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Addressing Non-CO₂ Emissions

We are working hard to reduce emissions of criteria and non-CO₂ pollutants in our research, product development and operations. We do this in accordance with vehicle emissions standards around the world, as they become increasingly stringent.

Fuel-combusting vehicles release smog-forming vehicle criteria emissions that get trapped close to the ground and create a haze that can affect people’s health. These emissions are the result of the incomplete combustion of fuels, impurities in fuels and the high-temperature oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen during the fuel combustion process. Criteria pollutants associated with smog include hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide and particulate matter. In many areas of the developed world, air quality has improved in recent decades due to the implementation and enforcement of emissions standards for motor vehicles as well as for stationary sources.

We comply with criteria emission standards in all regions, including the new Tier 3/LEV III standards in the United States and the Real Driving Emissions standard in Europe.

Regional Criteria Emissions Standards

Beyond the Tailpipe

With the decrease in vehicle tailpipe emissions, other emissions are assuming a greater proportional importance. Through our Restricted Substance Management Standard, we have:

• Prohibited GHGs such as perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)
• Replaced all chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which do not contribute to ozone depletion and have significantly lower global warming impacts

Globally, we continue to lower non-CO₂ GHG emissions. For example, in the U.S., we have replaced HFC-134a with HFC-1234yf – a compound with a lower global warming potential – in many passenger cars across our portfolio. The lack of servicing infrastructure and substantially higher costs limit the use of HFC-1234yf in other markets, but we remain committed to further reducing non-CO₂ emissions.

We are exploring current and likely future particulate matter emissions associated with brake and tire wear and from different vehicle technologies. We have completed an initial analysis and will discuss our findings in a future report.