Phasing
out Diesel Taxis
6.Since
January this year, Government has tendered out five large
sites for exclusive use as LPG refilling stations. The
terms did not require any land premium. A formula to cap
the price at which LPG would be sold was required. The
successful bidders have set a price for LPG that will
cut the operating costs for a taxi by about $45,000 each
year. This, together with the cheaper price of LPG taxis,
creates a strong incentive for most taxi operators to
switch to LPG as early as possible.
7.Our
objective is to provide sufficient LPG refueling capacity
for all 18,000 taxis by the end of 2001.
Phasing
out Diesel Light Buses
8.A
preparatory committee comprising representatives from
relevant government bureaux and departments, the light
bus trade and academics with relevant expertise was set
up last December to work out arrangements for the trial
of alternative light buses.
9.The
trial will be launched next month with 5 electric light
buses and 11 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) light buses.
The 16 alternative-fuelled buses will be operated in 8
fleets under the management of experienced light bus operators
to test their performance under real-life commercial light
bus operations. This will allow representative operational
data to be gathered. The trial will last for 6 months.
10.A
monitoring committee is being set up to review the progress
of the trial and vet the gathered data. Its members will
be drawn from the preparatory committee plus fleet managers
and representatives from the participating vehicle suppliers.
11.In
order to allow the outcome of the trial to be acted on
promptly, vehicle manufacturers will be kept informed
of progress so that preparation for the provision of new
vehicles can be made. Planning has also been undertaken
to ensure that additional LPG refilling capacity to be
provided to meet any demand from public light buses within
2002.
Particulate
Traps
12.Trials
of particulate traps for light diesel vehicles and of
systems for cleaning the traps have been completed. At
its meeting on 12 May 2000, the Finance Committee of the
Legislative Council approved the Administration's request
for funds to begin implementation of the scheme.
Diesel
Catalysts
13.In
collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University,
a trial of diesel catalysts has been launched.It will
enable a specification for catalysts suitable for local
large diesel vehicles to be established. The trial started
in February 2000. It will last for 12 months since the
variety of large diesel engines, operating conditions
and fuel qualities encountered is extensive.
14.A
monitoring committee comprising representatives from relevant
government departments, the transport trades and the Motor
Traders Association is overseeing the trial.
15.Subject
to the findings of the trial, we plan to assist owners
of pre-Euro large diesel vehicles to retrofit them with
suitable diesel catalysts in 2001.
Enforcement
against Smoky Vehicles
16.The
Secretary for Environment and Food has signed a resolution
to increase the fixed penalty for smoky vehicle offences
to $1,000. It is due to be debated at the Legislative
Council meeting on 31 May 2000.
17.Since
the introduction of the chassis dynamometer test for light
diesel vehicles in September 1999, over 1,000 vehicles
have had their licences recommended for cancellation after
failing the test. It is intended to introduce chassis
dynamometer tests for large diesel vehicles later this
year.
18.From
September 2000 the Transport Department will extend to
all diesel vehicles attending their roadworthiness inspection
a more thorough smoke test procedure.
Promoting
Proper Maintenance and Eco-driving technique
19.Since
August 1999, the Environmental Protection Department,
in collaboration with the Vocational Training Council
and the Hong Kong Productivity Council, has provided training
sessions for 750 vehicle mechanics on proper engine repair
to reduce smoke emissions. The Environmental Protection
Department has also held eight discussion sessions and
one workshop with the transport trade and vehicle mechanics
to promote understanding of the dynamometer smoke test.
A vehicle supplier has recently organised a seminar to
help vehicle mechanics to maintain vehicles supplied by
them.
20.In
addition to its existing wide range of training programmes
on vehicles, in March 2000 the Vocational Training Council
started a new course on the diagnosis and repair of smoky
diesel vehicles. This covers the advanced smoke test on
a chassis dynamometer. The course can train up 2000 in-service
mechanics a year.
21.In
January 2000, a Working Group on Vehicle Maintenance Services
was formed. It comprises representatives from the transport
trade, government departments and professional bodies
to consider ways to improve vehicle maintenance standards.
Issues being studied include training of vehicle mechanics/technicians;
making available technical data for vehicle maintenance;
the feasibility of a licensing system for vehicle mechanics,
etc. The Working Group is studying both long and short-term
improvement measures. It will put forward recommendations
for the Administration's consideration by early next year.
22.To
promote good driving and maintenance habits to reduce
smoke emissions, since the end of 1999 the Environmental
Protection Department has organised four seminars on eco-driving.
23.The
Environmental Protection Department is preparing to launch
a 3-month campaign next month to strengthen vehicle owners'
awareness of their vehicles' need of proper maintenance.
This will include the provision of free tests on a chassis
dynamometer.
Emission
Requirements for Newly registered Vehicles and Auto Diesel
24.The
European Union will start to introduce the Euro III emission
standards to newly registered motor vehicles in January
2001. To support this, the maximum permitted sulphur content
in auto diesel will be reduced from 0.05% to 0.035%. A
Euro III standard vehicle with the lower sulphur diesel
will emit about 38% less particulates and 20% less hydrocarbon
and nitrogen oxides than the equivalent Euro II model.
25.In
keeping with the policy of adopting the most stringent
practicable emission standards for all new vehicles, the
Administration will introduce the Euro III standard here
in parallel with its adoption in the European Union.
Task
Force
26.The
Administration has set up a Task Force to oversee the
implementation of the additional air pollution control
initiatives and the 1999 Policy Address measures. It is
chaired by the Secretary for Environment and Food. Other
members are representatives of the Secretary for Transport,
Secretary for the Treasury, Secretary for Planning and
Lands and Secretary for Economic Services, the Director
of Environmental Protection and the Commissioner for Transport.
Other members from the Hong Kong Police, Customs and Excise
Department and other bureaus and departments will attend
as required. The Task Force will also study other proposals
for improvement of air quality.
Advice
Sought
27.Members
are invited to note and give their views on the new initiatives
and the progress of the existing measures.
Environment
and Food Bureau
May 2000
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