ISSN:
1436-378X
Keywords:
Environmental regulation Lead emission Leaded gasoline Unleaded gasoline Refinery Automobile market Low-emission car Catalyst Gasoline market
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract. Environmental protection policies in the automobile market were not implemented until the motorisation of the masses in the 1960s caused an increasing environmental burden. The rising air pollution was considered a latent danger to humans, animals and plants. In the years up to 1985 the EU passed several regulations to limit the mass pollutants CO, CxHy and NOx. Germany was the first EU-member nation to also be concerned with lead in gasoline, passing reduction regulations as early as 1971. In 1986, several EU-member nations implemented the supply of unleaded gasoline. This decision was predominantly based on information about widespread forest damage. The reduction of lead emissions due to these regulations could be verified in different environmental systems. An example of this was the decline of atmospheric lead concentrations and human blood lead levels in Germany. With regard to industries, the German mineral oil and automobile markets were affected mostly. The price trend of gasoline was no longer only influenced by varying crude oil prices but also by tax discrimination between leaded and unleaded fuel. With regard to the distribution system, the market positions particularly of the medium-sized traders and the independent importers were weakened. In the automobile market, favourable terms of competition were experienced by producers who had already gained experience with catalyst systems in the US market. The Gasoline Lead Content Regulations had no significant effects on further economic indicators, except for competition.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s101130000019
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