Two-Wheelers: A Rising Air Pollution Concern?

Two-wheelers, such as scooters and motorbikes, are a major cause of air pollution in many cities. In Delhi, two-wheelers are responsible for a bulk of the automobile pollution, with their daily share of PM2.5 concentration varying between 49.3% and 53% during the week of Diwali. Two-wheelers also contribute significantly to pollution in other cities like Bangalore, where they are the biggest source of air pollution, accounting for 41% of particulate and 67% of nitrogen oxide levels in the air. The high sales of two-wheelers, with a 27.5% increase in the past five years, and their widespread use, with 37% of metropolitan commuters relying on them, have led to concerns about their impact on pollution. Experts emphasize the need to include two-wheelers in pollution control measures and improve their emission standards to mitigate their environmental impact.

Two-wheelers are a major cause of air pollution in Delhi

Two-wheelers, such as scooters and motorbikes, are a significant contributor to air pollution in Delhi, India's capital city. With over 55 lakh two-wheelers on Delhi's roads daily, these vehicles emit approximately 32% of air pollutants, surpassing diesel-run trucks (28%) and private cars (22%). The high pollution levels from two-wheelers are attributed to their large numbers, weaker emission standards, and the use of two-stroke engines, which burn a mixture of gasoline and oil, resulting in higher emissions.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has emphasised that two-wheelers pose an environmental hazard, and their impact on Delhi's air quality is a growing concern. The city's pollution levels, particularly during Diwali, are largely attributed to vehicles, with two-wheelers playing a significant role. Experts warn that the gains made from transitioning public transport to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in 1998 could be lost if cleaner fuel and compatible engines for two-wheelers are not prioritised.

Delhi's struggle with air pollution has led to the implementation of various measures, including the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme, which aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the road by allowing only certain licence plate numbers to operate on specific days. However, the exemption of two-wheelers from this scheme has limited its effectiveness in reducing air pollution. The lack of adequate public transport alternatives further challenges the efforts to decrease the number of two-wheelers on the roads.

To address the pollution caused by two-wheelers, there is a pressing need for stricter emission standards and the adoption of cleaner fuel and engine technologies. The Indian government has implemented the Bharat Stage (BS) emissions standards to regulate pollutants from combustion engine vehicles. The transition to BS VI standards by 2020 and the push for an electric-only future for automobiles by 2030 are positive steps towards reducing emissions. Additionally, post-emission solutions, such as catalytic converters, and engine-level solutions, such as engine oil additives, can help tackle pollution from two-wheelers.

Two-wheelers emit 32% of air pollutants in Delhi

Delhi, the capital territory of India, has been found to be the most polluted major city in the world. The poor air quality in Delhi has irreversibly damaged the lungs of 2.2 million children. Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi, with two-wheelers such as scooters and motorbikes being a significant part of the problem.

Two-wheelers emit nearly 32% of air pollutants in Delhi. This is a higher percentage than that contributed by diesel-run trucks (28%) and private cars (22%). Over 55 lakh two-wheelers run on Delhi roads every day, compared to 27 lakh private cars. Two-wheelers are used by 37% of metropolitan commuters and are owned by half of the households in India's bigger cities and developed rural areas.

The high level of pollution caused by two-wheelers is due to several factors, including engine technology, the total number of vehicles, the structure and age of the vehicles, and fuel quality. Two-wheelers still running on dirty Bharat Stage (BS) IV petrol emit black smoke daily and notoriously flout pollution checks. 75-80% of two-wheelers on the roads in some Asian cities have two-stroke engines, which are more polluting.

To combat this issue, the Indian government has implemented emissions standards to regulate pollutants emitted by combustion engine vehicles. In April 2017, India banned BS III-certified vehicles and introduced the higher BS IV emission standards. By April 2020, India aimed to adopt the BS VI standards, which require a reduction in particulate matter (82%) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) (68%) compared to BS IV. The energy department has also committed to an electric-only future for automobiles by 2030.

Despite these efforts, experts caution that the gains made from transport sector reforms could be lost if cleaner fuel and compatible engines for two-wheelers are not made available. The government has faced criticism for not including two-wheelers in vehicle rationing schemes and for the ineffectiveness of 'CNG Retrofitment Kits' for two-wheelers.

Two-wheelers have weaker emission standards than cars

Two-wheelers, such as scooters and motorbikes, have weaker emission standards than cars. They emit harmful pollutants, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to air pollution and have adverse health effects. In some Asian cities, two-wheelers make up 75-80% of the vehicles on the roads, and their emissions are a growing concern.

The emission standards for two-wheelers are regulated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in India and are based on Bharat Stage (BS) norms. These norms set the permissible limits for pollutants, including CO, HC, NOx, and particulate matter (PM). While India has made significant progress in tightening these standards, with the BS-VI norms being the most recent and stringent update, two-wheelers often lag behind cars in meeting these standards.

One reason for the weaker emission standards in two-wheelers is the slower adoption of cleaner fuel and compatible engines. For example, in 2016, India's odd-even vehicle rationing scheme did not include motorbikes and scooters, which was criticized by environmental experts. Additionally, two-stroke engines, which are more polluting, are still prevalent in two-wheelers, with 75-80% of them in some Asian cities using this type of engine.

Furthermore, the smaller size and lower mileage of two-wheelers compared to cars have led to their emissions being overlooked in the past. However, their contribution to overall traffic emissions has become disproportionately high, and they now need to be included in measures to control vehicular pollution. Experts caution that two-wheelers contribute to most factors determining vehicular pollution, including engine technology, the total number of vehicles, vehicle structure and age, and fuel quality.

To address the weaker emission standards in two-wheelers, several solutions are being explored. For instance, companies like BASF are collaborating with automakers to make two-wheelers emission-compliant in a cost-effective manner. Additionally, catalytic converters and engine oil additives are being used to reduce emissions in fuel-based two-wheelers. India is also committed to moving towards an electric-only future for automobiles by 2030, which will significantly reduce emissions from two-wheelers.

Two-wheelers are prime candidates for electrification

Two-wheelers, such as scooters and motorbikes, are a significant contributor to air pollution. In Delhi, for instance, over 55 lakh two-wheelers run on the roads every day, emitting nearly 32% of air pollutants. Two-wheelers are also a primary mode of transportation in regions like China, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, where they consume more than 50% of the total gasoline and account for 5-10% of CO2 emissions.

Given the environmental impact of two-wheelers, electrifying them becomes a viable strategy to reduce oil dependency and pollution caused by road transportation. Electric two-wheelers are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than their conventional counterparts. They are also becoming more cost-effective, with the price of e-bikes declining at a learning rate of 8%. The large-scale adoption of electric two-wheelers can reduce traffic noise and road congestion, although it may require adaptations in urban infrastructure and safety regulations.

To accelerate the transition to electric two-wheelers, government regulations and incentives are crucial. For instance, China's leadership in EV adoption rates is attributed to strong governmental support. Similarly, India has implemented the Bharat Stage (BS) emissions standards to regulate pollutants from combustion engines, with a ban on BS III-certified vehicles in 2017 and a target to adopt BS VI standards by 2020. India's energy department has also announced the FAME scheme, aiming for an electric-only future for automobiles by 2030.

Innovations in battery technology have addressed range limitations, with lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel-manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries offering 80-120 km per charge. Additionally, falling battery costs and regulatory initiatives like consumer subsidies further enhance the attractiveness of electric two-wheelers.

As the automotive industry embraces electrification, two-wheelers are prime candidates for this transformation. With their widespread use and significant contribution to pollution, electrifying two-wheelers can substantially reduce emissions and improve air quality, particularly in urban areas.

Two-wheelers are used by 37% of metropolitan commuters

Two-wheelers, such as scooters and motorbikes, are a significant contributor to air pollution in many parts of the world. In India, for instance, two-wheelers are used by 37% of metropolitan commuters and are owned by half of the households in the country's bigger cities and developed rural areas. This has led to concerns about their environmental impact, with experts cautioning that measures to control vehicular pollution must include two-wheelers.

The high usage of two-wheelers in India has resulted in them contributing significantly to air pollution. Data analysed by scientists shows that two-wheelers emit 30-32% of air pollutants, higher than diesel-run trucks (28%) and private cars (22%). In major Indian cities, two-thirds of the pollution load is attributed to two-wheelers, with 75-80% of them on the roads in some Asian cities having two-stroke engines, which are more polluting. The Indian government has implemented Bharat Stage (BS) emissions standards to regulate vehicle emissions, but many two-wheelers still run on older, dirtier BS IV petrol, exacerbating the pollution problem.

To address the pollution caused by two-wheelers, several strategies have been proposed and implemented. The Indian government has set ambitious targets for transitioning to cleaner fuel and engine technologies. By April 2020, the country aimed to adopt the BS VI standards, which mandate an 82% reduction in particulate matter and a 68% reduction in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) compared to BS IV. Additionally, India has committed to moving towards an electric-only future for automobiles by 2030 through initiatives like the FAME scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India).

While these measures are a step in the right direction, the implementation challenges are significant. Automakers are facing a race against time to upgrade engine technology to meet the stringent BS VI norms. Furthermore, the central government's launch of 'CNG Retrofitment Kits' for two-wheelers faced opposition from the AAP, which raised safety concerns and barred their installation. This controversy highlights the complexities of implementing pollution control measures and the need for collaboration between different stakeholders.

In conclusion, two-wheelers are a popular mode of transportation for metropolitan commuters, especially in countries like India. However, their widespread use has led to concerns about air pollution. To mitigate this issue, governments and industries are working towards cleaner fuel and engine solutions, as well as promoting alternative transportation methods like bicycles and electric scooters. By addressing the environmental impact of two-wheelers and encouraging the adoption of more sustainable options, we can work towards improving air quality in metropolitan areas.

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