A (black) smoking gun

Much has been said and written on the issue of imported cars from Japan and the emission levels of these vehicles. Some of what has been said is fact, some is emotive and based on observations of visible emissions - notably black smoke. Quite frankly, if you think black smoke is bad enough you are right but some of the invisible emissions are as bad or worse, particulate matter for example.

There are many reasons for strict emission and safety requirements in Japan. Firstly, the Japanese have to compete in international automotive markets where vehicle technology is constantly evolving and, thus, the requirement to reduce exhaust emissions is ever present.

Also, many cities and towns in Japan are very densely populated and the demography, together with necessary high-rise development, means that emissions are often difficult to dissipate.

The relatively new vehicle pool is therefore achieving the minimum emission levels and the strict testing regime of that country encourages regular disposal of both cars and commercial vehicles.

Allied to this, the export of used vehicles to countries with right hand drive takes these vehicles out of the home market and creates the opportunity to sell a new vehicle; the economy benefits in two ways with both domestic and export earnings.

Excessive vehicle emissions are rarely attributable to the country of origin. The countries where pollution occurs most (per vehicle) are those which have purchased redundant manufacturing equipment and are producing copies of outdated vehicles. This does not apply to Japan, nor does it apply to most of the other eastern manufacturers.

The major contributing factors to excessive exhaust emissions are that the vehicle has been serviced incorrectly, has not been serviced at all, it has a major defect or the engine is so worn that remedial work on it would not enhance its emissions performance.

Another cause is what seems to be the routine overloading of commercial vehicles but let us not go down that particular road!

Are these imports achieving the same level of emissions of a new vehicle? Some of the newer ones will be Euro 3 standard at the time of manufacture but are unlikely to have maintained that standard when exported.

Many of the imports were built either prior to the implementation of Euro regulations and at best most of the newer vehicles may achieve Euro 2. All the brand new vehicles on sale have got to be Euro 3 and, to their credit, many have reached (or are very near to) Euro 4 which is very clean.

Additionally, a branded new car dealer will have to provide servicing and maintenance facilities in line with the manufacturers' conditions for granting a franchise which means that their vehicles stand a sporting chance of keeping their vehicles running at a good emissions standard.

However, it does not matter to what Euro level your vehicle was made, if it is not serviced regularly and correctly, it will be a polluter.

So what is the remedy for Malta? The imports, while perhaps not achieving the latest emission standards, are often much better than many of the older vehicles one sees around the islands.

Also, it would be both unfair and impractical to expect every car and truck owner to replace their vehicle with a new one. The answer to air quality improvement will not be found just by the implementation of EU regulations. There are many factors which could make a substantial contribution to the Maltese islands and this is very much a long-term issue.

The answer lies in four main areas - fuel diversity, efficient servicing and maintenance, replacement or re-engining of older vehicles and, probably most importantly, increasing the use of public transport.

Many countries are now using alternatives to petrol and diesel to power vehicles and, while there are some options for Malta, products such as natural gas are not available nor is there sufficient spare land to grow crops to produce bio fuels.

In the mid-1990s, I purchased vehicles and converted them to run on liquefied petroleum gas and, in their day, they were cleaner than conventional vehicles.

In the recent past, however, manufacturers such as Ford and General Motors have had considerable difficulty in exceeding the emissions levels of Euro 3 for new LPG vehicles and the UK government is reviewing duty incentives given to this fuel as the emission benefits are eroded.

LPG is not suited to heavy goods vehicles so any benefit would be restricted to cars and vans. Hybrid vehicles, such as the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, do provide benefits, they run on battery power at slow speed and then on petrol at speeds over 30 mph, charging the batteries. They would perhaps not provide much benefit in Malta as many of the journeys are short and at a slow speed, thus not allowing sufficient charging potential.

The recent initiative by Maltacom to buy electric vehicles is to be commended though it is incorrect to say they are pollution free - they are at the point of use; the pollution occurs at the power station. They are however an excellent alternative to conventional vehicles and the size of the islands is ideal for this type of vehicle.

Ford Motor Company recently had a project (abandoned now I understand) to develop the TH!NK car which was electric powered and completely recyclable.

It was the source of some amusement when a colleague of mine borrowed the vehicle and picked up a speeding ticket in Brighton - this car was quick!

The most cost effective method of reducing emissions has been found to be the installation of a replacement engine compliant to the latest EU regulations combined with the fitting of on board exhaust treatment equipment - a particulate trap for heavy goods vehicles or oxidation catalyst and fuelled by low sulphur or unleaded products.

A major health concern is particulate matter and for a very reasonable cost a trap can be fitted which treats exhaust gases and particulates.

I notice the latest buses supplied to Malta are Euro 3 compliant which is commendable. I do not know if a trap is also fitted but this would be very beneficial to our environment. A project conducted in London to re-engine Routemaster buses, coupled with a particulate trap, reduced air pollution by a measurable degree in the areas of operation.

It should be said, however, that the UK government supported this and other projects with financial assistance but it will help the operator with his "green" credentials when next tendering for the bus routes contract.

I suppose I differ from most people in the Maltese islands in admiring the bus service here! The village in Essex, where I lived prior to relocation, had two buses per day, miss them and you faced a £15 taxi journey home.

The introduction of the new buses in Malta is a significant step but the remainder of the fleet could also be cleaned up by re-engining, thus encouraging wider usage of public transport.

As this contribution is confined to emissions, the issues of rude drivers, clean efficient buses and the adherence to timetables are not covered but they would undoubtedly contribute to more people travelling by bus.

Why the reference to a smoking gun? When I travel to Malta from Gozo, the difference in air quality in Valletta is discernible and if one can smell the pollution the potential harm to residents' health is a cause for concern and not just in the city but in all the conurbations in the islands.

Also, pollution does not recognise city limits and the residents of the rural areas, though not quite as susceptible as city dwellers, are very much at risk from bad air quality.

Research has proved in the UK that there are 25,000 premature deaths each year directly resulting from poor air quality and measures like those described have been introduced to combat this situation.

In all EU projects to clean up vehicle emissions, the lead has been taken by the public sector or suppliers and contractors with a major interest in utilities or government contracts. Most tenders issued by the public sector and utilities suppliers now require potential bidders to include their environmental policy in tender submissions and, though price is always a major factor, failure to have and implement projects to reduce vehicle emissions can often see companies excluded from the tender process.

As I said previously, this is a long-term issue which can only be resolved with the full cooperation of all the population. But when you look in your rear view mirrors (if you look in your rear view mirrors) and see a cloud of black smoke, please remember there are several other "nasties" you cannot see and your vehicle, Japanese import or otherwise, needs attention.