What is the impact of idling on vehicle emissions?

Idling increases emissions unnecessarily because when a vehicle's engine is running while the vehicle is stationary, it is still consuming fuel and producing emissions without contributing to any movement. This idle state results in the release of harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter into the atmosphere.

The process of combustion in the engine continues as it would during normal driving, but without the benefit of driving efficiency that comes from the vehicle being in motion. Therefore, prolonged idling creates an excess of emissions, contributing negatively to air quality and environmental health. This understanding highlights the importance of minimizing idling time to reduce overall vehicle emissions and improve air quality in communities.