New cars pollute more than old ones: Study
As Reported in Times of India, 2 Jun 2008, 0000 hrs IST
,TNN
In a complete reversal of international trends, new cars in India are
spewing more greenhouse gasses than older models, pushing up
emissions in Delhi alone by 72% in five years (2002-07), the Centre
for Science and Environment said on Monday, releasing its analysis of
emissions data accessed from the Automotive Research Association of
India.
Emissions from two-wheelers in the same period, in comparison, have
gone up by 61%, the analysis said.
For the consumer, this might be a pointer to deteriorating fuel
efficiency of new cars as well — emissions of carbon-dioxide are
closely linked to the fuel efficiency of vehicles.
The ARAI had clubbed data of vehicles of different periods that CSE
accessed. The cars and two-wheelers had been classified into groups
ranging from 1991-96, 1996-2000, post 2000 and post 2005.
The post 2000 petrol cars, with engine size more than 1,400 cc, emit
143 gm/km of CO2. In comparison, post 2005 models of same engine size
emit 173 gm/km, CSE said.
Extrapolating the emission statistics for fuel efficiency, CSE said
the figures implied that fuel economy had dropped in these cars from
16 km/litre to 13 km/litre.
But Anumita Roychowdhury, of CSE's Right to Clean Air Campaign,
said, "This data is extrapolation... The ministry of surface
transport has refused to share actual data."
Auto manufacturers share fuel economy data for car models at the time
of certification of new vehicles with the government.
"But the ministry withheld this information under the Right to
Information Act, calling it of commercial importance and third party
information. This data is routinely published in other countries to
help consumers select fuel efficient vehicles and help governments
set up fuel economy standards," she added.
"At a time when we are talking of an oil crisis, it is callous for
the government and industry to not even share data on fuel efficiency
with the public," said Roychowdhury.