|
Press
Releases - 2000
Chassis
dynamometer test for heavy vehicles
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) will extend an advanced smoke
test, which uses a chassis dynamometer, to smoky diesel vehicles
over 5.5 tonnes under its Smoky Vehicle Control Programme
starting December 28, 2000.
The chassis
dynamometer test is more revealing than the current free-acceleration
smoke test as it can test smoke emissions of a vehicle under
real-life operating conditions.
To introduce
the test, the EPD will help the transport trade and the vehicle
maintenance trade understand the advanced smoke test by organising
demonstration sessions, free trials, as well as technical
seminars on vehicle maintenance between December 28, 2000
and March 30, 2001.
After
the introduction period, smoky vehicles will have to pass
the advanced smoke test.
The Assistant
Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Tse Chin-wan, said:
"To extend the advanced smoke test to heavy duty vehicles
is part of the Government's strategy to reduce air pollution.
"A poorly
maintained diesel vehicle can emit 10 times more pollutants
than a properly maintained one.
"A smoky
vehicle must be properly repaired before it can pass the advanced
smoke test. The new test will help raise the general vehicle
maintenance standard of heavy duty vehicles."
"The
advanced smoke test was first introduced to cover vehicles
up to 5.5 tonnes in September last year.
"Since
then, the number of re-spotted smoky vehicles has dropped
by 50 per cent while the number of smoky vehicles has reduced
by 15 per cent.
"We anticipate
that the extension of the smoke test to heavy vehicles will
further reduce the number of smoky vehicles," Mr Tse noted.
He added
that the EPD would continue to work with the transport trade
and the vehicle maintenance trade in exploring practical measures
to improve the emissions from motor vehicles.
Those
who want to get details of the demonstration sessions, free
trials and technical seminars should call 2755 2501.
End/Tuesday,
December 26, 2000
|
