CSE calls to reduce toxic air pollutants

While the country has made faster strides in setting emission standards, which would reduce toxic emissions, members of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) say that the agency has made special efforts to improve fuel efficacy.

“This is a matter of serious concern. As vehicle numbers and freight transport are growing rapidly, leading to an exponential rise in fuel consumption at a time when the country needs to raise its ambition for de-carbonisation. Moreover, if fuel guzzling is not tamed, it can directly hurt consumers especially when fuel prices are skyrocketing,” said CSE executive director Anumita Roychowdhury,

As per the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) India Energy Outlook 2021, the energy demand for road transport is projected to more than double over the next two decades, based on the present policy settings. A total of 300 million vehicles of all types will be added to India’s fleet between now and 2040. Oil demand is expected to increase by almost four million barrels per day in 2040; this could be the largest increase for any country.

The first-ever Corporate Average Fuel Consumption (CAFC) standards for passenger cars were implemented in 2017-18. Stage 2 standards are scheduled for implementation in 2022-23. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency estimates that these standards can lead to a reduction of 22.97 million tonnes in fuel consumption by 2025.

The CAFC standards are weighed more towards sales and are different from the Bharat Stage emissions standards, said Anumita. Each model of vehicle has to comply with the norms based on lab tests.