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How to reduce vehicle pollution: Effects and solutions

Team AckodriveJun 7, 2022

Vehicle-generated pollution contributes to more than 70% of the air pollution across the globe. The primary cause of vehicle fumes pollution is personal transportation. Devices such as catalytic converters and CNG kits have been a practical option but have a restricted effect on reducing pollution. Over time, the Indian government has taken necessary steps to reduce pollution, including innovations, alternative fuels, methods like carpooling, and others. This article provides you with a deep insight into how to reduce vehicle pollution.

Easy and quick ways to reduce vehicle carbon emissions

One of the most debated questions in the automobile industry in the past few years is how to reduce air pollution caused by vehicles? Manufacturers are constantly developing new technology and innovations to reduce vehicular carbon emissions. Below are some quick and easy methods for vehicle users to reduce vehicular air pollution.

Use vehicles approved as per the latest emission norms.
Carpooling is an effective way to reduce pollution and is cost-effective as well.
The use of CNG kit-fitted vehicles can help curb air pollution. CNG is an effective alternative fuel option to tackle pollution.
The use of zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars, electric scooters/bikes, and EV commercial vehicles can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Use of public transportation. If the public transportation system is robust, it can help reduce air pollution to significant levels.
Regular checkups and proper maintenance of personal vehicles can result in cleaner emissions. Poorly maintained cars are a source of higher amounts of pollution and therefore should be regularly maintained.
The use of catalytic converters can reduce air pollution from automobiles.

How to prevent smoke from vehicles?

Below are some of the ways to prevent exhaust smoke from vehicles.

Vehicle emission norms: Implementing the emission norm is a uniform and effective way to control pollution. It is categorised in the Environment Protection Act under Motor Vehicles rule and Air act, drafted in 1991. Since then, various modifications have been made, such as implementing EURO II norms and later BS III, IV, and VI norms to vehicles across various categories.
Alternate fuel: With the increase in pollution, CNG-fitted cars and electric vehicles are becoming the best alternatives to conventional petrol/diesel vehicles. Typically, CNG vehicles emit 5 to10% less CO2 (carbon) than fossil fuel cars. CNG vehicles can help reduce exhaust emissions by 75%. The cost-effectiveness of CNG is also a factor that makes it affordable and attractive for owners. Besides CNG, battery-powered public transport is another effective way to reduce the emission of smoke from vehicles.
Traffic management: This is one of the most underrated methods but can be immensely influential in pollution control. Seamless traffic management is one of the most important ways to reduce travel time while commuting, and subsequently, it increases the car’s fuel economy. As a whole, it leads to lower fuel consumption by vehicles and thus decreases the overall fuel usage and eventually emissions.
Technological innovation: Technological inventions such as the catalytic converter can help reduce vehicle emissions. Another significant technological advancement is the four-stroke engines, which have replaced two-stroke engines and thus made the vehicles more efficient and less polluting.

Vehicle pollution testing

Typically, vehicle pollution testing is carried out using an analyser connected to a computer. The analyser measures the pollutant level in the exhaust gas and displays the data on the computer screen. At the same time, the camera attached to the setup clicks a photo of the licence plate and records the registration number.

One needs to rev the engine at around 2,000 RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) for cars to check the pollutants accurately, which is a threshold for the combustion engine to start emitting exhaust gases. The analyser is then inserted into the exhaust pipe to check the level of pollutants.

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Recent efforts to regulate and to reduce motor vehicle-related pollution

The regulation of emission norms by tagging vehicles with Bharat Stage Emission Standards is one of the most effective ways to keep heavily polluting vehicles off the roads. This process of tagging vehicles is helpful as it requires the manufacturers to comply with the existing regulatory norms, thus providing customers with cleaner cars.

The digitisation of toll payment through FASTag is also an effective solution to the car idling caused due to long queues at toll booths. The use of digital payment makes it easier for vehicles to cross easily without waiting in extremely long queues.

Low and zero-emission vehicles (LEV/ZEV)

Low emission vehicles are vehicles that run on bio-fuel or hybrid engines. These vehicles are direct alternatives to conventional fuel, also known as lower emission vehicles.

Zero-emission vehicles are the ones that have no emission altogether, and they do not need any conventional fuel source. Apart from EVs, bicycles are also a zero-emission mode of transport. These vehicles have an onboard power course that powers the engine/motor and allow efficient power delivery.

Will electric vehicles really reduce pollution?

It's important to know that electric vehicles are zero-emission and not zero pollution. Pollution is part of the manufacturing process, and the reuse of the batteries is not fully efficient and always has residual waste. In contrast, only 5% of the product can be reused after continuous recycling.

In addition, 64.5% of energy production worldwide in the form of electricity is done traditionally using fossil fuels. It will remain a significant contributor to air pollution, and without curbing this, electric vehicles will fail to prove fully-green vehicles. Although the emission per kilometre for EVs is almost half of the usual fuel-driven cars, it does leave a carbon footprint in the form of manufacturing and sustainability options.

Also, read: How do electric cars work?

The vehicular emission norms in India

Here are the vehicular emission norms in India.

Bharat Stage emission norms are the legal benchmark necessity for any category of vehicles plying on Indian roads. These standards are in sync with the European emission standards and have seen similar and consecutive updates as its European counterpart.
The enactment of these norms started in 2000 with the implementation of Euro 1 norms in the form of BS I emission norms. Since then, the follow-up has been regular and in sync with the European standards over the years.
The permissible number of pollutants following the latest BS-VI norm is 60 mg for nitrogen oxide and 4.5 mg per km particulate matter for petrol vehicles, 80 mg for NO and 4.5 mg per km for particulate matter. The norms are also dependent on the vehicle and engine type.
These norms also dictate the use of particular technology for vehicles, such as a three-way catalytic converter and on-Board Diagnostic System (OBD) for all BS-6 compliant vehicles.

How can your driving help reduce air pollution?

Apart from the emission norms, proper maintenance of vehicles and pollution control devices, your driving behaviour can also play a crucial role in reducing air pollution. Below are some of the driving habits you can follow to reduce vehicular emissions.

Turning off the engine at the stoplight is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions due to idling.
Using quality fuel helps reduce the emission of pollutants and particulate matter. It can help prevent smoke from vehicles.
Following traffic rules and speed limits can help improve the engine’s efficiency and increase the vehicle’s economy while decreasing fuel usage.
Taking driving lessons and courses that teach about vehicle maintenance and effective driving techniques can help with economical driving.
Occasional carpooling or public transport usage is key to controlling pollution and zero-emission vehicles such as bicycles for short distances.

Tips to choose the right car to reduce emissions

With the variety of options available in the market, it is essential to buy a car that helps reduce pollution to keep the emission levels in check. However, the choice of vehicles should also be in accordance with the use; otherwise, the effectiveness is negligible. For instance, if the requirement for an individual is regular long-distance travel, then the best choice is a diesel car. It will provide for a better economy without the need for constant refuelling.

However, if the travel requirement is occasional short-distance then going for a refined fuel car as a petrol one is better. It delivers a refined driving experience and helps reduce pollutant emissions. Lastly, electric vehicles are the best options given that the travel destinations have charging facilities and a single charge covers the range while travelling.

Apart from air pollution, vehicles also contribute to the rapidly increasing noise pollution. In this section, we talk about ways to reduce vehicular noise pollution.

How to reduce noise pollution caused by vehicles?

Glance through the points below to understand different ways of reducing vehicular noise pollution.

Avoid using loud aftermarket exhaust for vehicles. These exhausts enhance the vehicle's sound and make it more presentable; however, they make it unnecessarily loud.
Maintain vehicles regularly. If any part makes a clunk noise or the engine sounds like it needs a repair, immediately visit the service centre to rectify it.
Avoid unnecessary honking. Some people have a terrible habit of honking uselessly at length. It is futile, and you should avoid it at all costs as it contributes largely to sound pollution.
One should avoid driving at high speeds and zooming past cars as it can be dangerous and increase air pollution.
Engine insulation is one of the most effective methods of reducing sound pollution. Modern cars come with adequate insulation and are not noisy in operation.
Carrying the prescribed payload may seem like a trivial step, but it helps reduce tire roll and eventually reduces noise pollution. It is effective as a large-scale method.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions related to vehicular air pollution.

What policies can a government use to reduce pollution?

Implementation of stringent emission norms, penalties for fouling them, and promotion for abiding by the regulation can help in effectively tackling pollution.

How to reduce diesel car emissions?

One of the most effective ways to tackle emissions from diesel cars is by installing a catalytic converter to remove pollutants from the exhaust gases and regularly maintain the engine.

How do you reduce emissions on a petrol car?

Using fuel additives, premium fuel, regular oil change, regular checkups, and car maintenance are some of the ways to help reduce petrol car emissions.

How engine pollution harms the environment and health?

Vehicle emission effects on air pollution contribute to global warming. It also degrades the quality of air and soil due to fossil fuel extraction and production. It also harms humans, as particulate matter from the exhaust can cause serious breathing issues and inflammatory illness. Noise pollution from vehicles also causes hearing loss and auditory problems.

What device reduces pollutants from car emissions?

Catalytic converters and onboard detection systems can help check and reduce pollutant emissions from cars.

Which fuel is best for vehicles to reduce pollution?

Alternative fuels such as CNG and hydrogen fuel cells can reduce pollution from vehicles.

Which type of vehicle has zero-emission?

Electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions.

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