Most cars on the road are exempt from current emissions reduction legislation
By Ray Datt
Let’s face it - people love the freedom that comes with owning a car.
And in Canada, there are 19 million examples of that affinity for freedom on the road today and a million more every year. But that freedom comes with a consequence – pollution.
Car manufacturers claim that a vehicle produced today is 37 times cleaner than one produced in 1987, and 12 times cleaner than one from 1993. A significant improvement – however, 13 percent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions and 10 percent of smog-causing emissions still come from passenger vehicles.
Government support plays an integral role in environmental issues, as emissions gain attention on the international political agenda. The Kyoto Protocol challenges countries to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The recent G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany was another milestone for political commitment to reducing emissions around the world.
Government actions within Canada, however, are falling short. Feebate and incentive programs promote the retirement of older, more polluting vehicles. But with a mere 5 percent of today’s vehicles aged at 20 years or more, these policies affect a very small segment of the fleet.
Although support for research and development into more fuel-efficient propulsion technologies pave the way for cleaner vehicles, newer vehicles only account for 1 percent of vehicle contributions to smog and greenhouse gas emissions. Again, these government initiatives are missing the mark for the majority of today’s vehicles, leaving the bulk of the fleet unaffected.
More support is needed for the programs that address all vehicles on the road. The automotive aftermarket is he key to finding comprehensive solutions to vehicle emissions reductions.
Most vehicles on the road are serviced by the automotive aftermarket.
Any product or service that a vehicle requires after it is assembled by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is an aftermarket product or service. The automotive aftermarket is a $16.1 billion industry that directly employs more than 220,000 Canadians. It is made up of companies that manufacture, distribute and install automotive replacement parts, accessories, tools and equipment.
In 2004, Car Care Canada, with support from the automotive aftermarket, launched the Canadian Be Car Care Aware (BCCA) consumer education campaign to promote regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair. The campaign’s goal is to build awareness and knowledge and prepare consumers to make sensible decisions about vehicle maintenance. The program focuses on dependability and safety, enhancing and maintaining vehicle value, and protecting the environment.
Through the Be Car Care Aware website (www.carcarecanada.ca), vehicle-owners learn about the various parts of their cars, and gain a better understanding of potential problems. A shop finder tool lists independent repair and service facilities participating in the program.
May was Car Care Month, and Car Care Canada promoted the environmental benefits of vehicle maintenance. Kelly Williams and Jean-Francois Veilleux, race car drivers and BCCA spokespeople, toured the country hosting industry presentations, media interviews and free Consumer Car Check Events.
Early results show a net failure of 79 percent for vehicles inspected at Car Check Events, meaning that the majority of Canadian vehicles on the road today require servicing. BCCA gives vehicle-owners a chance to speak with technicians about repairs and services in a no-pressure environment, and learn more about maintenance.
Of the vehicles inspected, 14 percent had under-inflated tires. In addition to severe safety implications, this is a concern for the environment. Improper inflation can cause 15 percent more gas to burn because the engine has to work harder. Higher fuel consumption means more greenhouse gas and smog emissions. Similarly, wheels that are not properly aligned (as evidenced by uneven tire tread) also rob energy.
Properly maintained tires last longer, lessening the volume of scrap tires for disposal.
Another significant finding was that 11 percent of the vehicles inspected had dirty air filters. Replacing clogged filters could improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. When an air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, the engine must work harder and the vehicle becomes less fuel efficient.
The message reaching Canadians through Be Car Care Aware is that a little can go a long way. Regular vehicle servicing can greatly increase a vehicle’s lifespan and significantly reduce a vehicle’s strain on the environment.
Awareness is important among Canadians vehicle-owners to help them make environmentally-sound choices about vehicle maintenance. Be Car Care Aware takes an all-encompassing approach to emissions reductions for vehicles on the road in Canada.
The automotive aftermarket recommends that more support be directed to programs such as Car Care Canada’s Be Car Care Aware in an effort to create a cleaner, greener Canada.
Ray Datt is president of the Automotive Industries Association of Canada.