The research described in this paper aimed to verify the impact of road vehicle aging on air pollutant emissions. The problem of vehicle aging and the resulting changing air pollutant emissions was identified with the operational mileage of passenger cars. The validity of such an approach to research on air pollutant emissions changing over time was confirmed by a preliminary review of publications in scientific databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. The research problem presented in this paper was to assess the impact of vehicle aging on essential air pollutant emissions (CO, CO₂, NO_X). The research method included measuring the actual RDE air pollutant emissions using research equipment, i.e., the SEMTECH DS gaseous exhaust gas component analyzer. This study was conducted on vehicles with diesel engines, different operating ages, different mileages, and engines with similar displacement, mostly 1.9–2.0 dm³, and equipped with manual transmissions. The tests were conducted in the Poznań agglomeration. The results of measured air pollutant emissions in the RDE mode allowed for mapping the changes in air pollutant emissions for diesel engine vehicles with similar displacement as a function of operating age (mileage) and also for collecting preliminary data for analyses in the field of modeling road air pollutant emissions within the vehicle aging phenomenon.

The increasing number of vehicles operating in Poland, especially passenger vehicles, justifies the need to conduct air pollution emission tests in the context of the impact of vehicles on the natural environment. Firstly, this article reviews the publications related to air pollutant emissions and passenger vehicles traveling on Polish roads. However, it presents a special method using advanced research equipment to determine air pollutant emissions. The above research methods are justified in implementing clean transport zones. Real Driving Emissions represent an essential procedure in the implementation of clean transport zones in Poland, verifying the actual emissions of air pollutants and modeling this phenomenon using the results of real air pollutant emissions. The results of this research state that establishing a link between a vehicle’s air pollutant emissions and its age can support making transport or delivery planning more sustainable and choosing less carbon-intensive means of transport to reduce the negative impact of transport on the environment. The scientific novelty of the proposed solutions is the verification of the actual emissions of Euro 6 vehicles and the modeling of air pollutant emissions as a function of speed and acceleration. The research results are included in this article and will become input data for further analysis in examining the impact of vehicle operating age on air pollution emissions. Consequently, the novelty of the present research also lies in its focus on the verification of the impact of operating age, particularly in the context of vehicles exceeding 15 years of age, on air pollutant emissions. By establishing a correlation between a vehicle’s air pollutant emissions and its operating age, it becomes possible to make transport or delivery planning more sustainable. Furthermore, the selection of less carbon-intensive means of transport can contribute to reducing the negative impact of transport on the environment.

The paper presents an analytical method for determining the emissivity of transport modes, based on emissivity indicators for various vehicle types and statistical data. The method developed enables the determination of the emissivity of various vehicle types without the need to carry out tests on real vehicles. The purpose of this paper is to compare the vehicle emissivity results obtained using the developed analytical method with the real-world results obtained in RDE tests based on a case study, i.e. an analysis of the emissivity of passenger transport modes in Warsaw. The paper contains a summary of the results of measurements and calculations, as well as an analysis of potential areas of application for the developed analytical method.

The search for alternatives to fossil fuels has led to hydrogen becoming an important factor in the powering means of transportation. Its most effective application is in fuel cells. A single fuel cell is not a sufficient source of power, which is why a stack of fuel cells is the more common solution. Fuel cells are tested using single units, as this allows all cell parameters (the current density, flow rates and efficiency) to be evaluated. Therefore, the scalability of fuel cells is an essential factor. This paper analyses the scalability of fuel cells with a power of approximately 100 kW and 1.2 kW. Road tests of the fuel cells were compared with stationary tests, which allowed the load to be reproduced and scaled. This provided a representation of the scaled current and the scalable power of the fuel cell. The research provided voltage–current characteristics of fuel cell stacks and their individual equivalents. It was concluded that regardless of the power scaling or current values, the characteristics obtain similar patterns. A very important element of the research is the awareness of the properties of these cells (the number of cells and active charge exchange area) in order to compare the unit characteristics of fuel cells.

This paper investigates the application of high-capacity supercapacitors in railway systems, with a particular focus on their role in energy recovery during braking processes. The study highlights the potential for significant energy savings by capturing and storing energy generated through electrodynamic braking. Experimental measurements conducted on a diesel–electric multiple unit revealed that approximately 28.3% to 30.5% of the energy could be recovered from the traction network, regardless of the type of drive used—whether electric or diesel. This research also explores the integration of starch-based carbon as an electrode material in supercapacitors, offering an innovative, sustainable alternative to traditional graphite or graphene electrodes. The carbon material was obtained through a simple carbonization process, with experimental results demonstrating a material capacity of approximately 130 F/g. To quantify the energy recovery, calculations were made regarding the mass and power requirements of the supercapacitors. For the tested vehicle, it was estimated that around 28.7% of the energy could be recovered during the braking process. To store 15 kWh of energy, the total mass of the capacitors required is approximately 245.1 kg. The study emphasizes the importance of increasing voltage levels in railway systems, which can enhance energy transmission and utilization efficiency. Additionally, the paper discusses the necessity of controlled energy discharge, allowing for the flexible management of energy release to meet the varying power demands of trains. By integrating high-voltage supercapacitors and advanced materials like starch-based carbon, this research paves the way for more sustainable and efficient railway systems, contributing to the industry’s goals of reducing emissions and improving operational performance. The findings underscore the crucial role of these capacitors in modernizing railway infrastructure and promoting environmentally responsible transportation solutions.

The article presents a proprietary method for assessing the environmental impact of a hybrid rail vehicle utilizing both electric traction and an internal combustion engine for propulsion. Current efforts aimed at decarbonizing transportation have led to an increase in the production of electric...