Looking beyond inspection and maintenance in reducing pollution from in-use vehicles

Abstract

It is increasingly realized that despite rapid improvement in emission standards for new vehicles, emissions from automobiles will continue to be a major source of urban air pollution in the large cities in India. Proponents of inspection, maintenance, and certification (IM) for in-use vehicles believe that this is a panacea for all the problems. There is evidence in the literature to suggest that IM is both expensive and far less effective than other available policies. With public health and public money at stake, it is important to examine available alternative policies and instruments for reducing pollution from in-use vehicles. This article analyses these policies, and, on the basis of the main conclusions that emerge from this exercise, suggests the policies for reduction of pollution from in-use vehicles.