The Air Pollution Control (Emission Reduction Devices for Vehicles) Amendment Regulation 2006 was gazetted today. It will require all long-idling, pre-Euro heavy diesel vehicles to install approved emission-reduction devices from April 1.

The amendment - which is subject to the Legislative Council's approval - aims to reduce particulate emissions.

Vehicle owners who fail to install and maintain the approved devices in good working condition will be liable to cancellation or non-renewal of their vehicle licences, the Environmental Protection Department said.

Diesel vehicles are a major source of roadside air pollution in Hong Kong, and a pre-Euro vehicle emits 30 times more particulates than a vehicle that meets Euro IV standards.

The emission-reduction device can reduce about 30% of the particulates emissions from a pre-Euro diesel heavy vehicle.

Background

Since April 2006, the law has required all pre-Euro diesel vehicles, except those long-idling pre-Euro heavy diesel vehicles, to have similar approved emission-reduction devices.

In 2005, a voluntary Government programme helped owners of local long-idling pre-Euro heavy diesel vehicles to install emission-reduction devices in their vehicles. About 95% of such vehicles participated.