Diesel sulfur content
Particulate emission from older generation
diesel vehicles, that is the old technology vehicles, is mostly carbon based.
Sulfates emitted in exhaust, due to the presence of sulfur in diesel, through
secondary atmospheric reactions forms particulates. The issue of sulfur
reduction needs to be addressed once issue of carbon based particulate emission
from diesel engines due to inadequate technology has been addressed. To operate
diesel engines of EURO II and above, sulfur content in the diesel cannot be more
than 500-ppm. CNG is a clean and indigenous fuel for Bangladesh but for public transport
system of a city to be totally dependent on a single energy source is not
advisable. Low sulfur diesel busses, which are also considered clean fuel
busses, may operate in the city. Currently Bangladesh imports about 90% of its
diesel from abroad with a sulfur content of 2500-ppm. Since Bangladesh imports most of its
diesel, it is possible to import 500-ppm sulfur diesel to introduce clean fuel
buses. Before introducing clean diesel busses in Dhaka,
separate storage and distribution network for 500-ppm sulfur must be
considered.
In use Vehicle Inspection
Experts opine that however good is the
technology of a vehicle in use, an out of tuned or maintained vehicle is as
polluting as a low technology vehicle. It is, therefore, important that
regulatory inspection program is in place compelling the vehicles owners to
maintain their vehicles regularly and properly. Experiences in other countries
show that privatizing the regulatory inspection to small private workshop
owners do not yield expected results. It is therefore, recommended to have
centralized and computerized vehicle inspection centers with emission testing
arrangement having public oversight.
Enforcement
of In-use Vehicle Emission standard
During the annual fitness test and
pre-registration inspection Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) should
ensure compliance to the emission standards.
A program can be started where in BRTA and
Police provides mobile phone numbers to the general public to inform the
registration number of smoking vehicles on the road. BRTA then can notify
owners of smoking vehicles to present them for emission inspection.
Fine or penalty for not compliance with
emission standard can be enhanced.
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