European Emission

Standards
& Adverse Effects of
CNG
By Abhimanyu Setia & Richa Thakur
Background
The first European legislation on exhaust emissions was introduced in 1970

Euro 1 was first introduced in 1992.

This legislation coincided with the compulsory introduction of catalytic converters

for petrol-engined cars to reduce their carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. It set
limits for the tail-pipe emissions from cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) -
such as vans and pick-up trucks - with respect to four main emissions:

● Carbon monoxide (CO)

● Hydrocarbons (HC)
● Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
● Particulate matter (PM)
European emission standards by Year

Euro 1 July 1992

Euro 2 January 1996

Euro 3 January 2000

Euro 4 January 2005

Euro 5 September 2009

Euro 6 September 2014

Standards as part of European emission standards

A Passenger Car (Petrol / Diesel)

B Light Commercial Vehicle

Light commercial vehicle ≤1305 kg (Petrol / Diesel)

Light commercial vehicle 1305 - 1760 kg (Petrol / Diesel)
Light commercial vehicle 1760 - 3500 kg (Petrol / Diesel)

C Trucks and Busses

D Large Goods Vehicle

E Environment friendly vehicle ( euro 5 onwards )

European emission standards for Diesel passenger cars g/km

Tier Date Carbon monoxide Nitrogen Hydrocarbon PM10

oxides +
Nitrogen oxide

Euro 1 July 1992 2.72 - 0.97 0.14

Euro 2 January 1996 1.0 - 0.7 0.08

Euro 3 January 2000 0.66 0.50 0.56 0.05

Euro 4 January 2005 0.50 0.25 0.30 0.025

Euro 5 September 2009 0.50 0.180 0.230 0.005

Euro 6 September 2014 0.50 0.080 0.170 0.005

European emission standards for Petrol passenger cars g/km

Tier Date Carbon Hydroca Non Nitrogen Hydrocarbon PM10

monoxide rbon Methane - oxides +
Hydrocar Nitrogen
bon oxide

Euro 1 July 1992 2.72 - - - 0.97 -

Euro 2 January 1996 2.2 - - - 0.5 -

Euro 3 January 2000 2.3 0.20 - 0.15 - -

Euro 4 January 2005 1.0 0.10 - 0.08 - -

Euro 5 September 1.0 0.10 0.068 0.060 - 0.005

2009

Euro 6 September 1.0 0.10 0.068 0.060 - 0.005

2014
Out of the two fuels, petrol always emits lower particulate matter and from EURO 5
being made compliant to stringent PM Emission standards along with diesel cars.
Benefits
According to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders
(SMMT), the Euro emissions have had a significant influence in reducing
emissions.

It states that since 1993 in europe ,

Carbon monoxide levels have been cut by 82% for diesel-engined cars
and 63% for petrols

Particulate matter is down by 96%.

Since 2001, nitrogen oxide is down by 84%

Hydrocarbons are down by 50% in petrol-engined cars.

The standards also encourage vehicle manufacturers to create new technology
which aims to see significant reductions in air pollution.
Adoption of Euro Standards in India
CNG (methane stored at high pressure)

It is substitute for petrol, diesel, petrol and propane.

It is made by compressing the natural gas (composed of methane) to less

than 1% of the volume at standard atmospheric pressure.

CNG emits significantly less pollutants than petrol such as :

● Carbon dioxide (CO2 )

● Unburned hydrocarbons (UHC)
● Carbon monoxide (CO)
● Nitrogen oxides (NOx )
● Sulfur oxides(SOx )
Benefits of CNG
★ It releases less carbon into the atmosphere.
★ Due to absence of LEAD or BENZENE , fouling of spark plugs is eliminated.
★ Low maintenance cost than other vehicles Increases the life of lubricating
oils

★ It mixes easily and evenly in air

★ It is less likely ignite on hot surfaces, because it has a high auto ignition
temp.(540˚c), and small range of flammability (5%-15%).

★ Less pollution and more efficiency.

Adverse Effects CNG
The compressed natural gas (CNG) -run buses are harmful for humans as they emit
"nanocarbon" particles which can cause cancer, according to a study conducted by
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

“As observed in the Mashelkar Expert Committee report on Auto Fuel Policy in India, CNG
vehicles emit 20 per cent more greenhouse gases per mile when compared to diesel
vehicles. From the perspective of global warming, the decision to switch to CNG from
diesel is a harmful one,” the affidavit said,.

CNG vehicles requires greater amount of space for fuel storage than conventional
gasoline powered vehicles . Since it is a compressed gas, rather than a liquid like gasoline,
CNG takes up more space for each gasoline gallon equivalent(GGE).
 Two Wheelers vs Passenger Cars
Greenhouse Warming Potential in grams CO2-equivalent per passenger-
kilometer
Urban Rural Highway
Car - driving solo 310 180 220
Motorcycles &
260 190 330
Scooters
Car - driving with
155 90 110
one passenger
Car - driving with
78 45 55
three passengers

Source : "Ana-Marija Vasic and Martin Weilenmann. Comparison of Real-World Emissions from Two-Wheelers and Passenger Cars. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2006, 40, (1), pp 149-
154. Available online at: http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/article.cgi/esthag/2006/40/i01/html/es0481023.html."
Thank You