DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM
DEPARTMENT OF MINERALS AND ENERGY
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. PHASING IN OF EMISSION STANDARDS FOR NEW ROAD GOING VEHICLES
3. PHASING IN OF ENABLING FUELS
4. EMISSION STANDARDS FOR EXISTING AND OLD VEHICLES
5. LEGISLATIVE IMPLICATIONS
A NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE CONTROL OF EXHAUST EMISSIONS FROM ROAD GOING VEHICLES IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
It is recognised that vehicle emissions contribute to air quality degradation.
The most important pollutant species present in vehicle emissions are heavy
metals such as lead and sulphur oxides, nitrous oxides and unburnt hydrocarbon
materials.
In response to the potential impact of vehicle emissions on health and the environment,
Government wants to adopt a national strategy for the control of exhaust emissions
from road going vehicles in South Africa. The proposed strategy is outlined
below.
2. PHASING IN OF EMISSION STANDARDS FOR NEW ROAD GOING VEHICLES
European vehicle emissions are representative of international best practice
and the South African automotive industry standards are aligned with European
standards. It is therefore appropriate that South African vehicle emission follow
European standards. The specifications for the relevant Euro-Standards are given
on website www.unecc.org/trans/main/welcwp29.htm .
To allow the South African automotive and liquid fuels industries the necessary lead-time, vehicle emission standards will be phased in as follows:
Petrol-driven vehicles
January 2004
ECE 83/02 (Euro1): All newly homologated vehicles.
January 2006
ECE 83/03 (Euro2): All newly homologated vehicles.
January 2008
ECE 83/03 (Euro2): All new vehicles
January 2010
ECE 83/05 (Euro4): All newly homologated vehicles
January 2012
ECE 83/05 (Euro4): All new vehicles
Diesel-driven vehicles
January 2006
ECE 83-04(Passenger vehicles and light delivery vehicles): All newly homologated
vehicles
ECE R 49-02(Heavy vehicles of GVM more than 3,5t): All newly homologated vehicles
January 2010
ECE 83-05(Passenger vehicles and light delivery vehicles): All newly homologated
vehicles
ECE 83-05(Heavy vehicles of GVM more than 3,5t): All newly homologated vehicles
January 2012
ECE 83-05 (Passenger vehicles and light delivery vehicles): All new vehicles
ECE 83-05 (Heavy vehicles of GVM more than 3,5t): All new vehicles.
Note(1) ‘Newly homologated” means new vehicle models homologated
in terms of SABS Code of Practice 0267
(2) “New vehicles means all vehicles newly manufactured.
3. PHASING IN OF ENABLING FUELS
Appropriate fuel quality is a prerequisite for the realisation of effective tailpipe emission limits. In the context of a South African strategy to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions on the environment and to meet the needs of the South African motor industry the oil industry will be required to provide fuel of a suitable quality that are compatible with the vehicles available on the market and that will ensure the attainment of the regulated emission standards.
Similar to vehicle emission standards, European fuel standards will be used as benchmark specifications although deviation from these specifications will be allowed should specific circumstances warrant it and as long as the attainment of the prescribed emission standards is not compromised.
The following specific aspects should be noted:
PETROL
1. Sulphur. The maximum sulphur content of unleaded petrol shall reduce to 500 ppm from 2004 and to 50 ppm from 2010.
2 Benzene content. In line with European specifications the benzene content in petrol would be 1 per cent from 2010. A phasing-in derogation allowing a maximum content of 3 per cent would be allowed if evidence emerge that the attainment of the prescribed vehicle emissions will not materially be compromised and that no other deleterious health impacts can be ascribed to the higher limit.
3. Aromatics. In line with European specifications, the aromatic content in
petrol would be 35 per cent from 2010. An initial phasing-in derogation allowing
a maximum content of 42 per cent would be allowed if evidence emerge that the
attainment of the prescribed vehicle emissions will not materially be compromised
and that no other deleterious health impacts can be ascribed to the higher limit.
4. Ethers. The use of ethers such as MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), ETBE
(ethyl tertiary butyl ether) and TAME (tertiary amyl methyl ether) will be allowed
to a maximum oxygen content of 2,7 per cent.
5. Heavy metal additives. In the light of concerns and uncertainties regarding the environmental and health impacts of these additives its use will be restricted. The addition of MMT (methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl) to unleaded petrol will therefore only be allowed to 2006. Thereafter it will only allowed in lead replacement petrol up to 2008.”
DIESEL
1. Sulphur. The maximum sulphur content of diesel will be reduced to 500 ppm
from 2006 and a second diesel grade with a maximum diesel content of 50 ppm
will be made available on a voluntary and selective basis. Diesel with a maximum
sulphur content level of 50 ppm shall be nationally available by 2010.
2. Polycyclic aromatics. To be in line with European specifications from 2010
but a phasing-in derogation would be allowed if evidence emerge that the attainment
of the prescribed vehicle emissions will not materially be compromised and that
no other deleterious health impacts can be ascribed to the higher limit.
4 EMISSION STANDARDS FOR EXISTING AND OLD VEHICLES
Vehicles sold before the dates specified above will not be required to meet the prescribed emission values. It is expected that as a result of the improved quality fuel the noxious emissions from these vehicles will considerably be reduced. Current tailpipe emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles will remain in place and will be enforced by the appropriate authorities. Consideration will be given to the inclusion of tailpipe CO and smoke measuring in roadworthy testing.
5 LEGISLATIVE IMPLICATIONS
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, will be the lead agency
for the regulation of vehicle emission standards in terms of the to be enacted
Air Quality Management Act, which will introduce ambient air quality and tailpipe
emission standards for motor vehicles. The National Department of Transport
provincial and local authorities in conjunction with the SABS will prescribe
the procedures required for exhaust emissions from new vehicle emissions.
Regulations pertaining to fuel quality will be implemented by the Department
of Minerals and Energy in terms of the Petroleum Products Amendment Act.
H/theuns/vehicle emissions and fuel quality//strategy for vehicle emissions vers1.doc