Comparison of regulated emission factors of Euro 6 LDV in Nordic temperatures and cold start conditions: Diesel- and gasoline direct-injection

Abstract

Local air pollution in Norwegian wintertime is characterized by an increase in NO2 concentrations, due to poor dispersion and increased vehicle emissions. The focus of this study is therefore the characterisation of exhaust vehicle emissions in cold ambient temperatures. Euro 6 Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) cars and diesel cars were tested in the laboratory in cold temperatures, including with cold start of the engine. Results show high emissions of CO2, PM and NOx. For the first time, we report also elevated NOx values for GDI vehicles. Further measurements are required to investigate whether these results are the beginning of a new trend of high NOx emissions from GDIs, or if these results represent singular events, but it may indicate that further NOx traps or catalysts are required for these vehicles. Understanding the relationship of cold ambient temperatures and vehicle emissions is also particularly important for air quality dispersion modelling, which do not currently account for emission temperature dependence.