National Fuel Quality Standards Regulation Impact Statement 1 ...

Table 2.1 Contribution (%) of motor vehicles to air emissions in major Australian
cities
Carbon monoxide
(CO)
Hydrocarbons
(HC)
Oxides of nitrogen
(NOx)
Particulates
(PM)
70-95% 40-50% 70-80% 10-50%
Source: Coffey Partners, 1996
Recent research (Carnovale et al, 1991; James, 1994; RTA, 1994; Ballantyne, 1995;
NSW EPA, 1996c; AATSE, 1997; WA DEP, 1997) indicates that unless further action is
taken to improve the management of transport emissions, air quality is likely to decline in
the medium to long term. The principal causes will be population growth, urbanisation
and increased use of motor vehicles.
High levels of air pollutants have been shown to result in a wide range of adverse health
effects including respiratory effects, ranging in severity from coughs, chest congestion,
asthma, to chronic illness and possible premature death in susceptible people.
As shown in Table 2.2, the transport sector contributed about 16% of national greenhouse
gas emissions in 1998. Transport sector emissions rose by 18% during 1990-98. Road
transport is the largest contributor to transport emissions and makes up 14% of total
national emissions. The average rate of increase in road transport emissions over the
period 1990 to 1998 was about 2% per annum. Passenger cars contributed 9% of national
emissions, or 57% of total transport sector emissions in 1998.