Emission tests for petrol and LPG vehicles start from Nov 1

Owners of petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles are reminded that emission tests will become part of the annual roadworthiness inspection of their vehicles from November 1 this year.

A spokesman for the Transport Department said today (October 27) that the scheme was one of the Government's measures to clean the air and improve the environment.

He said: "As we all know, a vehicle in good condition will use less fuel and produce cleaner exhaust emission. Poorly maintained vehicles will emit up to 10 times more pollutants.

"To meet people's need for mobility and at the same time increase the livability of the city, the Government have devised the scheme to ensure vehicle owners to have their vehicles properly tuned and serviced.

"We also hope this will encourage vehicle owners to develop eco-driving habits," added the spokesman.

Under the scheme, all petrol and LPG vehicles, except motor cycles, motor tricycles and vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1975, are required to undergo exhaust emission tests during the annual roadworthiness inspection.

However, only private cars aged six years or more, and all commercial vehicles are required to undergo the annual inspection.

The tests will measure the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon concentrations from the exhaust of a motor vehicle at idle and high idle conditions.

Different emission standards are set to reflect the motor vehicle emission control technology at the time the vehicle was manufactured. The standards are set at levels similar to those of the European Union and Japan.

As the emission tests are part of the annual roadworthiness inspection, vehicle owners need not to pay any extra fee for the test.

The spokesman said vehicles with proper service and maintenance should be able to pass the emission tests.

"To facilitate vehicle owners, one free re-check for those vehicles which have failed the emission tests will be offered in the first two weeks," he added.

For enquiries, please call the Environmental Protection Department hotline 2827 2722 or Transport Department Vehicle Examination Division on 2829 5470.

The details of the exhaust emission standards for petrol and LPG vehicles are as follows: