Press Release
Amendment Regulation to tighten vehicle emission standards
The Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) (Amendment) Regulation 2006 was gazetted today (May 19).
A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department said that the Amendment Regulation would tighten the emission standards further for newly registered heavy duty vehicles and motorcycles in tandem with the European Union.
"To reduce vehicle emissions, Hong Kong has been introducing the most stringent motor vehicle fuel and emission standards as soon as they can be made available to the local market. On January 1, 2006, we started in phases implementing Euro IV standards for light duty vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes," he said.
"The Amendment Regulation aims to tighten the emission standard for the remaining vehicle class (i.e. motor vehicles weighing over 3.5 tonnes) to Euro IV level from October 1, 2006. It also requires all newly registered motorcycles to comply with Euro III emission standards from January 1, 2007," he added.
A Euro IV heavy duty vehicle emits about 30% and 80% less nitrogen oxides and particulates respectively than a Euro III model. A Euro III motorcycle emits about 90% and 50% less hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides respectively than an existing model.
Japan and US standards will be accepted whenever they have the same effectiveness in reducing emissions.
The Amendment Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on May 24. Subject to the approval of the Council, the amendments will take effect on October 1, 2006.
End/Friday, May 19, 2006
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