Indian's Updates: India can cut vehicular emission through robust inspection and maintenance of on-road vehicles: Study (8 Mar 2013)

India can cut vehicular emission through robust inspection and maintenance of on-road vehicles: Study

ByNandini Sen Gupta, TNN | Mar 8, 2013, 03.12 PM IST

CHENNAI: India can significantly cut down on vehicular emissions if it adopts a stringent and robust vehicle inspection-and-maintenance (I&M) programme, says a recent study by consultancy firm AT Kearney in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry. A clear cut I&M regime along with structured recycling programs, and organized fleet-modernization drives can lead to "13-18 million tonne of CO2 abatement, about 0.5 million-tonne reduction of combined HC, NOx, and CO emissions, and 10-15 million kg reduction of PM emissions," estimated the report.


The auto industry has, for a long time, pressed for a structured I&M regime in India which would not only take polluting older generation vehicles off the roads but also encourage the sale of new generation higher technology new vehicles. 

Of course adopting a structured regime for I&M won't come cheap but its savings spin offs will be substantial. " While investments of Rs 8000-10,000 crore might be required to establish I&M centres across the country, effective I&M practices can improve fuel economy and eventually lead to Rs 2000-3000 crore net cost savings for the country," said the report. 

A structured maintenance regime including the systematic recycling of vehicles can also maximize the recovery of scrap material at the end of their useful lives, said the report. This is turn will save resources and energy and result in 6-8 million tonne of CO2 reduction. Along with increased use of greener vehicle technology alongside improved mobility infrastructure, better management of in-use vehicles can lead to an overall 80-100 million tonne reduction in CO2 emissions over the base projections for the year 2020, said the report. 

However for the entire effort to be effective the "implementation will require a collaborative effort from the government, industry, and end users," said the report. The net annual cost for the entire effort is pegged at Rs 8,000-12,000 crore (net of all taxes, subsidies, and duties). "While some of this can be passed on to consumers, the government must also do its part by offering tax breaks, subsidizing green technologies, and investing in infrastructure improvements," it added.

Source: 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/global-warming/India-can-cut-vehicular-emission-through-robust-inspection-and-maintenance-of-on-road-vehicles-Study/articleshow/18863389.cms