Robin Smit
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Articles by Robin Smit
Cheating by car makers, tampering by owners: crucial car pollution control is being sabotaged
Emission control systems in modern cars have slashed air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. But these systems face two major challenges: carmakers cheating on pollution tests and owner tampering. Cheating means high-polluting cars can be sold when they shouldn’t be, while tampering can increase some pollutants up to 100 times. In our new research review, we found the impacts of cheating and tampering on emissions of pollutants are substantial across the globe.
Cheating by manufacturers and tampering by owners leading to car pollution
Emission control systems in modern cars have slashed air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. But these systems face two major challenges: carmakers cheating on pollution tests and owner tampering. Cheating means high-polluting cars can be sold when they shouldn’t be, while tampering can increase some pollutants up to 100 times. In our new research review, we found the impacts of cheating and tampering on emissions of pollutants are substantial across the globe.
Cheating by car makers, tampering by owners: Crucial car pollution control is being sabotaged
Emission control systems in modern cars have slashed air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. But these systems face two major challenges: carmakers cheating on pollution tests and owner tampering. Cheating means high-polluting cars can be sold when they shouldn't be, while tampering can increase some pollutants by up to 100 times. In our new research review, we found the impacts of cheating and tampering on emissions of pollutants are substantial across the globe.
Cheating by car makers, tampering by owners: crucial car pollution control is being sabotaged
Emission control systems in modern cars have slashed air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. But these systems face two major challenges: carmakers cheating on pollution tests and owner tampering. Cheating means high-polluting cars can be sold when they shouldn’t be, while tampering can increase some pollutants up to 100 times. In our new research review, we found the impacts of cheating and tampering on emissions of pollutants are substantial across the globe.
Curbing car emissions - Openforum
Road transport is responsible for a substantial share of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. So reducing these emissions is a high priority. In the European Union (EU), CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars have been regulated for more than 15 years. The range of policy measures includes mandatory CO₂ emission targets. But Australia’s mandatory New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will only come in next year, without other supporting policy measures.
Australians' cars are typically larger, heavier and less efficient than in Europe-here's why
Road transport is responsible for a substantial share of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. So reducing these emissions is a high priority. In the European Union (EU), CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars have been regulated for more than 15 years. The range of policy measures includes mandatory CO₂ emission targets. But Australia's mandatory New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will only come in next year, without other supporting policy measures.
Australians’ cars are typically larger, heavier and less efficient than in Europe - here’s why
Road transport is responsible for a substantial share of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. So reducing these emissions is a high priority. In the European Union (EU), CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars have been regulated for more than 15 years. The range of policy measures includes mandatory CO₂ emission targets. But Australia’s mandatory New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will only come in next year, without other supporting policy measures.
Do electric cars greatly increase the average mass of cars on the road? Not in Australia
Statements have been circulating online, including leading news platforms, that battery electric cars will greatly increase the average mass of the on-road fleet. This claim is used as an argument against these cars. Even the Australian motoring organisation NRMA has posed the question: “EVs are heavy. Are they safe on our roads and carparks?” (It does say the answer is yes.) The stated reason for such concerns is generally that electric car batteries are heavy and increase overall vehicle mass.
Robin Smit, UTS, Author at The Fifth Estate
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Do electric cars greatly increase the average mass of cars on the road? Not in Australia
Statements have been circulating online, including leading news platforms, that battery electric cars will greatly increase the average mass of the on-road fleet. This claim is used as an argument against these cars. Even the Australian motoring organization NRMA has posed the question: "EVs are heavy. Are they safe on our roads and carparks?" (It does say the answer is yes.) The stated reason for such concerns is generally that electric car batteries are heavy and increase overall vehicle mass.
Do electric cars greatly increase the average mass of cars on the road? Not in Australia
Statements have been circulating online, including leading news platforms, that battery electric cars will greatly increase the average mass of the on-road fleet. This claim is used as an argument against these cars. Even the Australian motoring organisation NRMA has posed the question: “EVs are heavy. Are they safe on our roads and carparks?” (It does say the answer is yes.) The stated reason for such concerns is generally that electric car batteries are heavy and increase overall vehicle mass.
Transport choices can make a significant difference for climate change, researchers find
Australian transport emissions are still growing. As a result, transport is expected to be our biggest-emitting sector by 2030. So, cutting transport emissions is crucial to Australia's net-zero strategy. Studies show electrifying passenger vehicles and trucks will greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the switch to electric vehicles is slow. It won't be enough to reach net-zero by 2050. Other strategies are needed. That's where the concept of "mode shift" comes in.
Wondering how to get from Brisbane to Melbourne without wrecking the climate? Our transport choices make a huge difference
Australian transport emissions are still growing. As a result, transport is expected to be our biggest-emitting sector by 2030. So, cutting transport emissions is crucial to Australia’s net-zero strategy. Studies show electrifying passenger vehicles and trucks will greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But the switch to electric vehicles is slow. It won’t be enough to reach net-zero by 2050. Other strategies are needed. That’s where the concept of “mode shift” comes in.
Comparison of land transport options for getting to net zero shows electric rail is the best Original
Transport emissions have grown in line with the population and economy. Without intervention, the Australian government expects transport to be the largest emissions source by 2030. So, cutting transport emissions is a crucial, but challenging, element of the net-zero strategy. Independent research estimated Australia would cut road transport emissions by only 35%–45% from 2019 to 2050.
We compared land transport options for net zero. Hands down, electric rail is best
Transport emissions have grown in line with the population and economy. Without intervention, the Australian government expects transport to be the largest emissions source by 2030. So, cutting transport emissions is a crucial, but challenging, element of the net-zero strategy. Independent research estimated Australia would cut road transport emissions by only 35-45% from 2019 to 2050.
We compared land transport options for getting to net zero. Hands down, electric rail is the best
Transport emissions have grown in line with the population and economy. Without intervention, the Australian government expects transport to be the largest emissions source by 2030. So, cutting transport emissions is a crucial, but challenging, element of the net-zero strategy. Independent research estimated Australia would cut road transport emissions by only 35-45% from 2019 to 2050.
At last, Australia has fuel efficiency standards - but they’re weaker than they could have been
After decades of debate and no action, Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard has finally passed federal parliament. It will apply to new cars sold from July next year. Setting a standard promises to cut transport emissions and send us further down the road to net zero by 2050. But the long delay means we’re starting from the back of the pack. Australian passenger vehicles currently emit at least 50% more CO₂ than the global average. Emissions have been getting worse, not better.
At last, Australia has fuel efficiency standards - but they’re weaker than they could have been
After decades of debate and no action, Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard has finally passed federal parliament. It will apply to new cars sold from July next year. Setting a standard promises to cut transport emissions and send us further down the road to net zero by 2050. But the long delay means we’re starting from the back of the pack. Australian passenger vehicles currently emit at least 50% more CO₂ than the global average. Emissions have been getting worse, not better.
At last, Australia has fuel efficiency standards
After decades of debate and no action, Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard[1] has finally passed federal parliament[2]. It will apply to new cars sold from July next year. Setting a standard promises to cut transport emissions[3] and send us further down the road[4] to net zero by 2050. But the long delay means we’re starting from the back of the pack. Australian passenger vehicles currently emit at least 50% more CO₂[5] than the global average. Emissions have been getting worse, not better.
Cars in One Country Are Emitting Way More CO2 Than Elsewhere Original
Australian passenger vehicles are emitting 50% more carbon dioxide (CO₂) than the average of the world's major markets. And the real-world situation is even worse than official figures show. That's the finding of a new study comparing the CO₂ emissions performance of cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles in Australia and overseas. The comparison suggests Australia will probably fall well short of the economy-wide 2050 net-zero emission target for road transport.
Australian passenger vehicle emission rates are 50% higher than the rest of the world-and it's getting worse, says study
Australian passenger vehicles are emitting 50% more carbon dioxide (CO₂) than the average of the world's major markets. And the real-world situation is even worse than official figures show. That's the finding of a new study comparing the CO₂ emissions performance of cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles in Australia and overseas. The comparison suggests Australia will probably fall well short of the economy-wide 2050 net-zero emission target for road transport.
Australian passenger vehicle emission rates are 50% higher than the rest of the world - and it’s getting worse
Australian passenger vehicles are emitting 50% more carbon dioxide (CO₂) than the average of the world’s major markets. And the real-world situation is even worse than official figures show. That’s the finding of a new study comparing the CO₂ emissions performance of cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles in Australia and overseas. The comparison suggests Australia will probably fall well short of the economy-wide 2050 net-zero emission target for road transport.
How Australian light-duty vehicle CO2 emissions compare with the rest of the world
This briefing analyzes the difference in real-world and type approval CO2 emissions between the average fleet emissions from Australia’s light-duty vehicles and those of other major markets, including China, Japan, the EU, and the US. Our analyses reveal there is a yawning gap between the light-duty fleet’s average emissions in Australia and other major markets, that is putting Australia at a significant disadvantage.
Battery electric trucks offer emission cuts of 75-85% over their entire life cycle Original
Transport is likely the hardest economic sector to decarbonise. And road vehicles produce the most greenhouse gas emissions of the Australian transport sector – 85% of its total. Freight trucks account for only 8% of travel on our roads but 27% of transport emissions. We analysed the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of Australian passenger cars and SUVs in a 2022 study. We have now looked at Australian trucks.
Why electric trucks are our best bet to cut road transport emissions | CiTTi Magazine
Battery electric trucks offer larger and more certain emission cuts than trucks powered by hydrogen in the quest to reduce Australia’s stubbornly high transport emissions. Transport is likely the hardest economic sector to decarbonise. And road vehicles produce the most greenhouse gas emissions of the Australian transport sector – 85% of its total. Freight trucks account for only 8% of travel on our roads but 27% of transport emissions.
Why electric trucks are our best bet to cut road transport emissions
Transport is likely the hardest economic sector to decarbonise. And road vehicles produce the most greenhouse gas emissions of the Australian transport sector – 85% of its total. Freight trucks account for only 8% of travel on our roads but 27% of transport emissions. We analysed the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of Australian passenger cars and SUVs in a 2022 study. We have now looked at Australian trucks.
Why electric trucks are our best bet to cut road transport emissions Original
Transport is likely the hardest economic sector to decarbonize. And road vehicles produce the most greenhouse gas emissions of the Australian transport sector—85% of its total. Freight trucks account for only 8% of travel on our roads but 27% of transport emissions. We analyzed the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of Australian passenger cars and SUVs in a 2022 study. We have now looked at Australian trucks.
Why electric trucks are our best bet to cut road transport emissions
Transport is likely the hardest economic sector to decarbonise. And road vehicles produce the most greenhouse gas emissions of the Australian transport sector – 85% of its total. Freight trucks account for only 8% of travel on our roads but 27% of transport emissions. We analysed the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of Australian passenger cars and SUVs in a 2022 study. We have now looked at Australian trucks.
Sustainability | Free Full-Text | Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance of Electric, Hydrogen and Fossil-Fuelled Freight Trucks with Uncertainty Estimates Using a Probabilistic Life-Cycle Assessment (pLCA)
All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess.
Too big, too heavy and too slow to change: road transport is way off track for net zero
The need to cut the emissions driving climate change is urgent, but it’s proving hard to decarbonize road transport in Australia. Its share of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions doubled from eight percent in 1990 to 16 percent in 2020. New vehicles sold in Australia have barely improved average emissions performance for the last decade or so. The federal government publishes emission forecasts to 2035 – 15 years short of 2050, the net-zero target date.
Too big, too heavy and too slow to change: road transport way off track for net zero
New vehicles sold in Australia have barely improved average emissions performance for the past decade or so. The federal government publishes emission forecasts to 2035 – 15 years short of 2050, the net-zero target date. Our newly published study forecasts road transport emissions through to 2050. The estimated reduction by 2050, 35–45% of pre-COVID levels in 2019, falls well short of what’s needed. Our findings highlight three obstacles to achieving net zero.
Too big, too heavy and too slow to change: road transport is way off track for net zero
The need to cut the emissions driving climate change is urgent, but it’s proving hard to decarbonise road transport in Australia. Its share of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions doubled from 8% in 1990 to 16% in 2020. New vehicles sold in Australia have barely improved average emissions performance for the last decade or so. The federal government publishes emission forecasts to 2035 – 15 years short of 2050, the net-zero target date.
Too big, too heavy and too slow to change: Road transport is way off track for net zero Original
The need to cut the emissions driving climate change is urgent, but it's proving hard to decarbonize road transport in Australia. Its share of the nation's total greenhouse gas emissions doubled from 8% in 1990 to 16% in 2020. New vehicles sold in Australia have barely improved average emissions performance for the last decade or so. The federal government publishes emission forecasts to 2035—15 years short of 2050, the net-zero target date.
Too big, too heavy and too slow to change: road transport is way off track for net zero
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Too big, too heavy and too slow to change: road transport is way off track for net zero Original
The need to cut the emissions driving climate change is urgent, but it’s proving hard to decarbonise road transport in Australia. Its share of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions doubled from 8% in 1990 to 16% in 2020. New vehicles sold in Australia have barely improved average emissions performance for the last decade or so. The federal government publishes emission forecasts to 2035 – 15 years short of 2050, the net-zero target date.
Emulation of a Chemical Transport Model to Assess Air Quality under Future Emission Scenarios for the Southwest of Western Australia
Abstract : Simulation outputs from chemical transport models (CTMs) are essential to plan effective air quality policies. A key strength of these models is their ability to separate out source-specific components which facilitate the simulation of the potential impact of policy on future air quality. However, configuring and running these models is complex and computationally intensive, making the evaluation of multiple scenarios less accessible to many researchers and policy experts.
OPINION | Are we underestimating how bad carbon-belching SUVs are for the climate – and our health | Wheels
Robin Smit, University of Technology Sydney and Nic Surawski, University of Technology Sydney Australia's love for fuel-hungry and fuel-inefficient SUVs is hampering our ability to bring transport emissions down. SUVs make up half of all new car sales last year, a National Transport Commission report revealed this week – up from a quarter of all sales a decade ago. As a result, the carbon emitted by all new cars sold in Australia dropped only 2% in 2021, the report found.
We may be underestimating just how bad carbon-belching SUVs are for the climate - and for our health
Wed Sep 21 Written by Robin Smit, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney Australia’s love for fuel-hungry and fuel-inefficient SUVs is hampering our ability to bring transport emissions down. SUVs make up half of all new car sales last year, a National Transport Commission report revealed this week – up from a quarter of all sales a decade ago. As a result, the carbon emitted by all new cars sold in Australia dropped only 2% in 2021, the report found.
We may be underestimating just how bad carbon-belching SUVs are for the climate, and for our health
Australia's love for fuel-hungry and fuel-inefficient SUVs is hampering our ability to bring transport emissions down. SUVs make up half of all new car sales last year, a National Transport Commission report revealed this week—up from a quarter of all sales a decade ago. As a result, the carbon emitted by all new cars sold in Australia dropped only 2% in 2021, the report found.
We may be underestimating just how bad carbon-belching SUVs are for the climate - and for our health
Australia’s love for fuel-hungry and fuel-inefficient SUVs is hampering our ability to bring transport emissions down. SUVs make up half of all new car sales last year, a National Transport Commission report revealed this week – up from a quarter of all sales a decade ago. As a result, the carbon emitted by all new cars sold in Australia dropped only 2% in 2021, the report found.
The road to new fuel efficiency rules is filled with potholes. Here's how Australia can avoid them
Fri Aug 26 Written by Robin Smit, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney Last week, federal Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen officially put fuel efficiency standards on the national agenda, saying the measure would reduce transport emissions and encourage electric vehicle uptake. Fuel efficiency standards are applied to car manufacturers and indirectly set limits on how much CO₂ can on average be emitted from a new vehicle.
The road to new fuel efficiency rules is filled with potholes. Here's how Australia can avoid them
Last week, federal Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen officially put fuel efficiency standards on the national agenda, saying the measure would reduce transport emissions and encourage electric vehicle uptake. Fuel efficiency standards are applied to car manufacturers and indirectly set limits on how much CO₂ can on average be emitted from a new vehicle. Such standards lead to lower fuel costs for motorists and could help Australia meet its targets under the Paris climate agreement.
5 tips to make your fuel tank last longer while prices soar
Robin Smit, University of Technology Sydney and Nic Surawski, University of Technology Sydney The federal government's announcement of a halved fuel excise is no doubt music to many people's ears. Following Australia's budget release, the excise (a government tax included in the purchase price of fuel) was halved from 44.2 cents per litre to 22.1 cents. South Africa also sees a small drop in fuel for the first time in months, albeit almost insignificant.
How climate-friendly is an electric car? It all comes down to where you live
If you're thinking about buying an electric vehicle, whether due to soaring fuel prices or to lower your greenhouse gas emissions, where you live can make a huge difference to how climate-friendly your car is. New research reveals having an electric vehicle would mean less emissions than a fossil-fuelled car—but the extent to which electric vehicles can lower emissions varies in each state. Much depends on how much electricity is generated from renewable sources, such as solar, wind and hydro.
How climate-friendly is an electric car? It all comes down to where you live
If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, whether due to soaring fuel prices or to lower your greenhouse gas emissions, where you live can make a huge difference to how climate-friendly your car is. New research reveals having an electric vehicle would mean less emissions than a fossil-fuelled car – but the extent to which electric vehicles can lower emissions varies in each state. Much depends on how much electricity is generated from renewable sources, such as solar, wind and hydro.
Expert’s advice on how to make your fuel tank last longer while petrol prices are high
The federal government’s announcement of a halved fuel excise is no doubt music to many people’s ears. Following last week’s federal budget release, the excise was halved from 44.2 cents per litre to 22.1 cents. Watch more on falling petrol prices in the video player above For more Personal Finance related news and videos check out Personal Finance >> It should provide some respite from high petrol and diesel prices driven by Russia’s war on Ukraine.
5 tips to make your fuel tank last longer while prices are high
The federal government’s announcement of a halved fuel excise is no doubt music to many people’s ears. Following Tuesday night’s budget release, the excise (a government tax included in the purchase price of fuel) was halved from 44.2 cents per litre to 22.1 cents. Read more: What is petrol excise, and why does Australia have it anyway? It should provide some respite from high petrol and diesel prices driven by Russia’s war on Ukraine. However, the cut is only expected to last six months.
We must rapidly decarbonise road transport – but hydrogen’s not the answer - Beef Central
hydrogen logo on gas stations fuel dispenser. h2 combustion Truck engine for emission free ecofriendly transport. Hydrogen has been touted as the fuel of the future, and the technology features prominently in the Morrison government’s plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Earlier this month the government unveiled its “future fuels” strategy to reduce emissions in the transport sector, committing A$250 million for battery electric vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure.
We must rapidly decarbonise road transport – but hydrogen's not the answer
Hydrogen has been touted as the fuel of the future, and the technology features prominently in the Morrison government’s plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Earlier this month the government unveiled its “future fuels” strategy to reduce emissions in the transport sector, committing A$250 million for battery electric vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure. And in September, it pledged almost A$500 million towards the Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs Program.
We must rapidly decarbonise transport - but hydrogen’s not the answer
Hydrogen has been touted as the fuel of the future, and the technology features prominently in the Morrison government’s plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Earlier this month the government unveiled its “future fuels” strategy to reduce emissions in the transport sector, committing A$250 million for battery electric vehicles and hydrogen infrastructure. And in September, it pledged almost A$500 million towards the Clean Hydrogen Industrial Hubs Program.
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