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Press Release
Tightened vehicle emission standards to take effect
Starting from January 1, 2006, all newly registered light motor vehicles are required to comply with the Euro IV emission standards while emission standards for diesel private cars will be tightened up to the most stringent Californian standards.
A spokesman of the Environmental Protection Department said today (December 30) that the Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) (Amendment) Regulation 2005 would take effect from January 1, 2006.
Under the Amendment Regulation, newly registered motor vehicles having a design weight up to 2.5 tonnes and newly registered diesel private cars are required to comply with the tightened emission requirements.
"The tightened standards will help reduce emissions from motor vehicles further. A Euro IV light duty vehicle emits about 50 per cent fewer pollutants than a Euro III one," the spokesman added.
The Amendment Regulation also requires those weighing between 2.5 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes to comply with the Euro IV standards from January 1, 2007, at the same time when the European Union will be introducing the standards.
To improve air quality, the Government has been implementing a comprehensive programme since 1999 to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. Under the programme, it is the Government’s plan to continue tightening up vehicle fuel and emission standards in tandem with the European Union as well as to introduce the most stringent available emission standards for diesel private cars.
"The comprehensive programme is in good progress," the spokesman said, citing that the suspended particulates and nitrogen oxides emitted by motor vehicles in the urban areas had been reduced by 79 per cent and 41 per cent respectively by September 2005.
"Nowadays, virtually all taxis use LPG as fuel. Over 60,000 pre-Euro diesel vehicles have been retrofitted with emission reduction devices. Smoky vehicles have also been reduced by about 80 per cent," he added.
"We also plan to tighten the emission standards for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from October 1, 2006. The legislation drafting work is in progress and will be submitted to the Legislative Council for approval when ready," he added.
End/Friday, December 30, 2005
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