Regulation as inductor of environmental technologies for the reduction of toxic emissions from light vehicles in Brazil

Abstract In recent decades many countries have taken actions to reduce toxic emissions from cars and, especially, reduce risks to public health. Research indicates a statistically significant relationship between carbon monoxide (CO) and respiratory diseases. Regulations were vital to set targets and standards that fostered the technological improvement of automobiles. The goal of this research was to analyze the role of regulation as an inductor to automotive environmental technologies in the reduction of toxic emissions from light vehicles manufactured in Brazil. A qualitative descriptive research with a documentary base was carried out. The diffusion of these technologies in Brazil shows a chronological gap between the implementation phases of the European regulations and Program for the Control of Air Pollution from Automotive Vehicle (PROCONVE). Research results show that regulation has fostered the diffusion of environmental technological innovation, with the introduction of electronic fuel injection, catalytic converter and engine improvement. According to the changes identified, legislation leads to a technological balancing process among car manufacturers with a scale gain, in order to promote the diffusion of environmental technologies to reduce emissions of toxic gases..

摘要 近数十年来，诸多国家已采取行动削减汽车有毒尾气排放，尤为关键的是降低公共健康所面临的相关风险。研究表明，一氧化碳（carbon monoxide, CO）与呼吸系统疾病之间存在具有统计学意义的显著关联。相关法规对于设定减排目标与技术标准、推动汽车技术升级至关重要。本研究旨在分析法规作为汽车环境技术发展的诱导因素，在降低巴西生产的轻型汽车有毒尾气排放方面所发挥的作用。本研究采用基于文献资料的定性描述性研究方法。这些环境技术在巴西的推广情况显示，欧洲相关法规的实施阶段与巴西汽车排气污染控制计划（Program for the Control of Air Pollution from Automotive Vehicle, PROCONVE）之间存在时间顺序上的差距。研究结果表明，随着电子燃油喷射系统、催化转换器以及发动机改进技术的引入，法规推动了环境技术创新的推广应用。根据本次研究识别出的变化，立法推动了汽车制造商之间的技术均衡进程，使其获得规模效益，以此促进用于削减有毒气体排放的环境技术的推广应用。