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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) reminded the owners of vehicles and commercial garages today (January 23) that transitional arrangements launched on October 17 last year for the strengthened emissions control of petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles will expire on January 31.
In response to feedback from the owners of LPG taxis, light buses and garages saying that more time was needed to fix defective engine parts to reduce emissions for passing the EPD's new chassis dynamometer emission tests, the EPD announced on October 17 last year the implementation of two transitional measures to last until January 31 this year. The two transitional measures are: (i) extending the period allowed for petrol and LPG vehicles that are found emitting excessive emissions to pass the emission tests from 12 working days to 25 working days; and (ii) providing up to two free tests to those petrol and LPG vehicles that have failed the first emission test on condition that the vehicle owners pay for the first emission test.
An EPD spokesman said, "The vehicle maintenance trade has already adapted to the emission tests under the new control programme. The overall passing rate of petrol and LPG vehicles after chassis dynamometer emission tests at the EPD's designated vehicle emission test centres has risen from 50 per cent in September last year to 80 per cent currently. The passing rate of taxis and light buses is more than 90 per cent. Among the vehicles passing the emission tests, about 70 per cent passed at the first attempt.
"If vehicle owners cannot pass the emission tests before the deadline under the emission testing notices (ETNs), their vehicle licences will be cancelled. Since September 1 last year when the strengthened emissions control for petrol and LPG vehicles came into force, the EPD's mobile remote sensing equipment has scanned about 190 000 vehicles and about 1 400 ETNs have been issued. Subsequently, about 60 vehicles have either been voluntarily scrapped by the vehicle owners or their vehicle licences have been cancelled by the Transport Department.
"Starting from February 1 this year, the testing period of ETNs issued by the EPD will revert back to 12 working days and no free tests will be provided to vehicles failing their first emission test."
The spokesman again appealed to petrol and LPG vehicle owners to replace the catalytic converters of their vehicles in a timely fashion and also to regularly check their vehicles so as to avoid causing excessive emissions due to the failure of engine parts.
Proper vehicle repair and maintenance can reduce vehicle emissions, improve driving performance and lower fuel consumption. Last year, the EPD organised a number of technical seminars for the vehicle maintenance, taxi and minibus trades and distributed technical guidance notes to garages. The EPD will continue to step up publicity and help enhance vehicle maintenance by the owners of vehicles and garages to minimise vehicle emissions.
To enquire about strengthened emissions control of petrol and LPG vehicles, please call the EPD hotline at 3619 6610.
Ends/Friday, January 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:39
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