A new focus on emissions

Cleaning up cold starts, adding precision are some of the strategies being employed by powertrain and controls engineers to further cut exhaust pollutants.

Automakers continue to reduce emissions levels, a trend that has driven a greater than 90% reduction in tailpipe pollutants since the first regulations took effect in 1966. Much of the current focus is on reducing discharge when engines are started, though engineers are also looking at techniques for more precisely controlling fuel injection and combustion.

Growing evidence of global warming and predictions that there will be a billion cars on the planet by 2020 are likely to spur legislators to pressure automakers to continue to mandate cuts in the air pollution generated by cars. These concerns also make it less likely that looming regulations will be delayed.