Emissions Analytics, a Pontiac-based provider of Portable Emissions Measurements Systems (PEMS), today announced the creation of the EQUA Index, designed for the North American vehicle-buying marketplace.
The EQUA Index translates real-world driving data into a rating for clear comparisons between different vehicles, which can help consumers make more environmentally friendly purchasing decisions. The components of the EQUA Index are: carbon dioxide, fuel economy, air quality, and carbon monoxide.
More than three trillion miles are currently driven in the U.S. each year, and the average passenger vehicle emits 4.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. As a result, passenger cars are a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
“Despite Diesel Gate, the reality is that nitrogen oxide emissions from passenger cars are less of a challenge than achieving carbon dioxide reductions,” says Nick Molden, founder and CEO of Emissions Analytics. “Real-world improvements in carbon dioxide emissions and miles per gallon lag behind Europe, and to meet future Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) targets a step up in performance will be required. Over recent years, on-road fuel economy has flat lined.”
The EQUA Index can be used to track progress towards CAFE targets, giving consumers independent feedback on the miles per gallon they can achieve. Since founding Emissions Analytics in 2011, Molden says he anticipated a need for independent, portable emissions testing, which has the potential for eventual free vehicle testing and certification.
Emissions Analytics began North American testing in 2013 on a standardized route in Los Angeles, with 520 vehicles now tested. Research demonstrates that 88 percent of the vehicles were gasoline-powered, with an average engine size of three liters in 2013 and 2.5 liters in 2017.
More information about the EQUA Index can be found here.
