The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (September 29) announced a one-year extension to the application deadlines for the Ex-gratia Payment Scheme for Phasing Out Euro IV Diesel Commercial Vehicles for Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles first registered in 2010 and 2011.

     To improve roadside air quality and better safeguard public health, the EPD launched in 2020 an ex-gratia payment scheme to progressively phase out by the end of 2027 about 40 000 Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles (DCVs) including goods vehicles, non-franchised buses and light buses. Eligible vehicle owners should, during the implementation of the scheme, scrap their Euro IV DCVs through vehicle scrapping companies registered under the scheme. They should then go to the Transport Department to cancel the registration of their DCVs before the deadlines, and apply for the ex-gratia payment within three months after the cancellation of the vehicle's registration.

     Taking into account the challenges and difficulties the transportation industry is currently facing in its operations, some owners of Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2010 and 2011 might not be able to apply for the ex-gratia payment by the deadlines for application (i.e. December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2026, respectively), hence an extension arrangement has been made.

     Under the extension arrangement, the ex-gratia payment application deadline for Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2010 will be extended to December 31, 2026; and that for Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2011 to December 31, 2027.

     The EPD spokesman reminds the owners of Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2010 and 2011 that approval of the ex-gratia payment is still subject to the applicants meeting all other prevailing eligibility criteria and completing all necessary procedures under the ex-gratia payment scheme, and submitting the applications for the ex-gratia payment on or before the new deadlines that apply.

     Moreover, in accordance with the Air Pollution Control (Air Pollutant Emission)(Controlled Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 311X), the Government will stop issuing/renewing vehicle licences to Euro IV DCVs first registered in 2010 and 2011 after December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2026, respectively. The vehicle owners concerned who need to apply for vehicle licence renewal after the deadlines shall apply to the EPD for exemption under Section 6 of the Regulation for extending the retirement deadlines.

     For details of the ex-gratia payment scheme and the above special arrangement, please refer to the EPD's website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/Phasing_out_euro_iv_comm_veh.html) or contact the EPD by calling 2651 1100 or by email to EU4dcv@epd.gov.hk.

Ends/Monday, September 29, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00

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