Road transport pollution in South Africa is linked to 2,320 premature deaths and 660 new cases of childhood asthma every year, according to research by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). This translates to one premature death every 13 minutes and one new case of childhood asthma every 23 minutes. The country's vehicle emission standards have not been updated since 2006, while international standards have progressed to Euro 6.
The ICCT's senior researcher, Prian Reddy, attributes part of the problem to the fuel used in South African vehicles. He notes that the country's fuel standards are lagging behind international norms, with the Clean Fuels Two regulations set to come into effect in July next year. These regulations will make low-sulphur 10 ppm fuel mandatory at all fuel stations, allowing manufacturers to introduce cleaner vehicle technology without risking damage to vehicles.
Reddy highlights that the introduction of cleaner fuel will enable the adoption of cleaner vehicle technology in South Africa. However, he also notes that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are reluctant to bring cleaner vehicles into the South African market until there is certainty about the availability of suitable fuel. The current fuel standards pose a risk to vehicles with advanced emission-reducing technologies.
The issue of older cars on South Africa's roads remains a challenge. Updating standards for new vehicles will not immediately address the problem, as existing vehicles will still be in use. Reddy explains that current regulations focus on roadworthiness rather than vehicle age, allowing older cars to remain on the road as long as they pass the required tests.
A potential solution to address the issue of older vehicles is the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, which provides a scrapping allowance to qualifying owners of older taxis. This programme enables them to replace their vehicles with newer, less polluting ones. Reddy suggests that this approach could be explored for other vehicle owners, potentially including grants to help taxi operators transition to cleaner vehicle technology.
The ICCT's research underscores the need for South Africa to adopt cleaner fuel standards and update its vehicle emission regulations. Reddy emphasizes the significant gap between South Africa's air quality and international standards. The country's inaction on this issue has severe health implications, with thousands of premature deaths and new cases of childhood asthma occurring annually.
The South African government is taking steps to address the issue, including the introduction of the Clean Fuels Two regulations. Additionally, there are plans to explore the use of grants to support the adoption of cleaner vehicle technology. However, more needs to be done to address the scale of the problem and ensure a transition to cleaner transportation in South Africa.
Key points
- Over 2,000 premature deaths in South Africa are linked to road transport pollution annually.
- The country's vehicle emission standards have not been updated since 2006.
- The Clean Fuels Two regulations will make low-sulphur 10 ppm fuel mandatory at all fuel stations in South Africa.
