Unit

5 Automobile and
Environment

INTRODUCTION
Pollution is a big concern to the human race today. We
are not able to conserve our environment properly, and
if we do not act upon it, our natural resources will soon
get depleted. Pollution in any form is dangerous, be it
pollution of air, water or noise, and therefore, it needs
to be controlled to save our environment. It is necessary
for us to adopt national and international emission
standards which ensure better utilisation of resources
and help in controlling pollution. Governments all over
the world are now serious about environment, and
therefore, we get emission standards to follow in design
and maintenance of automobiles. All the products and
services have to follow national standards. Nowadays,
strict measures are being taken by car designers to
adopt Bharat Standard (BS). You may have noticed
BS-IV written on vehicles. This is the latest version of
emission standards followed in India. Similarly, all the
vehicles are supposed to carry PUC (Pollution Under
Control) certificate so that pollution is controlled. A visit
to a nearby petrol pump would help you observe how
pollution coming out of an automobile is checked.

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 142 13-Mar-19 3:17:02 PM

 In this Unit, we will understand air pollution, auto
emission standards like EU/BS, PUC certification and
ways to control pollution.

SESSION 1: AIR POLLUTION

Human population has grown enormously over the
last 100 years, and so has the demand for food, water,
home, electricity, roads, automobiles and numerous
other commodities. These increasing demands exert
tremendous pressure on our natural resources, and also
contribute to pollution of air, water and soil. The need
of the hour is to check the degradation and depletion of
our precious natural resources and pollution without
halting the process of development.
Pollution is an undesirable change in physical,
chemical or biological characteristics of air, land, water
or soil. Agents that bring about such an undesirable
change are called pollutants. In order to control
environmental pollution, the Government of India
has passed the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to
protect and improve the quality of our environment (air,
water and soil).

Air Pollution and Its Control

We are dependent on air for our respiratory
needs. Air pollutants cause injury to all
living organisms. They reduce growth and
yield of crops and cause premature death
of plants. Air pollutants (Fig. 5.1) also
deleteriously affect the respiratory system
of humans and animals. Harmful effects
depend on the concentration of pollutants,
duration of exposure and the organism.
Smokestacks of thermal power plants,
smelters and other industries release
particulate and gaseous air pollutants
together with harmless gases, such as
nitrogen, oxygen, etc. These pollutants
must be separated and filtered out
before releasing the harmless gases into Fig. 5.1: Air pollution
the atmosphere.

AUTOMOBILE AND ENVIRONMENT

143

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 143 13-Mar-19 3:17:03 PM

 Automobiles are also a major cause for atmospheric
pollution at least in the metro cities. The badly designed
and badly maintained automobiles are a major cause
of air pollution. You may have seen buses, trucks,
cars or tempos releasing black smoke. This happens
because of poor maintenance of the vehicle, and due
to this, the engine does not burn the fuel completely
or properly. It can also happen because of improper
mixture of air and fuel or when poor quality of fuel
is used.
As a result of the increasing number of vehicles on
the roads, air pollution is shifting to the other cities as
well. Proper maintenance of automobiles along with the
use of lead-free petrol or diesel can reduce the pollutants
they emit. Catalytic converters, having expensive metals,
namely platinum-palladium and rhodium as the
catalysts, are fitted into automobiles for reducing
emission of poisonous gases. As the exhaust passes
through the catalytic converter, unburnt hydrocarbons
are converted into carbon dioxide and water. Also,
carbon monoxide and nitric oxide are changed to carbon
dioxide and nitrogen gas, respectively. Motor vehicles
equipped with catalytic converter should use unleaded
petrol because lead in petrol reduces the effectiveness
of the catalyst.

Controlling Vehicular Air Pollution:

A Case Study of Delhi
With its large population of vehicular traffic, Delhi leads
the country in its levels of air pollution — it has more
cars than in the states of Gujarat and West Bengal
put together. In the 1990s, Delhi ranked fourth among
the 41 most polluted cities of the world. Air pollution
problems in Delhi became so serious that a public
interest litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court of
India in 1985. After being censured very strongly by the
Supreme Court, under its directives, the government
was asked to take, within a specified time period,
appropriate measures, including switching over the
entire fleet of public transport, i.e., buses, from diesel
to compressed natural gas (CNG).

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN – CLASS IX

144

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 144 13-Mar-19 3:17:03 PM

 The Government of Delhi decided to convert all the
state-run buses to CNG by the end of 2002. This resulted
in a dramatic improvement in the pollution levels.
You might be curious to know why CNG is better than
diesel. The answer is that CNG burns more efficiently
and completely. On the other hand, petrol or diesel are
partly left unburnt. Moreover, CNG is cheaper than petrol
or diesel, cannot be siphoned off by thieves and cannot
be adulterated like petrol or diesel. The main problem
with switching over to CNG is the difficulty of laying
down pipelines to deliver CNG through distribution
points or pumps and ensuring uninterrupted supply.
Therefore, you may have noticed long ques of vehicles
at CNG stations.
Simultaneously, steps are being taken for reducing
vehicular pollution which include phasing out of old
vehicles, use of unleaded petrol, use of low-sulphur
petrol and diesel, use of catalytic converters in vehicles,
application of stringent pollution level norms for
vehicles, etc.
The Government of India through a new auto fuel
policy has made a plan to cut down vehicular pollution
in Indian cities. More stringent norms for fuels means
steadily reducing the sulphur and aromatic content
in petrol and diesel fuels. Euro II norms, for example,
stipulate that sulphur be controlled at 350 parts-per-
million (ppm) in diesel and 150 ppm in petrol. Aromatic
hydrocarbons are to be contained at 42 per cent of the
concerned fuel. The goal, according to the roadmap, is
to reduce sulphur to 50 ppm in petrol and diesel and
bring down the level to 35 per cent. Corresponding to
the fuel, vehicle engines also need to be upgraded.
All automobiles and fuel — petrol and diesel, were to
have met the Euro III emission specifications in these
11 cities from 1 April 2005 and have to meet the Euro
IV norms by 1 April 2010. The rest of the country were
required to have Euro III emission norm-compliant
automobiles and fuels by 2010. Now, Delhi-NCR regions
have started using ultra-clean Bharat Stage VI grade
fuel (both petrol and diesel). Other cities like Noida,
Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad along with 13

AUTOMOBILE AND ENVIRONMENT

145

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 145 13-Mar-19 3:17:03 PM

 major cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru,
Hyderabad and Pune, are also said to switch over to
cleaner BS-VI grade fuel from 2019 onwards. However,
BS-VI fuel will be rolled out in rest of the country by
April 2020. These efforts have resulted in improved
air quality in some cities like Delhi. According to an
estimate, a substantial fall in CO2 (carbon dioxide) and
SO2 (sulphur dioxide) levels has been found in Delhi
between 1997 and 2005. This has been possible by
introducing CNG buses on the roads.

Practical Exercise
Activity 1
List the reasons for air pollution.

S. No. Reasons for air pollution

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Check Your Progress

A. Fill in the blanks

1. The need of the hour is to check the ___________________

and ________________ of our precious natural resources.
2. In order to control environmental pollution, the
Government of India has passed the ________________ Act,
1986 to protect and improve the quality of our ____________
(air, water and soil).
3. Air pollutants deleteriously affect the ___________________
system of humans and of animals.
4. The full form of CNG is ______________________________
____________________.
5. Automobiles are a major _____________ of atmospheric
pollution.

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN – CLASS IX

146

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 146 13-Mar-19 3:17:03 PM

 6. Euro II norms, for example, stipulate that sulphur be
controlled at _________ parts-per-million (ppm) in diesel
and ________ ppm in petrol.

B. Multiple choice questions

1. The latest version of emission standards to be followed in

India are ________.
(a) BS-IV
(b) BS-III
(c) BS-II
(d) EURO-III
2. A substantial fall of which gases level was found in Delhi
between 1997 and 2005 due to CNG?
(a) CO2 and SO2
(b) Co2 and Sio2
(c) CO and SO2
(d) None of the above
3. An undesirable change in physical, chemical or biological
characteristics of air, land, water or soil is known as
_________________.
(a) population
(b) pollution
(c) propulsion
(d) None of the above
4. The Government of Delhi decided to convert all the buses
to CNG by the end of year ____________.
(a) 2022
(b) 2016
(c) 2002
(d) 2006

C. Short answer questions

1. Why is it important to control air pollution?
2. What is the role of a convertor in an automobile?
3. How has CNG helped in controlling pollution?

SESSION 2: AUTO EMISSIONS AND

EU/BS STANDARDS
You may have noticed black or white smoke coming
out from car, scooter, tempo or truck. This smoke is
a by-product of the combustion process and from
evaporation of fuel itself. It is known as auto emission
(see Fig. 5.2).

AUTOMOBILE AND ENVIRONMENT

147

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 147 13-Mar-19 3:17:03 PM

 Fig. 5.2: Auto emission

Auto Emissions
When emission from automobiles carry unburnt
hydrocarbons, it causes air pollution. Pollution from
cars comes from by-products of this combustion process
(exhaust) and from evaporation of the fuel itself.

Combustion Process
Petrol and diesel fuels are mixtures of hydrocarbons,
compounds which contain hydrogen and carbon atoms.
In a ‘perfect’ engine, oxygen in the air converts all the
hydrogen in the fuel to water and all the carbon in
the fuel to carbon dioxide. Nitrogen in the air remains
unaffected. In reality, the combustion process cannot be

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN – CLASS IX

148

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 148 13-Mar-19 3:17:06 PM

 ‘perfect’, and therefore, automotive engines emit several
type of pollutants.

Emission Standards
Governments and regulatory bodies all over the
world discuss with automobile companies and list
down requirements that set specific limits to the
amount of pollutants that can be released into the
environment. Many emission standards focus on
regulating pollutants released by automobiles (motor
cars) and other powered vehicles, but they can also
regulate emissions from industry, power plants,
small equipment, such as lawn mowers and diesel
generators. Frequent policy alternatives to emission
standards are technology standards (which mandate
the regulation of emissions of nitrogen oxides [NOx],
sulphur oxides, particulate matter [PM] or soot,
carbon monoxide [CO], or volatile hydrocarbons).

Emission Norms in India

With the increasing number of vehicles on the roads,
the possibility of large scale pollution due to these
vehicles has also increased. However, the pollution can
be reduced considerably if the vehicles are designed and
maintained as per regulations.
It was only in 1991 that the first stage emission norms
came into force for petrol vehicles, and in 1992, for diesel
vehicles. From April 1995, mandatory fitting of catalytic
converters in new petrol passenger cars sold in the four
metros of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, along
with a supply of Unleaded Petrol (ULP) was brought
into effect. Availability of ULP was further extended
to 42 major cities and now it is available throughout
the country.
The emission reduction achieved from pre-
1989 levels is over 85 per cent for petrol-driven and
61 per cent for diesel vehicles from 1991 levels.
In the year 2000, passenger cars and commercial
vehicles started meeting Euro I equivalent India 2000
norms. Euro II equivalent Bharat Stage II norms are in

AUTOMOBILE AND ENVIRONMENT

149

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 149 13-Mar-19 3:17:06 PM

 force from 2001 in the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai and Kolkata.
India is still behind Euro norms by a few years.
These are standards followed by European countries.
However, with many vehicles manufactured in India
now being exported, a beginning has been made, and
emission norms are being aligned with Euro standards
and vehicular technology is being accordingly upgraded.
Indian vehicle manufactures are also working towards
bridging the gap between Euro standards and Indian
emission norms.
Bharat stage emission standards are emission
standards instituted by Government of India to regulate
the output of air pollutants from internal combustion
engine equipments, including motor vehicles. The
standards and the timeline for implementation are
set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
Nowadays, India has adopted Bharat Stage IV norms
in the automobile sector. For metro cities, it has become
compulsory to use the standard product.
The implementation schedule of EU emission
standards in India is presented in Table 5.1.
Table 5.1: Indian Emission Standards (4-wheeler vehicles)
Standard Reference Date Region
India 2000 Euro 1 2000 Nationwide
Bharat Stage II Euro 2 2001 NCR*, Mumbai,
Kolkata, Chennai
2003.04 NCR*, 11 Cities†
2005.06 Nationwide
Bharat Stage III Euro 3 2005.06 NCR*, 11 Cities†
2010.14 Nationwide

Bharat Stage IV Euro 4 2010.14 NCR*, 11 Cities†

* National Capital Region (Delhi)
† Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad,
Secunderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Kanpur and Agra

The above standards apply to all the new four-wheeler

vehicles sold and registered in the respective regions.

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN – CLASS IX

150

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 150 13-Mar-19 3:17:07 PM

 In addition, the National Auto Fuel Policy introduces
certain emission requirements for interstate buses with
routes originating or terminating in Delhi or the other
10 cities.
For two- and three-wheelers, Bharat Stage II has been
applicable since 1 April 2005 and Stage III standards
came into force from 1 April 2010.

Practical Exercise

Activity 1
List the reasons for auto emission.

S. No. Reasons for Emission

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Check Your Progress

A. Fill in the blanks

1. Burning of fuel takes place in the __________________ of

automobile to give power to the vehicle.
2. Smoke is the by-product of the ________________ process.
3. First stage emission norms came into force for petrol
vehicles in the year ________.
4. Emission reduction achieved from pre-89 levels is
_____________ for petrol driven and __________ for diesel
vehicles from 1991 levels.
5. Euro II equivalent Bharat Stage II norms are in force from
2001 in the four metros of ___________________________
____________________________,__________________________
and ________________________.

AUTOMOBILE AND ENVIRONMENT

151

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 151 13-Mar-19 3:17:07 PM

 B. Multiple choice questions

1. Petrol and diesel fuels are mixtures of

_______________________.
(a) hydrocarbons
(b) carbons
(c) nitrogen
(d) carbon monoxide
2. Government standards generally regulate the
emissions of ____________________.
(a) nitrogen oxides (NOx)
(b) sulphur oxides (SOx)
(c) particulate matter (PM) or soot
(d) All of the above
3. In a ‘perfect’ engine, oxygen in the air would convert
all the hydrogen in the fuel to ___________________.
(a) water
(b) gases
(c) smoke
(d) pollution

C. Short answer questions

1. Why is emission control important?

2. What is Bharat Standard or Euro Standard?

SESSION 3: PUC CERTIFICATION

In this session, we will learn about various aspects of
automobile pollution and measures taken to control
pollution (Fig. 5.3).
Adulteration of fuel
leads to the weak
combustion process
which ultimately leads to
pollution. You may have
read in the newspaper
that some petrol-pump
owners adulterate petrol
with kerosene to get higher
margin of profit. It causes
incomplete combustion
and leads to air pollution
from vehicles using
Fig. 5.3: PUC unit such adulterated petrol.

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN – CLASS IX

152

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 152 13-Mar-19 3:17:08 PM

 Proper maintenance of vehicles keeps a check on
pollution by reducing the emission. Adequate measures
have been taken to improve the quality of fuel, for
example, lead-free fuel, CNG fuel, biofuel, etc., are
being adopted in the automobile sector.
Hence, the quality of fuel plays an important role
in meeting the stringent emission regulation. The fuel
specifications of petrol and diesel have been aligned
with the corresponding European fuel specifications
for meeting the Euro II, Euro III and Euro IV
emission norms.
The use of alternative fuels has been promoted in
India both for energy security and emission reduction.
Delhi and Mumbai have more than 1,00,000 commercial
vehicles running on CNG fuel. Delhi has the largest
number of CNG commercial vehicles running anywhere
in the world. India is planning to introduce biodiesel,
ethanol and gasoline blends in a phased manner, and
has drawn up a roadmap for the same.
The Indian auto industry is working with the
authorities to facilitate introduction of alternative fuels.
India has also set up a taskforce for preparing the
hydrogen roadmap. The use of LPG (liquid petroleum
gas) has also been introduced as an auto fuel and the
oil industry has drawn up plans for setting up of auto
LPG dispensing stations in major cities.

Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

Presently, all vehicles need to undergo a periodic
emission check (three months or six months) at PUC
centres at fuel stations and private garages which are
authorised to check the vehicles. It is mandatory for
every vehicle owner to carry a valid Pollution Under
Control (PUC) Certificate and maintain the vehicle
within the prescribed emission norms.
You may have seen the computerised facilities
for checking pollution levels and issuing of PUC
Certificates (to vehicles meeting emission standards)
at petrol pumps. These authorised pollution checking
centres are spread in all cities. At present, a number
of centres for petrol-driven vehicles and diesel-driven

AUTOMOBILE AND ENVIRONMENT

153

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 153 13-Mar-19 3:17:09 PM

 vehicles are functioning. These centres issue Pollution
Under Control (PUC) certificates if the vehicles meet the
prescribed emission norms. In case a vehicle is found
polluting beyond prescribed norms, necessary repairs
and tuning in the vehicle are required.
If a vehicle does not have a valid PUC certificate, then
its owner is liable to be prosecuted under Section 190(2)
of the Motor Vehicles Act. A penalty of `1,000/- for the
first offence and `2,000/- for every subsequent offence
of violation has been provided.
Fee for pollution checking is fixed by the State
Transport Department and is quite nominal.
Petrol/CNG/LPG vehicle: ` 25
Diesel vehicle: `50
Minor adjustment (Carburetted petrol vehicles
only): `5
Despite having a valid PUC certificate, if a vehicle
is found polluting the environment, then the PUC
certificate of the vehicle is cancelled and its owner is
directed (under Rule 116 of CMV Rules) to produce a
fresh PUC certificate within seven days. The failure to
comply with this direction results in prosecution under
Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act. If the vehicle
is not polluting and the PUC Certificate has expired or
one does not have a PUC certificate, then also offence of
not having a PUC certificate attracts prosecution under
Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act.
There are regulations also that require transport
vehicles to undergo an annual fitness check carried out
by RTOs for emissions, safety and road worthiness. Now
the government is also preparing plans for compulsory
inspection of vehicles after a certain number of years.
Some other ways to control pollution are:
(i) keeping car one day off in a week.
(ii) car pooling for going to office.
(iii) using bicycle for short distances.
(iv) maintaining the vehicle properly maintained.
(v) using public transport to commute. Delhi Metro
is the best example of controlling pollution and
providing comfort to the public.

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN – CLASS IX

154

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 154 13-Mar-19 3:17:09 PM

 Practical Exercises

Activity 1
List the reasons for controlling pollution.

S. No. Reasons for controlling air pollution

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Check Your Progress

A. Fill in the blanks
1. The new alternate fuel used in Delhi is _____________.
2. Meaning of PUC is ____________ _____________ ___________.
3. PUC is checked at ___________________.
4. The full form of CNG is ________________ ________________
_____________.
5. Adulteration of fuel leads to _________________ combustion
process.

B. Multiple choice questions

1. Which state of India has the largest number of CNG
commercial vehicles running in comparison to anywhere
else in the world?
(a) Maharashtra (b) Punjab
(c) Delhi (d) Gujarat
2. India has setup a task force for preparing the
_________________.
(a) carbon road map (b) oxygen road map
(c) hydrogen road map (d) hydrocarbon road map

C. Short answer questions

1. What is the purpose of having PUC?
2. List some tips for controlling pollution.

AUTOMOBILE AND ENVIRONMENT

155

2019-20

Unit 5.indd 155 13-Mar-19 3:17:09 PM