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15-year-old vehicles likely to be banned
DUBAI — In a bid to reduce the rising pollution levels in Dubai, the Roads Transport Authority has proposed a regulation not to renew registration of cars that are more than 15 years' old, an official at the RTA told Khaleej Times.
The proposal follows the results of recent studies conducted by the Strategic Planning Department for Transport at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai which showed that vehicles contribute to 80 per cent of environment pollution in the emirate, followed by factories. Vehicles that are over 15 years' old emit higher amount of carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons, according to experts.
The studies indicate that factories are known to be a greater source of pollution in other GCC countries. The studies were supervised and monitored by Salem Al Shafei, Director of Strategic Planning for Transport.
Other alternatives proposed by RTA to keep the pollution levels in check include limiting the use of private vehicles and switching to public transport, using natural gas instead of other fuels like petrol and diesel and using equipment like catalytic converters and exhaust filters.
The RTA also has plans to regularly inspect vehicles for their pollution levels, which would be set following the adoption of international standards shortly.
“The number of cars registered last year stood at 6,25,000, signifying a 10 per cent increase over the last few years,” Salem Al Shafei revealed. He noted that the gases emitted from vehicles include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and huge amounts of lead.
“These gases cause various respiratory disorders and even lung cancer due to their high toxic levels. Frequent braking and speeding also contribute to increased emissions from vehicles,” he added.
He noted that there is a direct relation between the pollution emitted and age of the car, as older the car, higher is the pollution level. “Cars will be checked for their emission levels of carbons and hydrocarbons and will have to be within permissible levels before registration,” he added.
Statistics also reveal that among the various gases emitted, hydrocarbon levels are well below the prescribed limits, unlike what has been noticed in most other countries in the region. Between 1.5 to 10 per cent of the cars emit carbons and hydrocarbons beyond permissible levels.
Responding to a question on the high levels of sulphur in locally used diesel, Al Shafei said that the study did not involve heavy vehicles and almost all light vehicles in the UAE run on petrol. He noted that while the RTA could propose measures in this regard, such policies are made at the federal level and are more logical and effective when implemented across the country.
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