Title: The challenge of improving urban air quality: effects of hybrid cars, introduction in Barcelona and Madrid (Spain)

Authors: M. Gonçalves; P. Jiménez-Guerrero; J.M. Baldasano

Addresses: Environmental Modelling Laboratory, Technical University of Catalonia, C. Colom, 11, 08222 Terrassa, Spain; Barcelona Supercomputing Center - Centro Nacional de Supercomputación, Earth Sciences Department, Edif. Nexus II. C, Jordi Girona, 29. 08034 Barcelona, Spain ' Physics of the Earth, University of Murcia. Ed. CIOyN, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain ' Environmental Modelling Laboratory, Technical University of Catalonia, C. Colom, 11, 08222 Terrassa, Spain; Barcelona Supercomputing Center - Centro Nacional de Supercomputación, Earth Sciences Department, Edif. Nexus II. C, Jordi Girona, 29. 08034 Barcelona, Spain

Abstract: WRF-ARW/HERMES/CMAQ modelling system is applied with high resolution (1 km², 1 h) to assess changes in Madrid and Barcelona (Spain) air quality due to hybrid cars introduction. The substitution of the oldest cars by hybrids is effective to reduce NO₂ and PM_2.5 levels in the conurbations (up to 35%/12% in Madrid downtown, when 30% of cars are changed). In VOC-limited areas, as Barcelona, the NO_x emissions abatement locally increases tropospheric ozone concentration. Downwind, however, the precursors' emissions reduction leads to lower O₃ levels. Air quality models, applied with high resolution, prove to be useful tools to manage urban air quality.

Keywords: urban air quality; on-road traffic emissions; atmospheric modelling; environmental management; dispersion modelling; air pollution; Spain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2011.047327

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2011 Vol.47 No.1/2/3/4, pp.70 - 78

Published online: 30 Apr 2015 *

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