11 Car Pollution Statistics in the UK (Updated in 2024)

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Car pollution is an issue that affects all of us on every level. The impact of polluted air on our bodies and health is much greater than you can imagine. In the article below, you can find all the essential statistics on car pollution in the UK, its amount, and the primary sources. These statistics reflect how significant the car pollution problem is in the UK.

If you want to learn more about car pollution in the UK, carefully read the statistics we have gathered below.

Click below to jump ahead:

• CO2e Production
• Domestic Transport Emissions
• Emissions from Car Manufacturing and Maintenance
• Health Matters and Costs

The 11 Car Pollution Statistics in the UK

1. In the UK in 2022, every petrol car produced the equivalent of 170.5 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
2. An average electric vehicle produces the equivalent of 51.4 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
3. Vehicles with the lowest carbon footprint in the UK are trains, producing the equivalent of 35 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
4. Since travel was disrupted during COVID-19, CO2 emissions in the UK dropped by 11% in 2020.
5. Transport in the UK is responsible for 33% of Nitrogen Oxide emissions and 14% of Particulate Matter emissions.
6. All domestic transport emissions in the UK dropped 5% between 1990 and 2019 and 19% from 2019 to 2020.
7. In 2020, 24% of the UK’s pollution was produced by transport, with cars and taxis making up 52% of the transport emissions.
8. Car manufacturing and maintenance in the UK is accountable for producing the equivalent of 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
9. UK vehicle manufacturing produces 26 million tons of CO2 from fossil fuels each year.
10. Health costs in the UK range between £8.5 billion and £20.2 billion annually due to air pollution.
11. It is estimated that a 1 μg/m3 reduction of fine particulate air pollution in the UK could prevent 50,900 cases of coronary heart disease over an 18-year period.

CO2e Production

1. In the UK in 2022, every petrol car produced the equivalent of 170.5 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

(Statista)

Petrol cars, or gasoline cars, have been known to be the vehicles with the most significant carbon footprint and have recently been replaced by vehicles that provide a more sustainable solution. These cars run on gasoline, producing greenhouse gases that severely impact air pollution worldwide. While this problem is spread across the globe, the UK has specific readings which show that every patrol car produces the equivalent of 170.5 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

2. An average electric vehicle produces the equivalent of 51.4 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

(Statista)

The last statistic, which shows the amount of CO2e produced by petrol cars, is the best compared to how much CO2e electric vehicles make. Cars considered to be electric usually use a battery as their primary source of power, although they still produce a certain amount of CO2e. As you can see, 51.4 grams of CO2e per kilometer for an electric vehicle is significantly lower than the CO2e petrol cars emit.

3. Vehicles with the lowest carbon footprint in the UK are trains, producing the equivalent of 35 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

(Statista)

Vehicles with the lowest carbon footprint are trains, which produce 35 grams of CO2e per kilometer. This number is significantly lower than a petrol vehicle, proving this mode of transport’s efficiency and sustainability. The reason for the low carbon footprint trains produce is that rail transport is one of the most electrified sectors in transport.

Domestic Transport Emissions

4. Since travel was disrupted during COVID-19, CO2 emissions in the UK dropped by 11% in 2020.

(Statista)

The dropping of CO2 emissions in the UK in 2020 is a logical outcome, given the conditions that society had to adapt to. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people around the world had to change their daily routines, and with more jobs becoming remote, transport sectors have declined. People spent most of their time in isolation at home, resulting in less transport and, therefore, less CO2 emissions.

5. Transport in the UK is responsible for 33% of Nitrogen Oxide emissions and 14% of Particulate Matter emissions.

(Gov UK-Department of Transport)

Nitrogen oxides are a group of two highly reactive gases: nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. These gases are usually produced when the oxygen used in the combustion process meets the nitrogen in the air. Particulate matter results from chemical reactions from various pollutants, usually from vehicles, industries, and power plants. Learning that in the UK, transport is accountable for a third of Nitrogen Oxides emissions as well as 14% of Particulate Matter emissions shows the significance transport has on the environment.

6. All domestic transport emissions in the UK dropped 5% between 1990 and 2019 and 19% from 2019 to 2020.

(Gov UK-Department of Transport)

Domestic transport accounts for all movement and transport along the borders of a particular country, in this case, the UK. In the UK, between 1990 and 2019, all domestic transport emissions dropped from 128 to 122 MtCO2e, which translates to around 5%. Between 2019 and 2020, the emissions dropped by 19%, showing a drastic improvement overall.

7. In 2020, 24% of the UK’s pollution was produced by transport, with cars and taxis making up 52% of the transport emissions.

(Gov UK-Department of Transport)

In 2020, the Department of Transport reported that 24% of the UK’s entire pollution came from transport alone. As you may have expected, cars and taxis make up the majority of transport emissions at 52%. While this number seems like a big part of the country’s pollution, it is a reasonable amount considering the wide use of transport across the UK.

Emissions from Car Manufacturing and Maintenance

8. Car manufacturing and maintenance in the UK is accountable for producing the equivalent of 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

(Carbon Independent)

While most people think of the pollution that comes from gases emitted during driving, the amount of CO2 produced during the manufacturing process is also significant. The manufacturing and maintenance process can produce the equivalent of 99 grams of CO2e per kilometer. This is less than the amount produced during driving but is still a considerable amount that can have massive negative effects on the environment.

9. UK vehicle manufacturing produces 26 million tons of CO2 from fossil fuels each year.

(Carbon Independent)

As we’ve mentioned above, the car manufacturing process in the UK considerably affects pollution. If you need more info to put things into perspective, you can imagine 26 million tons of CO2 being produced annually. That number describes the amount of CO2 produced from fossil fuels in vehicle manufacturing every year.

Health Matters and Costs

10. Health costs in the UK range between £8.5 billion and £20.2 billion annually due to air pollution.

(Gov UK- Public Health England)

The biggest question after reading about car pollution in the UK is what effect it has on the health of the UK’s population? Air pollution can be one of the biggest causes of chronic illnesses, including lung and heart conditions. In the UK, annual health costs are between £8.5 billion and £20.2 billion from conditions caused by air pollution alone. This statistic proves how severe air pollution is and its actual effect on health and well-being.

11. It is estimated that a 1 μg/m3 reduction of fine particulate air pollution in the UK could prevent 50,900 cases of coronary heart disease over an 18-year period.

(Gov UK- Public Health England)

Fine particulate matter is an integral part of air pollution, primarily coming from vehicles. The impact these tiny droplets and particles can have on people’s health is vast. They can travel deep into the respiratory system, reaching the lungs and causing severe reactions. If there were a reduction of only 1 μg/m3 of fine particulate matter pollution in the UK, 50,900 coronary heart diseases would be prevented, along with 16,500 strokes, 9,300 asthma cases, and 4,200 lung cancer cases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Pollution in the UK

What can we do to reduce car pollution?

If you are looking for ways to reduce car pollution, there are many things you, as an individual, can do to help. If you have a bad habit of commuting everywhere you go daily, you could try walking or biking to work. Driving less and walking more can positively affect your health, besides helping the environment. Other ways you can lower car pollution is to maintain your vehicle and drive smart. If you are considering replacing your gasoline vehicle with an electric one, now may be the ideal time to do so.

How much CO2 is produced globally?

In 2022, emissions of CO2 on a global level are projected to reach up to 36 billion tons. Emissions from coal and oil are rising yearly, with oil being the most significant source of pollution. (NOAA RESEARCH NEWS)

Conclusion

Learning about car pollution in the UK and staying educated is the first step towards better and cleaner air. Reading these stats can help put things into perspective and understand that for any change to come, we must change our daily routines. Each individual has to do their best to be a conscientious citizen that cares for their environment.

Featured Image Credit: NadyGinzburg, Shutterstock