Car Removals Company presents: One of the worst side effects of modernisation is Air Pollution. Without realizing the risk factor, we have been responsible for polluting the air to such an extent that now every other person suffers from some or the other form of illness, allergy, or life threating disease related to Air pollution.
One of the major contributors to Air pollution is our vehicles. According to an article published in The Guardian, “Four million children develop asthma every year as a result of air pollution from cars and trucks, equivalent to 11,000 new cases a day, a landmark study has found. Most of the new cases occur in places where pollution levels are already below the World Health Organization limit, suggesting toxic air is even more harmful than previously thought.”
See: Causes of Vehicle Pollution, Impact on Environment and Corrective Measures
Mainly there are two types of emissions that have a negative impact on the environment.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions – includes carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane.
- Air Pollutant Emissions – includes carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and benzene.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
One of the largest greenhouse gas emission from a motor car is Carbon dioxide (CO2). In fact as per the Green vehicle Guide – An Australian Government initiative In 2017, the average combined CO2 emissions for a new light vehicle sold in Australia was 182 grams per kilometre (g/km). Carbon dioxide traps the additional heat from sun in the earth’s atmosphere and causes alteration in the environment. To combat greenhouse gas emissions, the Australian Design Rules require that all vehicles supplied to Australian market should have minimum of Euro 5. Euro level is a measurement of air pollution caused by vehicles. However, looking at the increasing air pollution, the need for Euro level 6 is felt.
Air Pollutants Emissions
The air pollutant life carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide pollute the air. Presence of smog is also a direct result of the presence of Air pollutants in large numbers. The result in poor air quality resulting in various health problems mainly related to respiration.
Another point to notice is that diesel run motor car is responsible for more Air_pollution than a petrol-based vehicle. With an increase in demand for a diesel vehicle, it is no wonder that motor car has become one of the major air pollutants.
To combat this, the Australian government is putting several measures in place. The National Transport Commission estimates that if Australian consumers purchased vehicles with best in class emissions, national average CO2emissions for new light vehicles would be over 50 percent lower.
See: The Current Recycling Crisis Faced by Australia and Ways to Tackle It
To combat the ill effects of motor vehicle pollution, the Australian Government has put an Australian Designer Rule or ADR in place. It is the job of this body to set the stringent standards for vehicles to enter the Australian Market. AS per the Department of Infrastructure, Regional development and Cities (AU), The current ADR addressing emission, noise, and fuel consumption under following labels
- ADR30/01—Smoke Emission Control for Diesel Vehicles
- ADR79/04—Emission Control for Light Vehicles (‘Full’ Euro 5—applicable to all vehicles manufactured from November 2016)
- ADR80/03—Emission Control for Heavy Vehicles (Euro V with equivalent US and Japanese alternatives)
- ADR81/02—Fuel Consumption Labelling for Light Vehicles
- ADR83/00—External Noise
Also, in an effort to create awareness amongst stakeholders, the Government of Australia has launched The Green Vehicle Guide. This website imparts information about vehicle impact on the environment from 2004 onwards. The website is updated regularly with the information on the latest model launched in Australia with detail information on the car’s performance. It also provides information on the fuel consumption and emission rate.
See: Ways in which recycling can help to improve the environment in Australia
As vehicle emissions control technology becomes more sophisticated, the quality of the fuels is critical. The Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 managed by the Department of the Environment provides the capacity for the Australian Government to set limits on those fuel parameters which impact on environmental/health objectives, vehicle technology, and vehicle operation. The standards in place for petrol, diesel, LPG and biodiesel address fuel properties that are considered important in facilitating the adoption of emerging vehicle engine and emission control technologies, and in managing ambient levels of pollutants identified as posing health and environmental problems.
