from freight vehicles. Since 1990, emissions from heavy-duty highway vehicles per mile of operation have declined.

Table in Excel format

empty Cell 1990 1995 2000 2003
Gasoline (assuming zero RFG) empty Cell empty Cell empty Cell empty Cell
Exhaust HC 3.66 2.16 1.22 0.82
Nonexhaust HC 2.74 2.07 1.62 1.41
Total HC 6.40 4.24 2.84 2.24
Exhaust CO 85.61 54.16 31.08 20.60
Exhaust NOx 7.19 6.11 5.26 4.91
Diesel empty Cell empty Cell empty Cell empty Cell
Exhaust HC 2.21 1.23 0.79 0.61
Exhaust CO 10.06 6.32 4.10 3.37
Exhaust NOx 23.34 20.49 18.05 13.92

Key: CO = carbon monoxide; HC = hydrocarbon; NOx = nitrogen oxide; RFG = reformulated gasoline.

Notes: Heavy-duty vehicles are defined as 8,501 lbs or more gross vehivcle weight rating. 1 mile = 1.61 kilometers.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory.

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