What is the history of Emission Norms in India? What are the parameters determining Emissions from Vehicles? How do we meet the objective of reducing vehicular emissions in India? How are emissions from motor vehicles controlled? What is a catalyst and how does it perform in a Vehicle? Do catalytic converters reduce the drive ability and performance of the vehicle and intern increase fuel consumption? Do modern catalytic converters perform on short journeys? In a modern catalyst–equipped vehicles can we use lead replacement additives or new lead replacement petrol (LRP)? Are catalytic converters fragile? Do they need frequent replacement? In case of an accident, if the catalytic converter is damaged would the replacement catalyst used on the vehicle function as effectively as the original converter? How can you avoid the catalytic converter getting damaged by dangerous particles emitted from the engine? What is the time span for a Diesel Particulate Filter to get plugged? Is the catalytic converter helpful to health and the environment? Which are the major contributors that effect health from Automotive Emissions? During mining and refining of precious metals, which form a part of the catalytic converter, is higher pollution emitted than what they help in removing from the engine exhaust?

Question - What is the history of Emission Norms in India?

Answer - In 1991, first stage Emissions Norms came into force for petrol vehicles and in the year 1992 for Diesel Vehicles. From April 1995 Fitment of Catalytic Converters was mandatory for all passenger cars sold in the Four Metros i.e. Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, & Mumbai along with supply of unleaded petrol (ULP). In the year 2000, Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles have met Euro – I equivalent to India 2000 Norms, while 2 wheelers have met one of the tightest emission norms in the World. Euro – II equivalent Bharat Stage – II are in force from 2001 in the above Metros. From 1st April 2003 major towns of Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra were added. The rest of the country would come under Bharat Stage – II from 2005.


Question - What are the parameters determining Emissions from Vehicles?

Answer - Vehicular Technology, Fuel Quality, Inspection & Maintenance of In-Use Vehicles and Road and Traffic Management are the major parameters, which determine emissions from Vehicles. While each one of the four factors have direct environmental implications, the vehicle and fuel systems have to be addressed as a whole and jointly optimized in order to achieve significant reduction in emissions.


Question - How do we meet the objective of reducing vehicular emissions in India?

Answer - Introducing vehicles designed to meet stricter emission standards, introducing unleaded fuels for the rapid reduction of atmospheric lead and retrofitting motor vehicles to use other kinds of fuel modifications or fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane. Enforcing higher maintenance standards on existing vehicles, in order to keep emissions closer to the design standards of the vehicles.


Question - How are emissions from motor vehicles controlled?

Answer - A wide range of measures is being under taken to control air pollution from motor vehicles. Major measures are as under:

Question - What is a catalyst and how does it perform in a Vehicle?

Answer - A catalyst helps substances react together while itself remaining unchanged in the process. In an automobile catalytic converter, the catalyst helps the pollutants i.e. unburned Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Oxides react with each other and with Oxygen from the atmosphere to form less harmful compounds like Water, Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen.


Question - Do catalytic converters reduce the drive ability and performance of the vehicle and intern increase fuel consumption?

Answer - With modern technology, the catalytic converters are designed as an integral part of the exhaust system as such they do not “sap power”. In case fuel economy which is very vital in today’s stage and lower exhaust emissions were not very important to preserve our environment then the modern high speed engines could generate more power. However, with today’s fuel management and advanced electronics being applied the modern engine technology shows that the engine performs better both in fuel economy as well as power then its predecessors wherein catalytic converters were not being used.


Question - Do modern catalytic converters perform on short journeys?

Answer - Yes. Although modern catalytic converters need a moderately hot exhaust to start working with the available technology this happens within a short span of 30 seconds of the start of the engine. Thus it is a myth that catalytic converters do not work on short journeys.


Question - In a modern catalyst–equipped vehicles can we use lead replacement additives or new lead replacement petrol (LRP)?

Answer - The lead replacement additives as well as petrol have totally different chemistries, which would react negatively with the catalyst-equipped vehicle. As such this should be totally avoided, as it would damage the catalytic converter. These additives were particularly designed for vehicles that were not equipped with the modern catalytic converters.


Question - Are catalytic converters fragile? Do they need frequent replacement?

Answer - The modern catalytic converter is one of the most reliable elements in the engine management system. It is very robust since it is normally placed in a metal housing and has a lifespan of over 100,000 Kms.


Question - In case of an accident, if the catalytic converter is damaged would the replacement catalyst used on the vehicle function as effectively as the original converter?

Answer - Catalytic converters obtained thru authorized vehicle dealers are the most authentic way to ensure that the replaced converter is functioning as effectively as the original. It is not recommended to use second-hand converters, even if dimensionally there is no difference as each converter is developed and designed keeping the engines power and exhaust gases in mind.


Question - How can you avoid the catalytic converter getting damaged by dangerous particles emitted from the engine?

Answer - The use of a particulate filter is the best way to avoid damage to the catalytic system. This consist of positioning a filter in the exhaust line which is designed to collect both solid and liquid particulate matter (PM) emissions but allowing the exhaust gases to go through. A large number of Diesel vehicles are now being fitted with such Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF).


Question - What is the time span for a Diesel Particulate Filter to get plugged?

Answer - These filters primarily retain minute particles of soot, lube-oil ashes, engine wear products as well as fuel borne catalyst ashes. Further catalytic soot burning allows regeneration of its efficiency. Normally maintenance should be done every 100,000 Kms.


Question - Is the catalytic converter helpful to health and the environment?

Answer - Yes, otherwise harmful polluting gases like Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons and Nitrogen Oxides would get emitted into the atmosphere if the modern vehicles were not fitted with Catalytic Converters. In fact it has become mandatory to fit catalytic converters in order to remove such polluting gases.


Question - Which are the major contributors that effect health from Automotive Emissions?

Answer - Lead, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Benzene and Particulates are the major contributors, which effects health.

Question - During mining and refining of precious metals, which form a part of the catalytic converter, is higher pollution emitted than what they help in removing from the engine exhaust?

Answer - Research has shown that after initial bedding in (approx. 5000 Kms.) catalytic converters certainly contribute to improve the environment. This is due to the acidification potential of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions removed from the exhausts by use of auto catalysts and the sulphur oxides (SOx) emitted during the refining of these precious metals.