Abu Dhabi’s most polluting vehicles to run on clean natural gas
Posted: 15 May 2006
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Twenty per cent of the most polluting vehicles in Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates will have to switch to Clean Natural Gas (CNG) by 2012, according to the Technical Committee that was formed by an Abu Dhabi Executive Council Decree issued in early 2005.
 The Committee was formed to ensure that CNG is used as an alternative fuel in the Emirate. The most polluting vehicles in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are Government-owned vehicles, taxis, buses and drivers’ training vehicles. These vehicles are the most frequently used.
The decision came during the Committee’s 5th meeting, which was held to follow up on the strategy to use cleaner, safer, more economical and more environmentally friendly fuels for cars, as part of a comprehensive plan to achieve Sustainable Development in the Emirate.
The Committee is chaired by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and consists of members from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mubadala, General Police Headquarters, Civil Defense, Emirates Standardization and Meteorological Authority and the Department of Municip ali ties and Agriculture.
Vehicles that will be converted will include those belonging to the Department of Municip ali ties and Agriculture, the vehicles of the Emirates Transportation Association, taxis, vehicles belonging to Abu Dhabi International Airport vehicles and Al Ain Airport, and the rest of the government-owned vehicles.
According to the Committee, significant improvements in Abu Dhabi ’s air qu ali ty can be expected, particularly in the urban areas, if there is a move towards using CNG. The Committee will soon draft the standards and guidelines for the implementation of the decree.
“Air pollution in Abu Dhabi is composed of about 70% of the carbon monoxide, 50% of the nitrogen oxide and 25% of carbon dioxide from gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles,” EAD said. “How dangerous the emissions are from a car, depends on the type of vehicle, its age, how often it is maintained and what type of fuel it has been filled with. Old vehicles that aren’t maintained enough or in an efficient manner, use more fuel and in turn pollute the air damaging the health of the environment as well as humans.”
“CNG is nearly pollution-free and lead-free. It produces 90% less carbon monoxide in exhaust emissions. Not only that, compared to other fuels, CNG has a specific gravity of 0.587. This means it is lighter than air. So if it leaks, it rises up and disperses into the upper atmosphere. While with gasoline, if it leaks, it puddles on the ground and could catch fire,” the agency added.
Why switch to CNG?
- CNG’s fumes are neglible as there is no carbon or other particles in the exhaust
- CNG saves more than 55% of fuel expenditure compared to gas
- CNG extends the life of the lubricating oil as it does not contaminate or dilute the crank case oil
- CNG eliminates frequent vehicle maintenance
- CNG extends the life of the plugs as it does not contain any lead that would contaminate them.
- CNG is stored in cylinders made of special material that withstands high pressure. They are made entirely of a single piece so there are no joints. They are fire and bulletproof.
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