Page 64 - Technology Roadmap Transportation

TECHNOLOGY VISION 2035

4.0
ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT,

EMISSIONS AND NOISE ISSUES

4.1 INTRODUCTION irritation of eyes, various bronchial problems
Energy is a basic requirement for economic and visibility in affected population. Vehicular
development. Growing energy consumption pollution affects human health adversely due
in India has also resulted in increased to presence of CO, unburned HC, NO , soot,
X
dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, oil suspended particulate matter (SPM) and
and gas. India urgently needs to develop a aldehydes, among others in the engine exhaust.
sustainable path of energy. Biofuels seems to Apart from these harmful pollutants, CO leads
2
have the potential to contribute significantly to various long-term global problems including
to India’s energy security. However, a clear greenhouse effect. Almost all countries are
choice needs to be made on priorities. The fuel working on the methods of CO emission
2
costs are rising and are dependent on crude reduction from engine tailpipe to combat with
oil price. Further, availability of uniform quality this menace. Different air pollutants from the
gasoline and diesel throughout the country is a vehicles have effects at all levels – local (e.g.,
major issue. Distribution infrastructure of fuels smoke affecting visibility, ambient air, noise etc.),
needs to be strengthened. Sustained availability regional (such as smog, acidification) and global
of fossil fuels has to be ensured. Fuel quality (i.e., global warming). Automobiles besides
is also affected by issues such as adulteration. being the prominent source of air pollutants
Development of high performance additives also account for a number of external effects,
is essential. Availability of gaseous fuels like such as congestion, noise, accidents, road wear
CNG needs to be improved. Infrastructure for and tear, etc.
dispensing alternative fuels like CNG and LPG
and charging electric and hybrid vehicles needs 4.2 GLOBAL ROAD TRANSPORT
to be established. New synthetic fuels such as CURRENT ENERGY TRENDS:
DME, GTL need to be encouraged. Global transport sector consumed about
2,200 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in
Fossil fuels supply more than 80% energy 2010, constituting about 19% of global energy
for global consumption and more than 95% supplies. Figure 4.1 shows that a significant
energy for transport sector globally. While amount came from oil, while the rest of
global fossil fuel reserves are diminishing, transport energy was from natural gas, biofuels,
worldwide energy demand is constantly and electricity.
increasing due to the evolution of energy
intensive life styles. Experts estimate that As the figure 4.1 shows, road transport
the global demand for energy could rise by accounts for the bulk of the transportation
more than 50% between 2009 and 2030 and energy consumption. The light-duty vehicles
the oil production will reach a peak around (LDVs), including light-duty trucks, light
2020-30. Burning fossil fuels generates CO , a commercial vehicles, and mini-buses accounted
2
greenhouse gas leading to global warming. It is for about 52%, while trucks, including medium
therefore, necessary to find cleaner fuels that and heavy-duty, accounted for about 17%.
do not depend on fossil resources. Remaining share of road transport was
occupied by buses (4%) and two/ three
Vehicular pollution cannot be avoided because wheelers (3%). Road transport has always
the pollutants are emitted at the ground level, dominated the transport sector. For non-
close to human breathing level. Severity of OECD countries, the fastest-growing energy
vehicular pollution is reflected in increased use was by road transport (LCVs, trucks, buses,
human mortality and morbidity and increased and two-three wheelers).
symptoms like cough, headache, nausea,

62 ROADWAYS