CleanCo opens new DriveGreen Stations

Narammala, Nikawaratiya, Udubaddawa, Anamaduwa, Arachchikattuwa and Rasnayakapura areas now covered

In a massive drive to keep the country’s highways pollution free, CleanCo Lanka Ltd., recently opened a new DriveGreen station covering the Narammala, Nikawaratiya, Udubaddawa, Anamaduwa, Arachchikattuwa and Rasnayakapura areas, bringing the total number of DriveGreen operating locations to 91.

CleanCo Lanka’s DriveGreen vehicle emission testing centres comprise of fixed stations and mobile units spread across Sri Lanka which provide motorists emission testing certificates, mandatory for all vehicles on an annual basis.

CleanCo Lanka Limited is a subsidiary of the well-established local family owned company, Akbar Brothers Pvt. Ltd. Having been in business since 2007, the company is one of only two companies with a five-year licence to carry out annual emission tests for approximately 3.7 million registered vehicles in the country as of June 2010.

The expansion, which also includes a recent mobile station covering Weligama, Hakmana, Mulatiyana, Pitabaddara, Pasgoda and Welipitiya, is part of an island wide campaign to extend coverage to the Eastern (Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara) and Northern (Jaffna, Mannar, Mulaitivu, Vanni, Kilinochchi) Provinces.

With the new import duties in effect from 30 June, the expansion drive is timely as the total number of vehicle population is expected to increase drastically over the year.

According to a senior official at CleanCo Lanka, the DriveGreen expansion will continue in 2011 to increase its network to a total of approximately 115 locations by the end of 2011.

He also commented that, “The push to cover more ground is an urgent one to serve more people in all corners of the island while current station facilities will be enhanced. No one knows the deadly cocktail of gases that spew from automobiles like we do and we feel that ours is a responsibility to protect our atmosphere, and make the country’s environment a better, healthier place for future generations.”

Motor vehicle emissions are a significant source of pollution, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that may cause dizziness, difficulty in breathing and death. Hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides combine with sunlight to form ground level ozone (smog). Ozone can aggravate health problems for people with heart disease and breathing-related diseases such as asthma and emphysema. It can be especially harmful to children and the elderly. A combination of un-burnt Hydrocarbons, Carbon Monoxide, Oxides of Nitrogen combined creates and spreads a mixture that, when in excess quantity, causes automobile pollution. Basics like an untuned engine, worn out air filter, clogged injectors or a vehicle using faulty spark plugs result in a higher level of emissions.

The senior official also quoted that based on their experience; nearly 25% of the energy output of the vehicular fuel goes unutilised on average in Sri Lanka. To address this issue, DriveGreen stations are equipped to measure of individual vehicle’s fuel wastage and to advise their customers. DriveGreen maintains the highest standards of service delivery in all channels of operation.

He explained that vehicles require a green test prior to re-licencing and that all that’s required is a vehicle’s original Registration Document (CR) or original Vehicle Identity card (VIC), along with the vehicle. Should a vehicle be leased, the owner can do it from a CR or VIC copy which is certified by the leasing company. What’s more, anyone can bring the vehicle for testing provided with the required documents.

“Through prompt service, reduced waiting time and efficient workforce, we strive to make the certification experience a pleasant one. We use only cutting edge technology from Environmental Systems Products (ESP) and we offer a streamlined solution which ensures accurate testing and a secure certification process that will help save fuel.”