Clean Diesel Technology Is Overdue

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THE CENTRE FOR SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT (CSE), while welcoming the move of the Delhi government to control diesel emission, has proposed a two-point action programme to introduce ?clean? diesel technology and withdraw price incentive for diesel cars. It cites latest studies which prove the harmful effects of diesel fumes: one of these shows how vulnerable asthmatics are to diesel exhaust. It says diesel cars pollute more than petrol cars. Even Euro III diesel cars produce more toxic emissions than their petrol counterparts. The `clean? green technology enables cars to run on diesel with a sulphur content of less than 10 ppm and is fitted with advanced emission control devices like particulate traps. Otherwise, the diesel route should be prohibited.A flawed policy that keeps diesel tax nearly 40 per cent lower than petrol tax is encouraging dieselisation. It is high time fuel taxes and fuel prices are equalised. In Brazil, cars are not allowed to run on diesel because of lower taxes on diesel fuel. In Denmark diesel cars are taxed higher to offset the lower prices of diesel fuel. Therefore, the policy should levy higher tax on diesel fuel and diesel cars to prevent use of cheap and poor quality diesel in cars and persuade people to consider cleaner alternatives.CSE commends the Delhi government?s proactive move towards clearing the air in the national capital region -- especially in the light of the findings of a new study in the UK which shows how vulnerable asthmatics are to diesel exhaust. The Delhi government has recently demanded from the Union government, cleaner fuels and vehicle standards for the NCR or restraints on the growth of diesel car population in the region. A new analysis carried out by CSE bears out the significance of this move:An analysis of new emission data reveals that even Euro III diesel cars spew out emission, much more toxic. Investigations carried out by CSE, based on actual emission data available from the Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India, expose enormous difference in the actual emission levels of Euro III (Bharat Stage III) diesel and petrol cars that are currently sold in Delhi and other major Indian cities. Euro III diesel cars emit 7.5 times more toxic particulate matter (PM) than comparable petrol cars. This means, one diesel car is equal to adding 7.5 petrol cars to the car fleet in terms of PM emission and 3 petrol cars in terms of NOx emission. This clearly reflects the flawed emission standards that allow diesel cars to emit more NOx and PM compared to petrol cars. Total air toxics from a diesel car that are very harmful and carcinogenic are 7 times higher than that from petrol cars.Diesel-related emission is already very high in Delhi?s air. It is a matter of serious concern that the monthly average levels of tiny particulates, smaller than 2.5-micron size (PM2.5), that go deep inside lungs, have hit a dizzying height of 245 microgram per cubic metre in Delhi. The daily peaks can be at more than 600 microgram per cubic metre. The World Health Organization has said that there is no safe level for PM. Studies in the US show that even at very low concentrations and with an increase of only 10 microgram per cubic metre, PM 2.5 is associated with significant increases in health risks like asthma, lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and heart damage. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer. What?s worse, in Delhi, levels of nitrogen dioxides (NO2) are also spiralling and daily levels have hit 300 microgram per cubic metre. Both these pollutants dominate diesel exhaust emissions.New study and more clinching evidence prove the immediate harmful effects of diesel emission. Even as international regulatory and scientific agencies be-lieve that diesel exhaust is of sufficient concern to merit action, more stunning evidences have come last week from a study in England.Even low carbon emissions and greater fuel efficiency advantages of diesel cars are shrouded in doubt. Diesel cars are popular for their greater fuel efficiency and lower heat-trapping carbon emissions. ARAI data shows Euro III Indian diesel cars emit 1.2 times less carbon dioxide compared to their petrol counterparts. But even this benefit is at risk of being negated as diesel fuel has more carbon content than petrol. If more diesel fuel is burnt, as is likely given its cheaper price and the rising number of cars, the heat-trapping carbon emissions will increase. Moreover, even the carbon soot from diesel vehicles are now implicated for global warming.Countries like the US have moved towards stringent emission standards that are equal for all fuels. These can be met only with advanced emission control technologies and ultra low sulphur fuels. While Delhi?s diesel has such high sulphur content as 350 ppm, for diesel in Europe and the US, the levels are 10 ppm and 15 ppm, respectively.It is time to act. "Delhi?s pollution battle can turn very difficult if dieselisation of the car fleet is not checked right now," says Anumita Roy Chowdhury, head of CSE?s Right to Clean Air Campaign. Diesel cars account for nearly 30 per cent of the new car sales and are expected to touch 50 per cent by 2010. Other Indian cities are also at serious risk. Already, more than half of Indian cities have critical levels of particulates. Says Roychowdhury: "It is a myth that the diesel car technology that is available currently in India is clean. Immediate policy intervention is needed."