Ask an expert

Can you please inform members if it will be possible to modify so called older vehicles that are not up acceptable emissions standards in future?

It seems to me, an older Kiwi, that there is every likelihood vehicles built in the reasonably near future will be of the reciprocating piston combustion type similar to most of existing vehicles.

Will it not be economic to add modern technology being applied to new vehicles that improve emissions?

There are two possible areas I can think of and there may be more than catalytic converter advances and more advanced computer controlled fuel injection systems. There should be a demand for this in our country at reasonable cost especially with Government assistance in meeting better standards.

Yours sincerely,

Doug.

From the "Ask Jack" archive - 27 July, 2010

I like the spirit of your idea, but unfortunately the advanced catalytic convertor and injection technology etc is too expensive to make it financially viable to adapt to an older vehicle, especially one that may not be long for this world.

It's not just the technology itself you'd be paying for - which believe me is not cheap, a catalytic converter can easily cost in excess of $2000 - but also the costs in manufacturing parts to suit each application, the fitting of said parts and the calibration of the computer systems to ensure the running of each vehicle matches it's original intended state of tune.

Not to mention the potential costs should reliability become compromised - which is almost a certainty given the level of modification that would be required across the fleet.

It simply would not be possible to upgrade the variety of vehicles in New Zealand's fleet in this manner, let alone getting the government to fork out for such an expense!!

Emissions will by default improve however as distributors will be forced to sell only compliant vehicles and the technology filters through to the used vehicle market in time.