The Environmental Protection Department has extended the application period of the one-off grant scheme for all pre-Euro diesel commercial vehicles from September 30 to March 31, 2010.

The deadline will be the same as that for Euro I diesel commercial vehicles after the extension.

The measure will accelerate the replacement of aged diesel commercial vehicles to improve roadside air quality.

In addition to extending the application period for the one-off grant, the department is also considering other measures, such as raising licence fees of old vehicles after the extended deadline ends to provide an added impetus to vehicle owners to replace their old vehicles with cleaner ones.