Current Air quality problem and control strategies for vehicular emissions in China

China has experienced very rapid economic development in recent yearsUrban air has very high concentrations of various pollutants, including sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone (O3) and particulate. This paper reviews the changes in air quality in the cities like Guangzhou over the past 15 years, and notes that a serious vehicular-related emissions problem has been superimposed on the traditional coal-burning problem evident in most Chinese cities. As NOx concentrations have increased, oxidants and photochemical smog now interact with the traditional SO2 and particulate pollutants, leading to increased health risks and other environmental concerns. Any responsible NOx control strategy for the city must include vehicle emission control measures. This paper, using Guangzhou as a case, reviews control strategies designed to abate vehicle emissions to fulfill the city’s air quality improvement target in 2010. A cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that, while NOx emission control is expensive, vehicular emission standards could achieve a relatively sizable emissions reduction at reasonable cost. To achieve the 2010 air quality target of NOx, advanced implementation of EURO3 standards is recommended, substituting for the EURO2 currently envisioned in the national regulations. Related technical options, including fuel quality improvements and inspection/maintenance (I/M) upgrades (to ASM or IM240), are assessed as well.