CNG vehicles emit more pollutants than you think: Study from Delhi-Gurgaon shows

A recent study has revealed that the emissions from vehicles on the road are significantly higher than those recorded in laboratory tests. The study, part of The Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) Initiative, was conducted in collaboration with authorities in Delhi and Gurugram, utilizing remote sensing technology to measure real-world emissions from vehicles.

Vehicle NOx emissions: BS-VI way more cleaner than BS-IV vehicles

The findings from the study, analyzed by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), showed that nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from BS-VI private cars are 81 percent lower than those from BS-IV cars. Similarly, BS-VI buses produce 95 percent less NOx compared to BS-IV buses.

Vehicle NOx emissions: Time to rethink CNG?

The study also found that vehicles powered by CNG, which is considered a cleaner alternative, emit high levels of NOx. This challenges the perception of CNG as a ‘clean’ fuel. For instance, Class II light goods vehicles were found to emit up to 14.2 times their NOx limits in lab tests, while taxis emitted four times the amount. These findings highlight the importance of focusing on actual emissions from vehicles on the road, rather than relying solely on laboratory results, to improve air quality.

Commercial vehicles, such as taxis and light goods vehicles, were found to emit significantly more NOx than private cars, even when meeting the same emission standards.
The release of this report comes at a critical time, as the Supreme Court recently directed the finalization of the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 170 and the implementation of remote sensing in the National Capital Region. AIS 170 will establish the technical parameters for remote sensing devices, enabling authorities to measure vehicle emissions in real time. Inputs from PTI.