The preheating emissions were compared to calculated emissions from driving to determine the driving distance corresponding to the preheating emissions under current emissions standards.
Publishing their findings in Atmospheric Environment: X, the researchers measured auxiliary heater (AH) particulate emissions from the preheating of three gasoline, and three diesel cars for a half an hour period. Preheating was carried out outdoors in sub-zero conditions, i.e., when preheating is recommended by the AH manufacturer.
In terms of particulate emissions, using an auxiliary heater for half an hour was equivalent to a 97-kilometre drive in a gasoline car, or to a 20-kilometre drive in a diesel car, under current emissions standards.
Read more at: University of Eastern Finland
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