The results of a study by the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) show a marked improvement in emissions of air pollutants from vehicles over the past ten years.

The organization compared the tailpipe emissions of five 2008 vehicles against their 1998 predecessors. Although said vehicles have changed in size and engine capacity over the past ten years, the results indicate a positive 72 to 97 percent reduction in vehicle air pollutants, namely hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Detailed results

These results validate that auto manufacturers have met the challenge set by governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 99 percent compared to an uncontrolled vehicle from the mid-1960s.

Honda Civic 1998 (left), 2008 (right)