Roadside emission testing forces savings on motorists
Thursday, 20 March 2014 00:00
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No longer is it enough to just tune and spruce up your vehicle’s engine just for the day of the emission test. Authorities have commenced roadside emission testing of vehicles to ensure emissions are within acceptable levels throughout the year. The good news is that it is forcing motorists to save more on fuel.
Roadside emission testing is seen as an essential and timely step to improve quality of ambient air and prevent risk of higher pollution in the face of increasing numbers of vehicles entering the country every year.
It also means that motorists can now look at greater savings on fuel.
Last year, Drive Green – one of the concessionaires operating emission-testing centres – demonstrated the difference a simple maintenance program, which includes cleaning air and oil filters regularly, can have on fuel consumption.
The Estimated Fuel Efficiency report it issues with each Vehicle Emission Test Report provides motorists with a useful guide to how much your vehicle wastes on fuel.
“Roadside emission tests help us keep track of emission levels of vehicles on an ongoing basis,” top officials involved in the initiative explained. “Although an added chore, motorists can expect substantial fuel savings and longer engine life due to better, more regular maintenance.”
“Our efforts should not be viewed negatively as efforts to punish motorists but rather as efforts to reduce air pollution,” Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic S.H. Harischandra said. “Air pollution levels have not increased although the numbers of vehicles have; ambient air quality measurements reflect that these measures have been successful.”
In fact, pollution levels have witnessed a reduction. Measured against levels in 2009- the year VET programme commenced - studies carried out during 2012/13 by the National Building Organisation showed a reduction in annual average Sulphur Dioxide levels at 15 locations in Colombo.
The Motor Traffic Department conducted nearly 1,200 roadside emission tests in the last three months. Multi-purpose vehicles emerged as the category that failed the highest number of roadside emission tests, Project Director of the VET program, A.W. Dissanayake noted.
