Clean Fuels for Asia · Technical Options for Moving Toward Unleaded Gasoline and Low-Sulfur Diesel

Expanding motor vehicle population is a major cause of air pollution in many Asian cities. This report describes strategies, incentives, and methods to increase the use of clean fuels and focuses on the abatement of vehicular pollution through the use of cleaner fuels, such as unleaded gasoline and lower sulfur diesel. It aims to provide decisionmakers with a methodology for making informed choices concerning the production and use of cleaner transport fuels for motor vehicles. Transport demand management, inspection and maintenance, and advancement of vehicle technology are the other components of vehicle pollution prevention program. This report recommends that governments adopt a strategy for the progressive elimination of lead from gasoline. In conjunction with catalytic converters, unleaded gasoline use results in reductions in major pollutants such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. Unleaded gasoline should be made cheaper than leaded gasoline at the pump. In addition to this priority step, it is also crucial that other clean fuels be promoted. For example, the sulfur content of diesel fuel should be reduced to control emissions of sulfur and particulates. Alternative clean fuels such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas should also be promoted. Poorly maintained cars are responsible for a disproportionate amount of emissions. Regular inspection and maintenance of vehicles results in a substantial reduction in particulate, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide emissions