Clean Car Revolution

The clean car revolution, aimed at reducing vehicular pollution, includes four programs
In Israel, as in other western countries, air pollution is the biggest environmental risk factor for public health. Transportation has a key role in creating air pollution - since cars emit their pollution in populated areas at ground level, they have the biggest impact on public health.

The World Health Organization has determined that pollution from diesel engines is carcinogenic and dangerous.

According to OECD estimates from 2015, some 2,220 premature deaths in Israel every year are caused by air-pollution – and about half of these are caused by vehicular emissions. In 2015, measurements on 7 out of 8 roadside air monitoring stations on major highways in the greater Tel Aviv area exceeded the air quality targets permitted by law. Similar excesses were measured in Jerusalem and Haifa. In addition to the direct health implications, there are also economic implications related to loss of workdays, at an estimate of NIS 28 billion a year.

The main pollutants are diesel powered vehicles such as buses, trucks, minibuses, taxis and old pickup trucks.

KKL-JNF and the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP)’s clean car revolution is comprised of four programs, aimed at reducing vehicular air pollution, with an overall budget of NIS 75 million.

1. Hybrid Taxis

About:
Encouraging taxi drivers to switch to hybrid taxis, with a green vehicle rating of 2 and less, by giving them a NIS 15,000-20,000 subsidy per taxi (depending on the model).

Budget:
NIS 30 million

Benefits:
Of the more than 20,000 taxis in Israel, nearly all have polluting diesel engines, and the fact that they mainly run in urban centers makes the problem even worse. Therefor this program’s effect will be significant and immediate.

Project Phase:
in 2016, all the car importers were asked to submit information about their relevant hybrid taxi models with green vehicle rating of up to two. Union motors, Toyota importer to Israel, won the tender.
Various Toyota models such as Toyota Yaris, Toyota Prius, Toyota Prius Plus are already available to taxi drivers in Toyota dealership throughout the country. The discount is given to the drivers upon payment and the list of models can be found on the MoEP’s website.

2. Electric Buses

About:
As part of this collaboration, the MoEP is offering bus companies financial incentive, up to NIS 400,000, for the purchase of electric buses. All 62 buses to be purchased through this program are expected to be operating by the end of 2017.

Budget:
23 million NIS

Benefits:
Public transportation in Israel is based almost entirely polluting diesel buses that put the health of urban population at risk. These subsidies will help the bus companies increase the number of electric buses in Israel, and significantly decrease air pollution in city centers.

Project Phase:
As of March 2017, there are several companies that won the tender:

  • The Egged bus company received funding for the procurement of 25 buses, to operate in the Haifa Bay area.
  • The Dan bus company received funding for the procurement of 21 electric buses, to operate at the greater Tel Aviv area.
  • The Kavim bus company received funding for the procurement of 6 electric buses, to operate in the Maccabim-Reut area.
  • The Metropolin bus company received funding for the procurement of 5 electric buses, to operate in the Sharon area.
  • The Superbus bus company received funding for the procurement of 5 electric buses, to operate in the Afula area.

All 62 buses to be purchased through this program are expected to be operating by the end of 2017.

3. Electric Car Ride-Share

About:
A NIS 12 million project offering financial support to local authorities for the establishment of electric car-sharing programs. The drivers will be able to pick up any of the program’s 230 cars in one location, and return it to a different location. The first five cities where the program will be operational are Haifa, Kiryat Bialik, Nesher, Kiryat Yam and Netanya.

Budget:
12 million shekels (NIS 10 million from KKL-JNF and NIS 2 million from the Prime Minister’s Office Alternative Fuels Administration)

Benefits:
Electric cars are non-polluting. Encouraging usage of electric cars significantly reduces traffic related air pollution. Car ride-share programs reduce traffic congestion. Similar ventures, in other countries that already have electric car ride-sharing programs, have shown such positive outcomes.

Project Phase:
Preparations for car purchasing are already underway, as well as designating and marking parking spots in these cities. The system is expected to be operational by the end of 2017.

4. Particulate Filters on Garbage Trucks

About:
Soot emissions from diesel-fueled cars have been found to be associated with various diseases, including lung cancer. Garbage trucks drive in population centers, inside residential neighborhoods and therefore can cause increased exposure to soot particles. Installing particulate filters on diesel fueled cars will lead to a 98% reduction in emitted particles.

Budget:
NIS 10 million shekels

Benefits:
Garbage trucks in Israel are diesel fueled and therefor emit increased breathable particulate matter. The nature of their ride, in fits and starts, in residential areas aggravates the problem. According to the MoEP’s instructions, every garbage truck fleet with more than ten trucks must reduce its air pollution. As of August 2017, it will be prohibited to use trucks if the pollution emission standards of the truck do not meet the Euro 4 standard.

Project Phase:
A tender was issued and 10 auto shops were chosen to participate in the program. The particulate filters can be installed in any of these auto shops at a subsidized price of up to 6000 NIS per filter (a subsidy of about 85% of its actual cost).