Prospects of Inspection and Maintenance of Two-Wheelers in India

Abstract

Two-wheeler vehicles in Delhi, India-roughly 70% of the total vehicle fleet-are responsible for a significant portion of the city's vehicle emissions and petroleum consumption. An inspection and maintenance (I/M) program that ensures vehicle emission control systems are well maintained can complement other emission reduction strategies. This paper presents the initial findings of extensive data collected on vehicle characteristics and emissions for two-wheeler vehicles operating in Delhi in a series of I/M camps conducted by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and various partners in late 1999.The analysis shows idle HC and CO emissions [measured in terms of parts per million (ppm) and volume % (vol %), respectively] in a slow declining trend with subsequent model years, reflecting tighter emission standards and more advanced emission technologies. The I/M benefits-3 vol % and 39% reduction in idle and mass CO, respectively; 40 vol % and 22% reduction in idle and mass HC, respectively; and a 10-20% increase in fuel efficiency-were higher than those reported in the literature. Although these benefits are substantial, any implementation strategy needs to consider cost-effectiveness. In the present study, only 10% of vehicles-contributing 22% of the total vehicle emissions-failed the idle CO standard. Fleet emissions data variability necessitates a large sample size to develop a baseline for the vehicle fleet, but a smaller, scientifically designed sample and better data collection quality could periodically track the benefits at future camps. BACKGROUNDDelhi and other major Indian cities are among the most polluted cities in the world. Vehicles, which contributẽ 20% of total CO 2 emissions in India, are a major source of urban air pollution and its related health impacts. The annual averages of suspended PM concentrations in 1997 were recorded as 295 µg/m 3 in residential areas and 400 µg/m 3 in commercial areas. 1 They are higher than the Central Pollution Control Board limit of 150 µg/m 3 and much higher than the World Health Organization guidelines of 60-90 µg/m 3 . Two-wheeler vehicles, which account for ~70% of the total vehicle fleet, are responsible for a significant portion of the total vehicle emissions and petroleum consumption. It is estimated that, of the total annual vehicular emissions in Delhi, two-wheeler vehicles contribute 6% of the CO 2 , 27% of the CO, 21% of the PM, and 47% of the HC.

Climatic benefits of black carbon emission reduction when India adopts the US onroad emission level

“…In addition, considering the case of motor bikes, we can see that the emission factors for the motor bikes in US seems to be constant with the aging because the MOVES model does not incorporate age deterioration factor for motor bikes, however, the emission factors for motor bikes in India shows an increasing trend with an increasing age. In India, there is a significant share of on-road 2-stroke motor bikes as they are an attractive option to the middle and lower middle classes in India [33]. This is contrary to the motor bike ownership scenario in US where 2-stroke motor bikes are completely out of use and are superseded by 4-stroke motorbikes.…”

Analysis of black carbon and carbon monoxide observed over the Indian Ocean: Implications for emissions and photochemistry

“…Data on emissions from in‐use, small, internal combustion engines are sparse. Only recently have direct measurements proved that motorcycles and other two‐stroke engines discharge large amounts of pollution per unit of fuel consumed [ Patschull and Roth , 1995; Chan and Weaver , 1994; Chan et al , 1995; Weaver and Chan , 1996; Nuti , 1998; Tsai et al , 2000; Das et al , 2001]. Because intake and exhaust occur simultaneously in two‐stroke engines, some of the fresh charge mixes into the exhaust and is released to the atmosphere unburned.…”

“…This value lies between the numbers obtained by Bradley et al [1999] for direct measurements of CO emissions from vehicles in Bangkok, Thailand, 655 g(CO)/kg(fuel), and Katmandu, Nepal, 960 g(CO)/kg(fuel). Das et al [2001] measured CO emissions form 66,000 two‐wheelers in Delhi, and found an average of 3% by volume CO in the exhaust at idle. For a stoichiometric air/fuel mixture and a mean fuel formula of CH 2 , this corresponds to 790 g CO per kg fuel, essentially identical to our estimate.…”

Effects of gasoline aromatic content on emissions of volatile organic compounds and aldehydes from a four-stroke motorcycle

“…[6][7][8] Motorcycles with 50-125 cm 3 engine displacement are far more popular than heavy-duty motorcycles (displacement > 250 cm 3 ) in Taiwan and other Asian countries. With different engines and fuel supply systems, the emissions from cars and motorcycles are different.…”