GO GREEN, DRIVE GREEN

Auto emission is a major contributor of air pollution (especially ozone smog) in our cities. Routine vehicle maintenance also creates hazardous wastes such as used motor oil, antifreeze, tires, etc that must be disposed of properly to prevent environmenta

A lthough necessary, our vehicles are very harmful to the environment. Experts believe air pollution in India is a serious issue, with one of the major sources being vehicle emission along with traffic congestion. In fact, air pollution is also the main cause of the ‘Asian Brown Cloud’, which is causing the monsoon to be delayed.

On the other hand, as the fuel prices continue to shoot, commuting is becoming a costly affair. Therefore, you may need to take a good look at the car you already have and ask a few question to yourself. Has your old car become a fuel guzzler and if it is emitting too much of smoke or making noise? Is the maintenance that you are paying is too much and is it worth keeping the car?

If the answers are in negative, then it’s time to say good bye to your existing car and buy a new one!

Of course, the best bet to buy a new car would be either a hybrid variant or vehicles which run on alternative fuels — Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) or electric.

The Central Government has remained committed to India’s vision of promoting hybrid and electric vehicles, and has launched a scheme for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India, better known as FAME India. Under the FAME scheme, the government offers incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles of up to Rs 29,000 for bikes and Rs 1.38 lakh for cars. With this is government has ensured that hybrid technology, while being clean and customer-friendly, also becomes more attractive and accessible.

To contain air pollution, in the budget for 2016-17, the Delhi Government slashed Value-Added Tax (VAT) rates from 12.5 per cent to 5 per cent on e-rickshaws, battery operated vehicles and hybrid vehicles. While the move aims at promoting health of the people and support ecofriendly modes of transport, it will largely reduce contamination of air. The state government has also launched ‘Odd-Even Scheme’ twice to put a tab on the increasing pollution level.

VANTAGE POINT

With the announcement of ‘Odd-Even Scheme’, the automobile market has witnessed a surge in the sale of environment-friendly vehicles — electrics, hybrids and especially CNG cars. Aimed at curbing pollution and vehicular traffic congestion, the scheme has prompted an increase in the number of car owners choosing to switch fuel.

CNG, no doubt, is a greener fuel. The emissions and hydrocarbons that are released as a by-product of CNG usage are lesser than those created by regular fuel. Therefore, for a common man, CNG is the most viable option. Gas comes cheap and offers more mileage than a traditional petrol car. Moreover, owning cars powered by CNG is one of the best ways of reducing your carbon footprint.

While one may consider fitting a CNG kit from any motor-mechanic shop for Rs 30,000-40,000, it will null your car’s warranty and may turn out to be a risky affair as such fitments are considered to be quite unsafe. Today, car manufacturers are offering various models from a small car, a hatchback, a compact sedan to even an MPV with an option of CNG. Therefore, it is best to go for a factory-fitted CNG kit.

Concurrently LPG, the next best alternative, doesn’t register much difference in the performance characteristics of the engine when compared with petrol.

Also, an empty tank of LPG weighs just about 20 kg — a third of a CNG tank — and is a lot more compact, leaving room for some luggage space in the boot. For hatchbacks in the city, a sizeable number at that, ensuring boot space is a huge advantage.

Hybrid cars, too, are becoming quite popular and more common. Basically, a hybrid car is one that uses two or more engines i.e. an electric motor and a conventional engine (either petrol or diesel). The electric engine powers the car at lower speeds and gas engine powers it at higher speeds. Hybrid cars not only conserve fuel but also produce less CO2 emissions.

POCKET FRIENDLY

No doubt, vehicles having green fuel kits make them easy on the pocket. With the prices of the oil heading north constantly, CNG seems like a good investment for those with regular usage. CNG facilitates high running with lower costs. On an average CNG costs around half or 1/3rd of the amount regular fuel.

Another important aspect to talk about is that, the price fluctuation of natural gas is less. Look back over the past few years and you’ll notice that petrol and diesel prices have been on a roller coaster ride, but CNG has a relatively linear movement. What also augurs well for CNG is that there is no lack of availability of the fuel in our country. India has the 7th largest reserves of CNG in the world, though most of it is untapped and needs investment. It is without doubt the fuel of the future and once it is available in abundance, its price, which is already lower than the others, would come down further.

Hybrid cars, on the other hand, are supported by many credits and incentives that help to make them affordable. Lower annual tax bills and exemption from congestion charges comes in the form of less amount of money spent on the fuel.

NO DOUBT, VEHICLES HAVING GREEN FUEL KITS MAKE THEM EASY ON THE POCKET. WITH THE PRICES OF THE OIL HEADING NORTH CONSTANTLY, CNG SEEMS LIKE A GOOD INVESTMENT FOR THOSE WITH REGULAR USAGE. CNG FACILITATES HIGH RUNNING WITH LOWER COSTS.

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