PROSPECTS OF ACHIEVING CO-BENEFIT OF LOWER EXHAUST EMISSIONS AND IMPROVED FUEL EFFICIENCY ON SMALL TWO-WHEELERS IN INDIA

Abstract:

Small two-wheelers are expected to continue as a major means of urban transport in India in the coming years. Their large and ever increasing numbers have compelled the Indian Government to adopt progressively stringent mass emission standards.

The growing concern regarding the contribution of the transport sector to the overall growth in GHG emissions is forcing many countries to introduce fuel efficiency standards for various types of road transport vehicles. While most of the existing or forthcoming standards are directed towards four-wheeled vehicles like passenger cars, the Indian government is seriously considering introduction of fuel efficiency standards even for two and three-wheeled vehicles.

Manufacturers of two and three-wheelers in India have, over the years, introduced new
technologies to meet the stringent emission standards and the process will continue, bringing in progressively cleaner technologies to meet the next round of even more stringent standards. An important feature of the Indian two-wheelers is their superior fuel efficiency over that of two-wheelers in most other countries. Introduction of fuel efficiency standards, in parallel with more stringent mass emission standards, may pose a serious technological challenge.

This presentation reviews the impact of emission control technologies most likely to be adopted by two-wheeler manufacturers on fuel efficiency and the prospect of achieving co-benefit of reducing both mass emissions and improved fuel efficiency.