Latest news with #NOx
BreakingNews.ie
24-07-2025
- Automotive
- BreakingNews.ie
Budget move could raise taxes on high-emissions cars and vans
A 1 per cent increase in the higher rates of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is one of the Budget options outlined by the Department of Finance's Tax Strategy Group (TSG) in its latest papers. It says that if applied across the upper VRT bands – 11 to 20 – covering the price of new and imported used cars, it 'would affect only cars with above-average emissions' and could raise €28 million based on 2024 registrations. Advertisement The group also suggests increasing the NOx surcharge on new and imported cars by €5 per mg/km, potentially generating another €15.5 million. On Benefit-in-Kind tax (BIK), the paper proposes creating a new zero-emissions category, with rates ranging between 6 and 15 per cent, depending on annual business mileage. A higher VRT rate of 15 per cent is also suggested for vans and light commercial vehicles emitting more than 260g/km of CO2. This would sit above the recently introduced two-band emissions-based VRT system, where the top rate currently stands at 13.3 per cent for vehicles over 120g/km. The TSG notes that future reforms could include emissions-based BIK rates for vans, potentially retaining the current 8 per cent rate for low-emission models, with higher rates for those over a certain CO2 threshold. Advertisement The latest TSG paper revises a proposal made last year on an additional VRT surcharge based on a vehicle's weight. Modelled on a system currently operated in France and Norway, an additional charge would be imposed on vehicles above a certain weight threshold, with various potential reliefs for the likes of fully-electric or hybrid models. The TSG states: 'It is well documented that the scale of the proposed electrification of the national fleet will entail significant revenue risk, with the growth in EVs expected to erode Exchequer receipts from motor tax, VRT, VAT and fuel excise, particularly if the current tax structures remain unchanged.' It estimates that revenue from taxes on fossil fuel use and related transport will fall by €1 billion by 2030, down from €5.3 billion in 2022.
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
City turns a bowl of dust, shows AQI; Courtesy: Potholes & patchy repairs
Bhopal: The city's air quality has been constantly deteriorating for the past six days. The air quality index in all three different air monitoring stations of Bhopal was around 40 on July 13. It increased to 75 on July 16 and was 100 on July 19, as per the Central Pollution Control Board. The flying of dust from damaged roads due to the monsoon was the main reason for the city turning into a dust bowl after reduced rainfall activity. The AQI of the city was rated in the good category a week ago. Air quality came down to close to the moderate category on Saturday. The AQI of Idgah Hills was 108, TT Nagar 100, and AQI in Paryavaran Parisar was 92 on Saturday morning, as per the CPCB. A week ago, the AQI was around 40 in the three areas of the city. Officials said, apart from the damaged roads, flying dust from vehicles and an increase in construction activities after showers lead to an increase in pollution levels. Showers may add to traffic woes, suspend power supply, and lead to water logging issues, but when it comes to air quality, it is the best time of the year. Showers do wonders for air quality. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Think Aliens Don't Exist, These 22 Facts Might Make You Change Your Mind Liseer Read More Undo The reason why air pollution comes down during rains, experts pointed out, is that dust gets heavy in showers and does not fly in the air. Vehicular pollution also decreases as tyres do not lead to the flying of pollutants and dust in the air, as it settles down on the ground. This is the reason why pollution levels come down during rains. Experts said air quality is measured by taking into account the levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), RSPM10, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air. Of the four, officials said, PM2.5 is the most harmful to health and causes severe lung diseases. PM10 is due to dust and construction, including the building of roads, while PM2.5 is due to dust, human activity, and climatic conditions.
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Barnama
Prasarana Rolls Out 310 New Diesel Buses To Boost Services In Klang Valley, Penang
KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Bernama) -- Prasarana Malaysia Berhad (Prasarana) today launched 310 diesel buses, under the 2025 Bus Replacement programme, to enhance public transport services in the Klang Valley and Penang. Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, said that this marks Prasarana's final procurement of diesel buses, aligning with the government's goal to shift towards a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and low-carbon public transport system. 'As the country's primary public transport operator, Prasarana plays a crucial role in delivering safe, efficient, and reliable bus and train services. With the addition of these new buses, I am confident that service quality will continue to improve, offering greater comfort, safety, and accessibility to the public,' he said. He added that the initiative is part of Prasarana's long-term strategy to replace aging assets and enhance operational capabilities, in line with the Ministry of Transport's and the Malaysian government's vision to strengthen the country's public transport system. Loke said this in his speech at the launch of the new diesel bus ceremony, which was also attended by Land Public Transport Agency director-general, Datuk Azlan Shah Al Bakri; Prasarana Group president and chief executive officer (CEO), Mohd Azharuddin Mat Sah; and Rapid Bus chairman, Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali. Loke said that all 310 diesel buses, manufactured by Higer, will be deployed in stages on selected routes, particularly in densely populated areas with high passenger demand, to provide more frequent and user-friendly services. He added that Higer was chosen following a comprehensive evaluation, based on technical performance, safety, and reliability. 'Although these buses are imported from China, all components are fully assembled in Johor, supporting the government's technology transfer agenda, and contributing to the growth of the local automotive industry. Beyond the technical advantages, this move also helps build local expertise and create job opportunities for Malaysians,' he added. 'These buses comply with Euro 5 emission standards, one of the world's strictest benchmarks for controlling pollutants such as nitrogen oxide (NOx). This will contribute to improved air quality, particularly in major urban centres.
India Today
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Cracking down on cars: Can Delhi's old vehicle fuel ban really clean its air?
Delhi's recent decision to ban diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years from refuelling in the city is being promoted as a bold step to curb air pollution, but experts warn the policy is unlikely to significantly reduce the city's toxic air—and may even miss the real drivers of older vehicles do contribute a disproportionate share of particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, accounting for 28% and 41% respectively, this ban targets only a fraction of the overall pollution sources in the National Capital Region. advertisementDelhi's air pollution is a complex, multi-source problem, with major contributors including construction dust, industrial emissions, crop burning in neighbouring states, waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerators, and seasonal weather patterns that trap pollutants close to the ground. A commuter rides past a notice stating fuel ban for end-of-life (EoL) vehicles under the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), at a petrol pump in New Delhi. (PTI Photo) Vehicle emissions are just one part of a much larger puzzle."In 2020, with the introduction of BS-VI standards, emissions have been reduced by 80% compared to BS-IV vehicles and by nearly 98% compared to BS-I vehicles. While the decision to not let end-of-life vehicles refuel in Delhi will curtail their operations, the issue lies in the mechanism with which the Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate is issued," Vivek Chattopadyay, Sr Fellow, Air Pollution Control Program, CSE, told added that the PUC does not test for particulate Matter 2.5 or Nitrogen oxides in vehicles, which need to be fixed to fix the pollution vehicles account for nearly 50% of PM2.5 emissions and 80% of NOx emissions, and that's from vehicles of all vehicle restriction experiments in Delhi, such as the odd-even car rationing scheme, produced only modest short-term improvements — a 10-13% drop in PM2.5 levels — before pollution levels rebounded, largely because other sources remained unaddressed and traffic patterns adjusted to the new rules. Police personnel keep a vigil at a petrol pump after fuel ban for end-of-life (EoL) vehicles under the directions of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), in New Delhi. (PTI Photo) Moreover, bans focused solely on vehicle age do not account for actual emissions performance. Many older vehicles, if well-maintained or retrofitted, can pollute less than newer, poorly maintained current policy also risks pushing lower-income residents — who are more likely to own older vehicles — toward financial hardship, without providing affordable alternatives or robust public transport the city's air quality ranking among the worst worldwide, the Delhi government has struggled to find solutions, as citizens pay the price — losing an estimated 12 years of life expectancy to persistent air air quality plans do include ambitious targets for electrifying public transport and expanding non-motorised mobility, but these efforts require far more integrated, systemic action and regional cooperation to be removing older vehicles, without tackling the broader sources or improving infrastructure, is unlikely to yield lasting air quality argue that a comprehensive approach — tightening inspection and maintenance regimes, accelerating the shift to cleaner fuels, enforcing construction and industrial emission standards, and addressing regional crop burning — is essential for meaningful, sustained such systemic reforms, vehicle bans risk being a symbolic gesture rather than a transformative solution for Delhi's air.- EndsMust Watch
Glasgow Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow law firm representing claimants in group action
Thompsons Solicitors, based in Wellington Street, is acting for individuals and businesses in the case against several Ford companies. The action relates to alleged use of defeat devices in Ford diesel vehicles manufactured to Euro 5 or Euro 6 emissions standards, excluding Euro 6d and Euro 6d Temp. The devices are claimed to have unlawfully reduced the effectiveness of the vehicles' nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions control systems, causing loss and damage to the pursuers. The full public notice can be viewed at Read more: Man charged with assault and theft after incident Proceedings have been brought by Graeme Hamilton, acting as the representative party on behalf of the group. The case is being heard in the Court of Session. The action is being brought against Ford Motor Company, Ford Motor Company Limited, Fordwerke Gmbh, Ford Motor Company of Australia Pty Limited, Ford Retail Limited, FCE Bank Plc, and ALD Automotive Limited. Anyone who has not previously made a claim in the group proceedings but wishes to do so is invited to contact Thompsons Solicitors. The firm can be reached by email at mbemissions@ or by post at Patrick McGuire, Thompsons Solicitors Scotland, 70 Wellington Street, Glasgow, G2 6UA.
