Beijing Mandates New Gasoline Passenger Cars Meet Euro 4 Standards From 1 March
16 February 2008
Xinhua. China’s capital Beijing will ban the sale of new gasoline passenger cars failing to meet new emission standards equivalent to Euro 4 starting from 1 March, in a further move to cut air pollution and stage a “green ”Olympic Games. The city has already instituted a temporary ban on diesel vehicles.
All the new light petro vehicles that are on sale in the Beijing market shall have to meet the new China IV standards from the beginning of next month, said Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Environment Protection Bureau.
Furthermore, from July 1, 2008, all the heavy vehicles used for public transportation, sanitation, and mail services should also be in line with the standards. Heavy vehicles for other usages will still enjoy a leniency period of the old China III standards.
Despite a rapid increase in the number of motor vehicles, Beijing has managed to reduce nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide in the air to a level in conformity with its green Olympics commitment.
Gasoline and diesel sold at all outlets in the capital city had to meet the new China IV standards from the beginning of this year.
There are 3.1 million motor vehicles in Beijing and about 1,000 to 1,200 vehicles are added every day.
This is good news.
Good for Beijing & the “green ”Olympic Games, but also good for the Pacific ocean and the global environment.
Kudos where due.
Posted by: John Taylor | 16 February 2008 at 06:15 AM
Unfortunately for 656,000 Chinese people who die each year from the world's worst air quality this is a minimal step. While attention must be paid to tailpipe emissions - the levels of SO2 and particulates remains the highest anywhere in the world.
The cost of cheap stuff in the West is the uncontrolled destruction of environment/human health in China.
Posted by: sulleny | 16 February 2008 at 02:11 PM
Because of the good air quality in Beijing, cars last forever here. But China's commitment to green policy is taking the country forward to becoming one of the greenest in the world.
Posted by: Jo in Beijing | 15 March 2008 at 12:27 AM