MOT shake-up plans welcomed - Alternative view from Sulnox

Plans to improve monitoring of harmful emissions as part of the MOT test have been welcomed by a fuel tech company which is seeking to clean up motoring.

The government has announced a public consultation on the future of MOTs, with recommendations including moving the date of a new car’s first MOT from three years to four years.

The consultation will also seek views on how to improve monitoring of emissions to tackle pollution to bolster the environmental efficiency of vehicles.

Potential new measures include introducing testing of pollutants such as particulates and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to ensure diesel, petrol and hybrid cars meet emissions requirements throughout their lifespan.

British-based SulNOx Group Plc has developed technology which has been shown in tests to significantly reduce greenhouse gases including NOx, and particulate matter.

Nawaz Haq, Executive Director at SulNOx Group, said: “We welcome the government’s plans to look more closely at pollutants that are pumped out by vehicles on the UK’s roads. We have said for a long time that petrol and diesel cars will be around for many years to come and it is therefore vital that manufacturers seek to improve engine efficiency and that emissions from tailpipes should be more closely monitored.

“We understand that not all the recommendations put forward by the government in this consultation are popular, but improved testing and monitoring of harmful emissions should definitely be seen as a priority.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of curbing fossil fuel use. In the transport sector, WHO has outlined stricter vehicle emission targets and efficiency standards. Other recent reports by world leading authorities, including the United Nations have outlined the need for improved efficiencies of internal combustion engines while they are still in use. 

“Analysis shows that over seven years, half a million people have died from causes including asthma attacks, exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia because of fine particulate matter. Hospital admissions for lung conditions have doubled in England and Wales from 1,535 per 100,000 in 1999 to 3,143 per 100,000 in 2019.

“This is a public health crisis and needs a robust response.”

SulNOx says if its technology was integrated throughout fuel stations in the UK for petrol and diesel, in a similar way to the rollout of E10 petrol, it could potentially remove the equivalent of over five million cars from UK roads and reduce CO2 equivalent by 10 million metric tons.