Iran's DOE Insists on Motorbike Scrappage Scheme

EghtesadOnline: Iran's Department of Environment has objected the possible killing of a bill that calls for scrappage of dilapidated motorcycles. The bill is in the Majlis for approval before becoming law.

News ID: ۷۸۴۵۱۹

10 February 2019

An announcement by the DOE was in response to a recent appeal by the Ministry of Industries and domestic motorcycle producers for withdrawing the bill that is in line with the Clean Air Act.

The controversial bill, if passed by parliament, will require local motorcycle makers to phase out one aged two-wheeler for each new gasoline-powered motorbike they sell, ISNA reported

Although the bill is yet not ratified, with help from the ministry, motorbike makers have sent an appeal to lawmakers to kill the bill, according to Financial Tribune.

The 35-article Clean Air Act drawn up by DOE as an integrated approach to help curb air pollution was passed by parliament in July 2017, after gathering dust in the previous Majlis.

The act singles out smog-inducing vehicles, substandard fuel, industrial activities and dust storms as the major sources of air pollution that has worsened over the years largely due to the gas-guzzlers.

DOE Chief Isa Kalantari voiced his objection on the expected move and said, "Scrappage regulations are in line with air pollution reduction policies. Shelving the bill would be unacceptable.”

The vice president added, “Hopefully any change to the Clean Air Act will be rejected. Complete implementation of the act is essential to curb the suffocating air pollution in metropolises.”

Killers, Polluters

Metropolises like Tehran full of motorcycles, many of which are substandard and often responsible for the high number of road accidents as well as air and noise pollution.

There are over 7 million registered motorcycles in the country, almost half of which are in the capital (the actual numbers are said to be much higher).

The number two-wheelers in Tehran is reaching the number of cars in the metropolis that many residents say is close to becoming a giant parking lot. According to the Transportation and Traffic Department of Tehran Municipality there are 4 million cars in the capital.

Toxic emissions released from two-wheeler clunkers are five times more  than an average city car as they are not equipped with catalyst converters and release toxic fumes directly into the environment.

One million motorcycles generate 286 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), 100 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and more than 7 tons of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) everyday,  contributing generously to the worsening air pollution.

With 12,000 premature pollution-related deaths every year, Iran is among the top five countries in terms of air pollution mortality.

Gasoline-powered motorbikes alone account for 25% of the air pollution in the capital, ranked as one of the leading contributors to immature deaths.