Yerevan could ban use of cars lacking catalytic converter

Yerevan City Hall is discussing a number of possible new regulations to reduce air pollution, including banning the use of vehicles that lack a catalytic converter, Mayor Tigran Avinyan has said.

He told reporters that Yerevan has experienced air pollution problems for many decades. 

“We’ve started to talk about this because we have the required equipment that has been showing significant deviations from the norm in winter months. But this isn’t only Yerevan’s problem, such a picture is recorded in the entire Ararat valley in those months,” he said.

City Hall has already developed its 4-year action plan for mitigating air pollution. The action plan focuses on planting evergreen trees, but other measures are also envisaged.

“The action plan includes measures pertaining to the use of cars without catalytic converters, as well as stronger supervision on polluting plants [industries],” the Mayor said.

He didn’t rule out banning the use of cars without catalytic converters in the future.

“You know, I think at some point that would stem from Armenia’s obligations because we are a member of various international green initiatives. Actually, caring for our health, we will introduce such restrictions,” he said when asked whether banning the use of cars without catalytic converters is considered.

A catalytic converter, used in internal combustion engines, is an exhaust emission control device which converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from the engine into less-toxic pollutants. Because of the external location and the use of valuable precious metals such as platinum and palladium in them, catalytic converters are often a target for thieves.

Most gasoline-powered vehicles made after 1975 are equipped with catalytic converters by the manufacturer to comply with environmental protection standards.