Emissions per vehicle kilometre for road traffic in the Netherlands, 1980-2002*

The number of vehicle kilometres has increased by more than 30% since 1990. Nevertheless, with the exception of CO₂, measures in place have resulted in emission reductions.

Stable emissions of carbon dioxide per vehicle kilometre

Between 1990 and 1998, the increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by road traffic more or less kept pace with the increase in the number of vehicle kilometres. This means that road vehicles have, on average, not become more economical in this period.

Sharp falls in emissions of nitrogen oxides per vehicle kilometre

Since 1990, the emissions of NO_x by road traffic have fallen annually, despite the fact that the number of vehicle kilometres between 1990 and 2001 has increased by approximately 30%. In the case of NO_x, this is mainly due to the three-way catalytic converter, which was introduced in the early nineties as a result of emission objectives for passenger cars and delivery vans.

Developments in carbon monoxide and VOC emissions

Since 1980, the emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) have declined by 60% and 55% respectively. Progressively more stringent European emission requirements for the type approval of motor vehicles ultimately resulted in the use of three-way catalytic converters for petrol and LPG passenger cars and delivery vans. Between 1990 and 2001, VOC evaporation emissions also fell by one quarter under the influence of European requirements as a result of the use of carbon filters ('canisters') in passenger cars.

• An extensive description of the causes of the emissions mentioned above.
• Data about the number of passenger kilometres in road traffic and transport performance in freight transport.

References

• CBS (2003). Statline. Emissies door mobiele bronnen CBS, Voorburg/Heerlen.
• CCDM (2003). Emissiemonitor. Jaarcijfers 2001 en ramingen 2002. Datawarehouse-Emissieregistratie. Coördinatiecommissie Doelgroepmonitoring, The Hague. You can find descriptions of the calculation method in the meta-information of the Emissiemonitor on the Emissieregistratie website.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Traffic and transport: introduction
• Passenger kilometres in Dutch passenger transport, 1980-2002
• Transport performance in Dutch freight haulage, 1980-2000
• Emissions to air by Traffic and transport in the Netherlands, 1990-2002*
• Emissions from road traffic in the Netherlands, 2002*
• Guide to Environmental theme of Climate change (greenhouse effect)
• Guide to Environmental theme of Acidification and transboundary air pollution

Relevant information outside of the Environmental Data Compendium

• More emissions data can be found in Statline (Statistics Netherlands).
• Recent emission data and descriptions of the calculation methods used (meta-information) can be viewed in detail on the Data Warehouse of the 'Emissieregistratie' website.