Cost and Performance of Automotive Emission Control Technologies

Abstract

The problem at hand is to investigate the near-term commercial feasibility of a wide range of automotive emission control technologies. The central issues can best be explained in terms of the emission control characteristics of each technology and their costs. Governmentally established emission control standards may be viewed as constraints on the use of a given vehicle and engine design. Either the technology meets the standard in use or it will not be sold. Emission control technologies that show promise of near-term manufacturability will be identified. Then, without presuming what future emission standards will be, the emission characteristics of example vehicle-engine combinations will be listed. Technologies that are acceptable, given a specified emission standard, can then be identified by a process of elimination. The approach to identifying the relevant costs associated with a given technology is not as clear cut. One would like to think that the most basic question governing the adoption of a given feasible technology is, "Will it be purchased by the public?" The second part of this paper will discuss the impact of pollution control technology on the economic decisions facing the new car customer. The cost considered by the rational new car consumer involves more than first cost. Other important factors include maintenance, operating expenses, resale value, and financing charges. Since resale value and financing charges are highly time dependent, it is possible that a new car purchaser's decision on which technology to buy may depend on how long he plans to keep the car. A cost annualization procedure will thus be developed which considers these factors.

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