Tighter emission standards of 40 Hartridge Smoke Units for in-use diesel vehicles and Euro V or its Japanese equivalent JPN2009 for new diesel vehicles

Singapore, 27 December 2013 – From 1 January 2014, a tighter emission standard of 40 Hartridge Smoke Units (HSU)[1] or lower will be implemented for all in-use diesel vehicles. At the same time, emission standard for new diesel vehicles will be revised to Euro V or its Japanese equivalent, JPN2009.

Emission Standards for In-Use Diesel Vehicles

2          It was announced at this year’s Budget Debate that more stringent emission standards for diesel vehicles will be in place to improve ambient air quality, as diesel-driven vehicles are a major contributor of PM2.5. From 1 January 2014, all in-use diesel vehicles will be required to achieve a smoke opacity test result of 40 HSU or lower (from the current requirement of 50 HSU or lower) during their mandatory vehicle inspections for road tax renewal.

3          The National Environment Agency (NEA) has been working closely with the authorised vehicle inspection centres (VICOM, JIC Inspection Services and STA Inspection) to alert owners whose vehicles show borderline results during their mandatory inspection so that they can service their vehicles to comply with the more stringent emission requirements. The adoption of the revised smoke opacity limit will minimise smoke emissions from diesel vehicles plying Singapore’s roads.

4          A six-month grace period will be given for vehicles that have borderline test results, to give time for vehicle-owners to adjust to the higher standards. From 1 January to 30 June 2014, owners of diesel vehicles with smoke opacity test results between 41 and 50 HSU will be issued warning letters. Vehicles with smoke opacity test results exceeding 50 HSU will still be fined, in accordance with the current regulations. Motorists should get their vehicles properly serviced or repaired if they fail the smoke opacity test. From 1 July 2014 onwards, owners of vehicles with smoke opacity test results above 40 HSU will fail the smoke emission test. The owner could also be fined if their motor-vehicle is spotted emitting visible smoke on the road.

Emission Standards for New Diesel Vehicles

5          Also, from 1 January 2014, the permissible emission standard for all new diesel vehicles will be Euro V or JPN 2009, the Japanese equivalent of Euro V.

6          Besides reducing PM2.5 levels, adoption of the Euro V or JPN 2009 emission standards would also reduce other pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone.

7          NEA is committed to ensuring clean and safe air in Singapore. Stringent enforcement action against smoke emissions from motor vehicles, in tandem with the tightening of emission standards for diesel vehicles over time, is part of Singapore’s overall plan to reduce domestic emissions of particulate matter and achieve higher air quality standards.[2]

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