We would like to clarify some misunderstanding on our vehicle emission control programme published in MY TAKE by Alex Lo on 16 November 2015.
To reduce roadside air pollution and protect public health, we have since September 2014 been deploying roadside remote sensors to monitor exhaust emissions from petrol and LPG vehicles. After identifying a vehicle with excessive emissions, we will serve an Emission Testing Notice (ETNs) to the vehicle owner. He or she will have to fix the emission problem and take the vehicle to a designated emission testing centre for an emission test. If the vehicle fails to pass the emission test within 12 working days, its vehicle licence will be cancelled.
In line with the international practice, we test a Euro 3 vehicle as per the performance of a Euro 3 vehicle including setting the emission limits at two times of a vehicle’s design emission standard to allow for normal wear and tear of its engine. If the emission limits are pitched at a more stringent Euro 5 standard as suggested by the author, the test would be unduly stringent and is unlikely to be met even with reasonable maintenance.
Our remote sensors comply with the specifications set by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair, which represents the best practice internationally. They are calibrated automatically every two hours to ensure accurate measurements. We also deploy two sets of sensors at the same spot and will issue an ETN only when both sensors have registered excessive emissions. About 4,300 ETN were issued up to October 2015.
The above screening arrangement has been endorsed by an expert group comprising relevant experts, academics and representatives of the Transport Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.
If a vehicle owner has objection or query on our ETN, he should contact us on the hotline as provided on the ETN as soon as possible.
ST Mak
Acting Principal Environmental Protection Officer (Mobile Source)
Environmental Protection Department