How banning diesel cars would benefit NE

TNT News

It might be about time for the Northeast too to get rid of old vehicles that are already pass beyond their driveable age limits.

While the decision was welcomed by the state government as well as experts, who also called for tightening emission norms along with banning entry of trucks and buses that aggravate the environmental damage, other states in India too should embrace this move as vehicles over a certain period become hazardous emitting harmful toxins over the course of time.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar passed the order and asked all the transport authorities concerned to give details of all such vehicles. The tribunal had, late last year, banned petrol vehicles over 15 years old in the national capital, so with this new law there is little respite in terms of pollution control.

In Shillong and other towns of the Northeast, buying diesel cars have somewhat become a trend. The traffic congestion has already hampered movement in these towns, and pollution level is ever increasing as cars are being sold in scores. People think that diesel engine cars are easy on the pockets but there are certain things that many wouldn't know the setbacks these cars bring along.

For those who think that clean diesel technologies have improved the quality of clean air emissions in diesel powered vehicles considerably in recent years, there are some facts you should be aware of.

Diesel cars increases air pollution.

Many car buyers only compare the fuel economy of the vehicles they are considering. While diesel fuel generally produces more energy or miles per gallon than gasoline, it also has a much higher carbon content. In fact, diesel fuel produces approximately 13 percent more CO2 gas per gallon of fuel burned, compared to gas engines.

Creates more oil dependence

In addition to creating more CO2 gas, diesel fuel can also lead to greater oil dependence than fuel-efficient gasoline engine powered vehicles or hybrid vehicles. A joint Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy study showed that about 13 percent more raw crude oil is needed to produce a gallon of diesel fuel than is needed to make 1 gallon of gasoline. Therefore, unless the MPG difference between a diesel and gasoline engine powered vehicle is significant, a diesel powered vehicle will actually consume more crude oil.

Diesel cars increase carbon footprint

Because even clean diesel powered vehicles create more CO2 gas than fuel-efficient gasoline powered vehicles or hybrid vehicles, they also have a larger carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of a vehicle provides the best estimate of how much greenhouse gas pollution a particular vehicle will produce.

Even diesel cars can cause illness

Although modern clean diesel is much better than the diesel fuel that was created and formulated in past years, exhaust from diesel engines can still cause serious illness. Breathing in even relatively small amounts of diesel exhaust can cause serious illness–especially in children, the elderly or the chronically ill. Even very short term exposure can cause existing allergies to worsen or cause symptoms of asthma or bronchitis.

(With inputs from agencies)