We are delighted to share that our latest PAREMPI research article, led by Finnish Meteorological Institute, has been officially published in Atmospheric Environment X Journal (Volume 28, December 2025), an international peer-reviewed journal focusing on air pollution and its effects on the environment and human health.
The study looked at emissions from different types of modern and older cars, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), to understand how they affect air quality in real-world driving conditions. Gases and particles released from vehicles can form additional air pollution once in the atmosphere, leading to increased particulate matter (PM) levels. Even the latest car technologies still produce PM emissions under certain conditions such as cold starts.
The findings show that new cars representing the latest emission standards emit even 90% less aged PM compared to older cars. However, cold start remains a source of PM emissions, as does the transition of PHEVs from battery to combustion engine operation.
Importantly, aged PM, including the secondary aerosols formed in the atmosphere from exhaust gases during ageing, often exceeded the amount of particles emitted directly from the tailpipe. These secondary aerosols are not currently regulated, despite their impact on air quality. The research highlights the importance of considering these secondary emissions in efforts to improve urban air quality.
This article was based on the PAREMPI measurements conducted at BOSMAL Automotive Research and Development Institute, Poland, in collaboration with Finnish Meteorological Institute, Tampere university, the Institute of Experimental Medicine, and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Article details
Title: From real-driving emissions to urban air quality: composition of aged PM from modern diesel, gasoline, and CNG fueled cars and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
Journal: Atmospheric Environment: X, 100375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeaoa.2025.100375
Authors: Simon, L., Barreira, L., Kylämäki, K., Saarikoski, S., Aurela, M., Li, D., Järvinen, A., Kuutti, H., Honkisz, W., Jäppi, M., Salo, L., Rissanen, M., Červená, T., Vojtíšek, M., Topinka, J., Bielaczyc, P., Rönkkö, T., Aakko-Saksa, P., and Timonen, H. (2025)
