Research

Overview

The pollution profile among Israeli vehicles is no different than that of other industrialized countries. Older vehicles (especially diesels) contribute an inordinate percentage of the pollution burden. With the approach of the tenth anniversary of the full introduction of catalytic converters into the Israeli fleet, it is time that the country began to consider converter longevity and replacement in its overall air quality strategy. This study, sponsored by the GM foundation examined policy programs around the world designed to address the challenge of emissions reductions from older vehicles. Among the options reviewed are improving fuel quality, upgrading inspection and maintenance procedures, accelerated retirement programs, as well as training and education. It also surveyed local experts and garage operators to elicit their opinions on different air pollution related policy issues.

In theory, the country's current programs and policies offer a strong regulatory infrastructure for implementing such a policy. For instance, the annual test is professionally implemented and oversight is improving, standards for replacement converters are in place, etc. Yet, this potential goes unexploited, for a variety of reasons. Chief among these is a poor diagnostic standard in annual testing for evaluating catalytic converter performance and the insufficient frequency of testing among older vehicles. A new emissions standard is critical for identifying damaged converters, for prohibiting "tampering" with converters and for better directing garages to make real repairs on polluting vehicles.

A major factor affecting mobile source air emissions is the quality of the gasoline and diesel fuel available. The study concluded that after the recent government decision to reduce sulfur and lead in fuel to European "Euro III" levels, present fuel standards are at long last adequate for meeting the needs of the present generation of emission control equipment. There will, however be a need to make further reductions later in the decade. Presumably, present linkage to Europe's fuel standards, if honored, will be sufficient for the future. Retrofitting of older fleets, especially particulate traps, among diesel vehicles, appears to be a cost-effective initiative. The government should identify high polluting groups and assess the potential for cost-sharing initiatives. Already, present analysis suggests that an accelerated vehicle retirement program would reduce emissions sufficiently to justify the costs of a tax reduction or other form of incentive.

Because weaker socio-economic groups tend to have older vehicles, there may be "societal" and equity implications associated with a more focused catalytic converter longevity program. Yet, international experience suggests ways to soften such a burden. Examples of such programs are detailed. Ultimately, however, mobile source pollution's effect on public health demands action, even if they may fall heavily on weaker population segments and their present mobility proclivities.

Surveys with garage owners and mechanics confirm that they are hardly the "partners" that they need to be in a national catalytic converter policy. A broad program that includes detailed directives for maintenance of exhaust systems in older vehicles, stringent oversight of garage repairs for violating vehicles, along with education and training could be important for recruiting this crucial cohort into a national initiative. At the same time, the general public remains generally unaware of motor vehicles' dominant role in air pollution related health insults, much less the role of catalytic converter protection and automotive maintenance. Educational campaigns have the potential of influencing them and the other government bodies who need to be committed to reducing air pollution among older vehicles.

Products

• Alon Tal, Controlling Pollution from Old Vehicles: Catalytic Converters Longevity and Beyond, Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, (at press).
• Alon Tal, Presentation at Mobile Source Workshop, Jerusalem Institute, October 20, 2004.
• Alon Tal, Regulatory Programs to Extend Catalytic Converter Longevity, Lecture at the National Conference of Ecology and Environmental Quality Sciences, Tel Aviv, June, 2004.
• Radio interview on the research on national radio program "The Way to the Nature" October 30, 2004