Potential air-quality improvements with future energy carriers in transportation

Aim
Our aim is to provide a-priori information on air-quality implications of potential future energy carriers in transportation relevant for sustainability, life cycle and health-impact assessments.

Methodology
Information on air- and climate-pollutant formation from energy carriers is collected in detailed laboratory assessments on heavy-duty combustion engines as well as on non-tailpipe emissions. We target energy efficiency, characteristics of primary pollutants, characteristics after atmospheric transformation (ageing), and toxicological relevance.

Key results/conclusions
Emissions from renewable energy carriers for heavy-duty transportation that exist on the markets today (alcohols, FAME, HVO) have been reported by our groups. The results show a need for new future energy carriers with inherent low pollution formation potential and a production potential for electrofuels (e-fuels). Non-tailpipe emissions may increase for certain energy carriers. Knowledge on health and climate implications of different emissions mitigating strategies is necessary to ensure a sustainable path forward for the transport sector.