Vehicles are a special problem as they emit in the breathing zone of people. A large number of studies are now available that show exposure to vehicle exhaust causes significant increase in respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment, cancer and plethora of other ailments.
Indian evidences have also begun to emerge. Congestion further aggravates emissions. Low average speeds due to traffic congestion increases the emissions due to the stop-and-go pattern of traffic flow in congested condition.
Leapfrog to clean vehicle technology and fuels and fuel efficient vehicles. Small gains are easily offset by the growing traffic volumes. Indian regulations instead of pushing the automobile industry to catch up with the global best standards, fall short of what the industry is capable of achieving.
MORE +Hell broke lose when the environment minister Jairam Ramesh called SUVs criminal for guzzling cheap subsidized diesel. He is right -- The real beneficiaries of the diesel subsidy are the owners of "BMWs, Benz and Hondas'', and not the farmers. He pitched for reforms in diesel prices; penalty on those who use subsidized diesel for luxury use in SUVs.
MORE +VIVA: India's first quick charging station for electric vehicles now commercially available
ViVa or Vidyut Vahan is India's first quick charging electric vehicles. ViVa takes 90 per cent less time to charge. An electric rickshaw can be charged in 80 minutes, instead of 10 hours it takes now.
Anumita Roy Chowdhury reacts to Global burden of Health Study
The Centre for Science and Environment demands urgent intervention and action in view of the results from the new analysis of global burden of disease (GBD) estimates released by the US based Health Effect Institute (HEI) today.
Rain, Rain,
Go Away...
A Journey through
Seasons with
Composting Tips for
Budding Eco-Warriors
Reaching a milestone in emission standards
CSE's consistent advocacy has led to a Supreme Court order that directed that only BS-VI vehicles (running on petrol or diesel with 10 ppm sulphur)