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5.4.4 EMISSION ASSESSMENT
The GHG emission evaluation using the JEC and DLR methodologies shows that
NGVs offer about a 10% reduction of GHG compared to diesel vehicles. An additional
15% reduction can be reached by blending CNG with a 20% mixture of biometh-
ane.
Regarding pollutant emissions, NGVs have always been the cleaner option compared
to diesel vehicles. With the introduction of EURO 6 standards, the costly after-treat-
ment of diesel exhaust gases was established. However, it is questionable whether
the existing driving test cycles of EURO 6 really guarantee the promised low
emissions for urban transport. Future limits may make the after-treatment of diesel
even more complex and costly.
Especially in the sector of heavy-duty vehicles like buses and garbage collection
trucks, NGVs today already possess significant ecological and economic advantag-
es over diesel engines. These advantages will only magnify when, as a result of
political pressure, diesel emissions are properly tested under typical operating
conditions in urban areas.
With the right cars available, passenger cars with high yearly mileage figures, like
taxis and messenger services, offer a significant reduction potential of pollutants in
city centres of the CEE region.