Almaty Air Initiative Campaign: Vehicle Emissions Testing

Results

Vehicle emissions are one of the main causes of poor air quality in Almaty. According to the Administrative Police, nearly 600,000 vehicles are registered in the city. “Sergek” system data shows approximately 400,000 vehicles enter Almaty daily. However, emissions are monitored at only 19 eco-posts, each checking around 50 vehicles per day—insufficient to cover the full traffic flow.

Another issue is the low effectiveness of technical inspections. Our study shows that emission control is nearly absent and many vehicles operate without catalytic converters. Without proper inspections, drivers cannot confirm their vehicles meet environmental standards.

Thus, drivers risk fines for exceeding emission limits but cannot reliably measure their vehicles’ emissions. If penalties are enforced, effective preventative measures—like proper inspections—must also be in place.

Free Emission Testing: Improving Air Quality Together

We launched a campaign for vehicle owners to test emissions for free, allowing drivers to check their emissions without any risk of penalties.

In partnership with the “Renaissance Plus” laboratory (also operating at eco-posts), we conducted emissions measurements at several city locations. Importantly, results are published anonymously, not recorded in any database, and are not reported to authorities.

What Does Exceeding Limits Mean?

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless toxic gas produced by incomplete fuel combustion. Excess CO indicates inefficient combustion—caused by issues with crankcase ventilation, air filter, engine idle speed, fuel pressure, or catalytic converter failure.
2. Hydrocarbons (CH): Organic compounds from unburned fuel. High CH levels may point to fuel injection system issues, oil consumption, ignition problems, or lack of a working catalytic converter.

Measurement Results:

• Tested 51 vehicles (model years 1988–2022).
• Findings:
  • 33 vehicles (65%) exceeded emission norms.
    • 23 vehicles exceeded CO limits.
    • 23 vehicles exceeded CH limits.
• Some vehicles exceeded multiple parameters.

Testing Methods & Standards

Gasoline and LPG vehicles:

• CO and CH measured with a gas analyzer.

Diesel vehicles:

• Opacity (smoke level) used to assess combustion efficiency.

As of January 1, 2024, the new standard ST RK 1433-2023 is enforced:

• Gasoline vehicles are now checked for both CO and CH (previously CO only).

Vehicle ecological class is determined by emissions. Violations are fined under Article 334 of the Administrative Offences Code—10 MCI (approx. 36,920 KZT).

Why So Many Non-compliant Vehicles?

• Aging vehicle fleet with many older, high-emission cars.
• Low driver awareness of environmental and health impacts.
• Lack of catalytic converters on many vehicles.
• Insufficient emission checks during technical inspections.
• Imports of vehicles not meeting modern environmental standards.

Conclusions:

• Emission limit exceedance increases with vehicle age.
• Many vehicles lack catalytic converters or use non-compliant alternatives that do not reduce emissions.
• There is an urgent need to improve emissions control systems and raise driver awareness and compliance with environmental norms. This will enhance air quality and support a healthier future for coming generations.