China targets heavy polluting diesel trucks with new guidelines on reducing emissions
- Environment ministry promises to improve quality of diesel, crack down on low-grade fuel, and reduce overall nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions
China will take action against highly polluting diesel trucks by imposing tougher fuel and engine standards, raising rail freight volumes and strengthening its monitoring capabilities, according to new guidelines.
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment said in a policy document on Friday it would aim to “significantly increase” the number of diesel trucks capable of meeting emission standards by 2020, targeting a compliance rate of at least 90 per cent by next year.
It also promised to improve the quality of diesel, crack down on low-grade fuel, and reduce overall nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions from fuel combustion.
New trucks that fail to comply with state requirements will not be allowed to enter the market, and some regions will be ordered to implement advanced “China VI” fuel standards starting from July, the document said.
China is in the fifth year of a “war on pollution” but average emission levels in many smog-prone northern cities remain significantly higher than the levels recommended by the government.
Northern regions near the capital Beijing will eliminate more than 1 million outdated diesel-fuelled trucks by the end of 2020. Tougher controls on diesel freight will also be imposed during smog build-ups, it said.
