TERI unveils study on vehicular emission control in India

The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), TERI University and The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) unveiled the findings of three studies based on vehicular emission control in India. Vehicle emission includes air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds and greenhouse gases which result in increased fog levels and substantially affect human health. Dr R K Pachauri, Director General of TERI stated, “A stringent approach for controlling vehicular emissions through benchmarking of technology and regulation can bring about major improvements, which would also carry significant health benefits for the population that is being exposed increasingly to the mounting emissions of harmful gasses from vehicles throughout the country”.

The study reveals that emissions will grow manifold and will offset the impact of control measures taken in the past. This will result in worsening the quality of air which is already alarmingly high. Particulate emissions (PM) came down since 2003, but nevertheless caused some 40,000 premature deaths each year in India. This PM level will return to 2003 levels within the next five years if new controls are not mandated. Emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which indirectly cause and exacerbate cardiopulmonary illnesses, has risen over the past decade and continues to do so. The growth of the passenger car market in the diesel segment increases PM and NOx emissions. Adoption of ultra-low sulphur fuels (10ppm) and Bharat VI standards is critical in reducing air pollution caused by vehicles in India. The session states that the benefits of better norms outweigh the costs associated with their implementation.