Driving Towards Clean Air: Decarbonising Transport Sectors in the UK
Key Ideas
  • Existing air pollution regulations in the UK can prevent thousands of early deaths by 2030, emphasizing the importance of accelerating efforts to improve air quality.
  • Road freight, a major contributor to air pollution, needs to transition to low emissions vehicles like electric HGVs or hydrogen-powered trucks to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
  • The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium is leading the way by introducing low-emission electric HGVs and exploring national-scale modelling to accelerate the transition to cleaner vehicles.
  • The maritime sector is also making changes to reduce air pollution, with stricter regulations and initiatives in place to mitigate emissions from port operations and visiting ships, aligning with broader environmental goals.
Transport Systems Engineers, William Bonnell and Robin Koerner, discuss the pressing issue of air pollution in the UK and the efforts being made to decarbonise transportation sectors in order to improve air quality and public health. Despite current regulations, thousands of early deaths could be prevented by 2030, highlighting the need to intensify efforts to combat air pollution. Road freight is a significant source of emissions, with diesel vehicles contributing to NOx and particulate matter pollution. Transitioning to low-emission vehicles such as electric HGVs or hydrogen-powered trucks is crucial for reducing emissions and improving air quality. The eFREIGHT 2030 consortium is at the forefront of this transition, introducing electric HGVs and conducting national-scale modelling to accelerate the shift to cleaner vehicles. In the maritime sector, ports play a key role in reducing air pollution, with initiatives in place to mitigate emissions from port operations and visiting ships. Stricter global limits on fuel sulfur content and the establishment of Port Air Quality Strategies are steps towards minimizing environmental impact. Overall, transitioning to cleaner vehicles and reducing emissions in both road freight and maritime sectors is essential for achieving Net Zero goals and improving public health.
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