Global Trends in Motor Vehicle Pollution Control - A 1997 Update

Abstract

ABSTRACT Four trends continue to drive the global market for motor vehicle pollution control equipment: • The continued growth in the world’s population • The rising affluence of many rapidly industrializing developing countries, increasing the affordability of motor vehicles • The increasing number of health studies showing adverse effects at lower and lower levels of pollution • The response of governments by adopting more and tighter emissions standards for new vehicles or other incentives to stimulate the introduction of pollution controls on vehicles. As we approach the 21 st century, the global vehicle population exceeds 700 million – almost 500 million light duty vehicles, about 150 million commercial trucks and buses and another 100 million motorcycles. Each year, the vehicle population is growing by about 12 million automobiles, 3.7 million commercial vehicles and 2.5 million motorcycles per year. While the growth rate has slowed in the highly industrialized countries, population growth and increased urbanization and industrialization are accelerating the use of motor vehicles elsewhere. One result is that air pollution is an increasingly common phenomena necessitating aggressive motor vehicle pollution control efforts. The purpose of this report is to survey what is presently known about transportation related air pollution problems, to summarize the adverse impacts which result, to review actions underway or planned to address these problems, and to estimate future trends. Based on these trends, this study will assess the large and growing vehicle pollution control market, expecially with regard to exhaust after treatment systems.