Vehicular Emission Norms

Vehicular Emission Norms

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VEHICULAR EMISSION NORMS

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In 1991 the first State emission norms came into force for Petrol vehicles and in 1992 for Diesel vehicles.

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From April 1995, fitting of catalytic converters in new Petrol driven passenger cars was mandated in the four Metros and also introduction of unleaded petrol.

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From April 2000, unleaded petrol is available in the country.

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In developed countries lead was phased out from petrol over a period of more than 10 years, while in India this was achieved just in 6 years.

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The comparative statement of emission norms as under, indicates that the time gap between the introduction of norms in Europe and our country is narrowing: Euro I

Euro I

Euro II

Euro III

European Norms

1983

1992

199697

20002001

Indian Norms

1996

1.4.2000

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* Bharat Stage–II norms, which are akin to Euro-II norms have been introduced in National Capital Region(NCR) for passenger vehicles upto GVW 3.5T from 1.4.2000 and for heavier vehicles from 24.10.2001 in National Capital Territory(NCT) of Delhi.

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In case of Mumbai, these have been extended from 1.1.2001 and 31.10.2001 respectively.

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For both Chennai and Kolkata, the corresponding dates are 1.7.2001 and 31.10.2001 respectively other than NCT of Delhi.

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These norms have further been extended to Agra, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad / Secundrabad,

Kanpur, Pune and Surat from 1.4.2003, and Lucknow and Sholapur from 1.6.2004 for all category of vehicles.

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The transport vehicles plying on inter-State permits or on National Permits or on All India Tourist Permits or plying from these cities to the other regions of the respective States have been exempted.

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Bharat Stage-II emission norms have been extended to entire country vide Gazette Notification No. G.S.R. 927 (E) dated 5.12.2003 and these has become effective from 1.4.2005.

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Basically Bharat Stage-II norms involve supply of Petrol and Diesel with 0.05% sulphur content.

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In rest of the country, petrol has a Sulphur content of 0.1% with effect from 1.4.2000 as against 0.05% in these cities and NCR of Delhi.

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Similarly, Sulphur content in diesel have been reduced in the country, from a level of 1.0% maximum in 1996 to 0.25% on 1.4.2000.

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In respect of NCT of Delhi and the above mentioned cities the sulphur content in Diesel is similarly 0.05%.

** Bharat Stage-III emission norms have been introduced with effect from 1-4-2005 in respect of Four Wheeled vehicles manufactured on and from 1st April, 2005 in the National Capital Region and the cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad including Secundrabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra except for four wheeled transport vehicles plying on Inter-State Permits or National Permits or All India Tourist Permits within the jurisdiction of these cities.

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In addition to petrol and diesel, CNG and LPG are permitted to be used as auto fuels. Alternative fuels like di-methyl ether, bio-diesel, hydrogen, electric and fuel cell vehicles etc., are at various stages of experimentation.

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The emission norms for tractors were first notified in the year 1999. The next generation norms have been laid down. While Bharat (Trem) Stage II norms have come into force from 01.06.2003, the Bharat (Trem) Stage III norms has come into force from 01.10.2005.

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Next generation emission norms for two-wheelers and three-wheelers manufactured on and after 1.4.2005 have been notified.

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Steps for curbing menace of vehicular pollution This Department has taken several steps in this direction. •

Workshop-cum-training programmes are organized every year (two each at ARAI, Pune and IIP, Dehradun). In these workshops, officers of the State Transport Department are given training regarding checking of vehicular pollution

more scientifically and effectively. •

Fitness norms for commercial vehicles have been tightened with effect from 28th March, 2001

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Pollution Under Control (PUC) Norms

Stricter PUC norms for in use motor vehicles have been notified vide Gazette Notification No. G.S.R. 111(E) dated 10.2.2004. These norms have come into force from 1st October, 2004.

Vehicular Exhaust and Air Pollution Introduction Individual tailpipe emissions Transport and fate in the environment Measuring exposures Prevention and control of exposure Exposure Pathway Risk assessment Adverse effects Harmful Effects Dose Response Absorption, Metabolism and Molecular Mechanisms of Action Organ Sites of Toxicity Biomarkers 5103 Home Individual Tailpipe Emissions The combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles for the reason of transportation is the single largest source of human-made greenhouse gases. Scientific evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that the emission and accumulation of these greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is raising the earth’s average temperature and impacting the overall climate. To assess transportations role in global warming and air pollution, emissions of greenhouse gases for a particular fuel source should be measured using the “full fuel-cycle estimates”. These estimates measure the total emissions of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases – primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) – from wells to wheels and the vehicle cycle through material recovery and vehicle disposal needs. This allows for a more accurate comparison between fuel sources in estimating the over pollution impact on the environment. http://www.transportation.anl.gov/greet/ These CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases are described as follows: •

Carbon dioxide – released during the combustion of solid waste, wood, and fossil fuels. Twentypercent of the total CO2 emissions in the United States come from cars and light trucks.

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Methane – emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Other sources may include the decomposition of organic wastes in landfills and the raising of livestock.

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Nitrous oxide – emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during the combustion of fossil fuels. Nitrous oxide plays a key role in the disruption of the ozone cycle, producing elevated level of ozone in the troposphere.

http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/emissions.html The “full fuel-cycle estimates” also consider the emissions of five criteria pollutants: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NOx), particulate matter size smaller than 10 microns (PM10), and sulfar oxides (SOx). These criteria pollutants are described as follows: •

Volatile organic compounds – Organic compounds that evaporate readily into the atmosphere at normal temperatures. VOCs contribute significantly to photochemical smog production and certain health problems.

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Carbon monoxide – forms when carbon in fuel is not completely combusted. The EPA estimates that in major cities as much as 95 percent of carbon monoxide is released from mobile sources. Carbon monoxide exposure can reduce the amount oxygen delivered to organs and tissues, and can be harmful to those suffering from heart and respiratory disease.

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Nitrogen Oxide – are formed when fuels burn at high temperatures, such as in motor vehicles. Mobile sources produce more than 50 percent of all nitro oxide emissions in the United States, one of the largest contributors to smog formation in large cities.

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Particulate Matter – consist of minute particulate matter or liquid droplets in the air that contains a variety of chemical components. Larger particulate matter may settle out more rapidly than small matter. Diesel-powered vehicles and engines contribute more than 50% of the particulate matter emitted in the United States. Particles less than 10 microns in diameter pose a significant health risk and have been linked with illnesses and deaths from heart and lung disease.

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Sulfur Oxides – formed when fuel containing sulfur is burned during metal smelting and other industrial processes. Transportation sources contribute less than 10 percent of sulfur oxides emitted into the atmosphere. Exposure to sulfur oxides may cause wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Long-term exposures may result in aggravation of existing cardiovascular disease or respiratory illnesses. http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ActionsTransportation.html

The Bush Administration has rejected participation in the Kyoto protocol – a protocol, if signed, that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 5 percent below 1990 levels in the commitment period 2008 to 2012. This reluctance to participate in the Kyoto protocol has drawn sharp criticism from ranking members of Congress. http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/pdfs/pdf_politics_and_science_rep.pdff