The challenge to NO_x emission control for heavy-duty diesel vehicles in China

Abstract. China's new "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" set a target for total NO_x emission reduction of 10% for the period of 2011–2015. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs) have been considered a major contributor to NO_x emissions in China. Beijing initiated a comprehensive vehicle test program in 2008. This program included a sub-task for measuring on-road emission profiles of hundreds of HDDVs using portable emission measurement systems (PEMS). The major finding is that neither the on-road distance-specific (g km⁻¹) nor brake-specific (g kWh⁻¹) NO_x emission factors for diesel buses and heavy-duty diesel trucks improved in most cases as emission standards became more stringent. For example, the average NO_x emission factors for Euro II, Euro III and Euro IV buses are 11.3 ± 3.3 g km⁻¹, 12.5 ± 1.3 g km⁻¹, and 11.8 ± 2.0 g km⁻¹, respectively. No statistically significant difference in NO_x emission factors was observed between Euro II and III buses. Even for Euro IV buses equipped with SCR systems, the NO_x emission factors are similar to Euro III buses. The data regarding real-time engine performance of Euro IV buses suggest the engine certification cycles did not reflect their real-world operating conditions. These new on-road test results indicate that previous estimates of total NO_x emissions for HDDV fleet may be significantly underestimated. The new estimate in total NO_x emissions for the Beijing HDDV fleet in 2009 is 37.0 Gg, an increase of 45% compared to the previous study. Further, we estimate that the total NO_x emissions for the national HDDV fleet in 2009 are approximately 4.0 Tg, higher by 1.0 Tg (equivalent to 18% of total NO_x emissions for vehicle fleet in 2009) than that estimated in the official report. This would also result in 4% increase in estimation of national anthropogenic NO_x emissions. More effective control measures (such as promotion of CNG buses and a new in-use compliance testing program) are urged to secure the goal of total NO_x mitigation for the HDDV fleet in the future.