How To Reduce Pollution From Cars

There is no denying that motor vehicles have eased the ways of travelling for all of us. However, little do we know the consequences of using motor vehicles if not used wisely. 

Pollution is one of the gravest problems that we are dealing with in today’s time. Of this, air pollution is perhaps the most pressing, and most closely tied to individual action. About 70% of air pollution is caused due to harmful emissions from vehicles. Surprised, right? The reason for this is several such as the use of internal combustion engines, misuse of motor vehicles, and many more.

Keeping in mind the adverse effects of motor vehicles on the environment, we have tried to compile a list of tips that will help in reducing the pollution caused due to cars and other vehicles. So, read through the section below to know all about the different ways of reducing air pollution. 

Tips To Reduce Pollution From Cars

Here are some measures that can be taken to reduce the emissions from your car. A handful of precautions can ensure that the negative environmental impact of your car is reduced. So, adopt these tips in your daily life:

1. Get A Pollution Under Control Certificate

First and foremost, as a car owner, it is your responsibility to get pollution under-control certificates or PUC for your vehicle. With a pollution under control certificate, you will be able to understand whether the emissions from your vehicle are under permissible limits or not. If the emissions are not under the limit, then it is better to get your vehicle serviced or replaced.

2. Use Environmental Friendly Fuel

In light of the rising environmental issues, there are environmental-friendly fuels that have come into the limelight. Environmental-friendly fuels such as CNG emit less harmful gases and are thus preferred over petrol and diesel. Moreover, you can also use alternatives like battery-powered vehicles which are environmentally friendly. 

3. Regular Car Maintenance

Accumulating debris and dust in a car often leads to increased polluting emissions. This can be minimized by having your car regularly maintained, which ensures that consumables are repaired or replaced. Thus, it is imperative to have your car regularly and seasonally maintained to ensure its good condition and to reduce the harmful emissions that it would otherwise cause.

4. Switch Off The Engine When Not Needed

There are often times such as when you wait at the traffic signal during which the car’s engine is left on. During such times, the fuel of cars gets wasted and also produces harmful emissions. So, during such times, it is better to turn off the engine and save both fuel and the environment. Aside from adopting environmentally-friendly habits like carpooling, turning off the engine at stops such as red lights helps a lot to save energy as well.

5. Maintain A Constant Speed

Did you know that driving at a high speed and taking constant breaks can lead to greater consumption of fuel? Yes, you have got us right! So, in order to reduce harmful emissions from cars, it is better to maintain a constant speed. A constant speed means lesser consumption of fuels and this means reduced emission of harmful gasses. Moreover, you should also apply steady brakes as compared to abrupt ones, as doing so also helps in lesser consumption of fuel. 

6. Avoid Rush-Traffic Hours

Traffic-jams are extremely tiring for all of us. Agreed? Traffic jams are tiring for your vehicles too. Applying constant brakes, leaving your engine turned on and other things lead to increased fuel consumption during rush traffic hours. So, the next time you plan to move out, it is better to avoid rush-traffic hours in order to reduce harmful emissions from your car.

 How to Prevent Smoke From Vehicles?

In order to prevent smoke from your vehicle, keep the following things in mind:

• Regular Car Maintenance: Getting your car maintenance done regularly also plays a crucial role in reducing emissions and pollutants. Maintenance not only helps in making sure there is no overproduction of pollutants happening, but it also helps in increasing the longevity of your car.
• Get a Pollution Control Document or PUC: A PUC is a mandatory requirement by the Government if you are a motor vehicle owner. Having a pollution control certificate helps in keeping a check on your vehicle’s pollution levels. When your PUC shows that your vehicle is beyond the suggested limit of pollution, you must get your vehicle maintenance done or change your vehicle.
• Switch Off Your Car’s Engine When Not Required: When not in use or when waiting at a longer traffic signal, ensure that you switch off your car’s engine. This helps in reducing a small but significant amount of release of pollutants in air.
• Alternate Fuel: With increasing pollution, CNG and electric vehicles are the best alternatives to choose from as compared to conventional vehicles with petrol or diesel. CNG vehicles are said to emit about 10% less CO2 (carbon dioxide) than cars running on fossil fuels. It can also help reduce exhaust emissions by 75%. You can choose to fit an alternate fuel in your vehicle - CNG or altogether choose to buy a CNG or electronic vehicle (EV).
• Traffic Management: While not given so much weightage, this method can be extremely effective in controlling pollution. When Delhi’s odd and even rule came into play in the year 2016, the pollution levels were said to have decreased compared to pre-event (pre odd even rule). [1]
• Vehicle Emission Norms: There is a law under the Motor Vehicles rule and Air Act (drafted in 1991) called the Environment Protection Act. Various modifications have happened to this law like implementing EURO II, BS III, IV and VI norms to categorise vehicles. Complete implementation of this law is an effective way to curb pollution due to vehicles. 

• Technological Innovations: Innovations such as catalytic converters, four stroke engines can help in reducing vehicle emissions as they are less polluting and more fuel efficient.

Importance of Reducing Car Emissions

It is important to reduce car emissions as vehicle emissions can lead to:

• Air pollution and releasing pollutants like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, fine dust particles, unburnt hydrocarbons, etc
• Lead to health problems like respiratory issues, heart and lung diseases and cancer
• Adversely affect the climate like increasing atmospheric temperature, damaging the ozone layer leading to global warming

Conclusion

Thus, it is easy to be mindful of the different ways in which a car contributes to environmental pollution. By taking certain precautionary steps, it is possible to minimise the negative impact of a car and ensure that its emissions are reduced.

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Conclusion

Thus it is easy to be mindful of the different ways in which a car contributes to environmental pollution. By taking certain precautionary steps, it is possible to minimise the negative impact of a car and ensure that its emissions are reduced.

FAQs

 What is pollution from cars called?

Ans. Pollutants coming out of a car are called Exhaust Emissions. They are a mix of gases and particulate matter coming out of your car’s engine.

How do we control pollution?

Ans. You can control pollution by taking a PUC or pollution under control certificate, getting regular vehicle maintenance done, switching off your vehicle’s engine when on a long signal, switching to alternate fuel like CNG or using electric vehicle (EV).

What is a pollution under control certificate?

Ans. A pollution under control certificate or PUC is a mandatory certificate or document required for all vehicles. This certificate proves that your vehicle is meeting all environmental standards.

How to get a PUC certificate?

Ans. You can get a PUC or pollution under control certificate through any authorised emission testing centres (usually near a petrol station) or through your RTO (Regional Transport Office).

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.