Sustainable Transportation – The importance of Pollution Tax
All the resources that we experience now are the result of the past. The present world needs to think about the future generations.
What do we leave for the future?
Natural resources that can be used again and again without affecting the environment are called sustainable resources.
Now, what is sustainable transportation?. It is the kind of transportation that is eco-friendly that does not harm the environment by any means. As we know, transportation involves lots of emissions that affect the atmosphere. To avoid such emissions of harmful gases from fuel exhaust, sustainable mode of transportation is a must for a better environment in this vast growing population.
Sustainable transportation is a way to keep the environment green. There are various ways for sustainable transportation like walking, cycling, vehicle sharing, electric vehicles, green vehicles, etc. These sustainable transportation modes do not emit any harmful gases and pollute the environment, hence they are the most preferred modes of transportation for a better future.
Although there are no pollution taxes implemented in India so far, Pollution taxes and its regulations are the ones that can keep the emission levels under control. Every government has their own regulations with respect to their emission levels. To ensure a pollution free atmosphere, pollution taxes are a key factor with increased number of vehicles on the road.
Why is sustainable transportation necessary?
Sustainable transportation is the need of the hour with the increasing effects of global warming resulting in adverse climatic changes. And it is also necessary for us to keep the air clean to breathe fresh and for a healthy environment.
Population explosion is one of the major concerns for the pollution levels due to more vehicles on the road. Every individual cannot drive on their own private vehicles which would result in higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Instead there are several ways to make transportation sustainable.
You can walk or ride a bicycle to your nearby places instead of driving a car. Vehicle sharing is also an important factor that can reduce the emission levels to some extent. Urban areas contribute more on emission levels as there are a lot of vehicle movements involved compared to rural areas.
Urban transportation can be made sustainable with the help of more public transportation. A bus can carry 30 people at a time which is far better than 30 people driving their own private vehicles. Public transportation has huge benefits for a better environment.
Public transportation is economical, it does not cost much as it costs higher for the maintenance and fuel charges of private vehicles. Public transportation reduces the congestion levels on roads that ultimately reduces the emission levels.
Public transportation also makes people travel stress free of adverse weather conditions, rash driving or any other issues involved with private transportation.
Importance of pollution tax and the role of PUC certificate
Pollution tax is the tax levied on vehicles that pollute the environment. India being the populated nation, as per the reports of WHO, India has the 13 cities out of 20 most populated cities around the world.
And India is also considered to be one of the top emitters of carbon after China and the US. These emissions levels have a huge impact on the environmental conditions and public health.
India holds the most number of death cases due to respiratory illness. Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a common health issue caused by pollution. Harmful gases like nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide in the air are the most harmful gases that cause such acute respiratory infections.
Carbon emissions are caused by burning of petrol, diesel and coal which are very much harmful for the environment. Developing nations like India are focusing on reduction of carbon emissions by introducing carbon taxes.
Without any systematic regulations, emission of such harmful gases cannot be put under control. Pollution taxation is a much needed one for controlling pollution.
PUC certificate is a certification of Pollution Under Control (PUC). These certificates are issued by the emission testing centres after testing the vehicles based on its type of fuel used. Diesel engines are tested by pressing the accelerators and then the emission levels are checked. Whereas in petrol run vehicles, emission levels are tested with just the engines On. These PUC certificates are valuable for the period of 1 year and again they can be renewed in the emission testing centres after the testing by paying the renewal fee.
Although there are several benefits of pollution taxation, it has its own drawbacks when it comes to the logistics industry. Logistics is heavy vehicles. Trucks are the ones who contribute maximum to the emission levels.
Pollution taxation will lead to increase in trade prices which will make companies to look for the areas or the cities that have lower taxation or the cities that have no taxation.
Is fleet sustainability good for business?
Fleet sustainability is the act of focusing on the performances of the fleet vehicles to reduce the environmental impacts. Fleet sustainability can be achieved through various ways like electric vehicles, alternative fuels, fuel efficient driving, vehicle sharing, reducing vehicle idling.
Telematics devices like GPS tracking and fuel monitoring systems on fleets can be of great use that gives the exact location of the vehicle, quantitative analysis of the fuel usage, driving patterns can be known and vehicle idling can be controlled.
These telematics devices are efficient enough for better fuel usage. Telematics devices and more of upcoming technology can be applied on the fleets using alternative methods like electric motors which can be more efficient and eco friendly without causing any harm to the environment.
Is sustainability good for business?. It is good for the business. Once the electric motors come into market, the fuel cost will be cut off for the companies as the fuel cost is the raising concern for the logistics industry.
An alternative fuel at lower cost or the electric motors are the hope for the future of transportation. Such sustainable transportation will definitely be a positive one for the business and the environment.
Sushanthi
Sushanthi is a Content Writer who wishes to be the voice of brands to project their innovative ideas and stories through her writing skills.