Singapore, 6 April 2018 – To reduce air pollution, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be offering an incentive of up to $3,500 for owners of older, more pollutive motorcycles which were registered before 1 July 2003, to de-register their motorcycles over the next five years. NEA will also tighten the in-use emission standards for these motorcycles from 6 April 2023. These motorcycles will no longer be allowed for use on Singapore’s roads after 30 June 2028.

2          Air pollution is a key threat to public health in many cities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk. Over the years, the Government has introduced various initiatives to tackle vehicular emission, which is a key source of air pollutants such as Ozone and Particulate Matter (PM). These initiatives include the introduction of Euro VI emission standards, the Vehicular Emissions Scheme, the Early Turnover Scheme for commercial vehicles, and the tightening of in-use emission standards for vehicles. Singapore is still working towards meeting the air quality targets for these pollutants (refer to Annex A for Singapore’s air quality targets for 2020).

3          The new initiative addresses the large contribution to air pollution by motorcycles. While motorcycles make up 15 per cent of the local vehicle population, they contribute around 50 per cent of Carbon Monoxide (CO) from vehicles. Motorcycle emission is a public health concern because it contains Hydrocarbons (HC) and CO, which are precursors to Ozone. CO and Ozone are known to impair respiratory functions.

4          Older motorcycles are more pollutive. Those registered before 1 July 2003 (i.e. before the introduction of Euro I emission standards for motorcycles) emit up to about 10 times more CO and 30 times more HC compared to a Euro IV motorcycle today. Such older motorcycles make up around 20 per cent of Singapore’s motorcycle population, but account for about 40 per cent of CO emitted by motorcycles.

Up to $3,500 Incentive to Encourage Owners to De-register Older Motorcycles

5          To reduce air pollution, NEA will offer an incentive which will be available over the next five years, to owners who de-register their older motorcycles. All owners of motorcycles that were registered before 1 July 2003 are eligible for the incentive, if their motorcycles have a valid 10-year COE as of 6 April 2018, and are de-registered on or before 5 April 2023. Around 27,000 motorcycles would meet the criteria for the incentive. Owners of motorcycles which are on the 5-year non-renewable COE, or the Classic, Vintage (Restricted), and Revised Vintage Vehicle Schemes as of 6 April 2018 are not eligible.

6          The incentive will consist of two components. The owner of an eligible motorcycle will receive $2,000 if the motorcycle is de-registered on or before 5 April 2023. If the motorcycle’s COE is not renewed on or after 7 April 2018, the owner will receive an additional $1,500 upon its de-registration. The owner will also receive a rebate for the unused COE period, upon its de-registration. Owners of motorcycles registered before 1 July 2003 will receive a letter from NEA by end-April 2018 informing them of their eligibility for the incentive. Owners may also log in to www.onemotoring.com.sg to check the first registration dates of their motorcycles (refer to Annex B for details on the incentive).

Tightened In-use Emission Standards and Phase Out of Older Motorcycles

7          From 6 April 2023, MEWR/NEA will tighten the in-use emission standards for motorcycles registered before 1 July 2003. These motorcycles can continue to be used until 30 June 2028 if they meet the tightened in-use emissions standards. More details will be released later.

8          After 30 June 2028, all motorcycles[1] registered before 1 July 2003 will no longer be allowed for use on Singapore’s roads. By then, the youngest motorcycle in this group will already be 25 years of age. Motorcycles on the Classic, Vintage (Restricted) and Revised Vintage Vehicle Schemes are exempted as they are already subjected to restricted usage.

9          Motorcycle owners may refer to www.nea.gov.sg or contact NEA at 1800-CALL NEA (2255-632) for enquiries.

How to apply for the incentive

            Upon successful de-registration of the eligible motorcycle, NEA will send an application form to owners via mail to fill out in order to receive the incentive. NEA will credit the payment directly into the bank account specified within two months upon complete submission of the application by the eligible owner.

2              For more details on the application for the payout, owners may visit www.nea.gov.sg or call 1800-CALL-NEA (1800-2255-632).