Vehicle users increase emission checkup

Major users of motor vehicles in Beijing have promised to intensify inspections to reduce emissions of pollutants during the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Beijing.

As part of efforts by the Beijing municipal government to control pollution for better air quality during the APEC meeting from Wednesday through Nov 11, the city's environment protection bureau signed agreements with 34 major users of public vehicles ahead of the event.

According to the agreements, they must inspect each vehicle every day it runs during the week to ensure all emissions meet the national standard, the bureau said.

The authorities also received commitments from the city's vehicle inspection agency and oil storage operators to intensify air-pollution control measures during the week.

According to a report released by the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau earlier this year, 31 percent of PM 2.5 in Beijing's air comes from vehicle emissions, making it the biggest single source of the particles.

The particulate matter that is smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter is considered the major contributor to air pollution in Beijing and is harmful to people.

The other major sources of the particles are coal burning, which accounts for 22 percent, and factory emissions (18 percent).

The 34 vehicle users, covering sectors including public transport, postal services, environmental protection, taxis and tour buses, own more than 60 percent of all vehicles owned by Beijing's key industries, according to Chen Sanzhong, supervision director of Beijing's motor vehicle emission management center.

"The municipal environment protection authorities have made detailed plans for the APEC week," Chen said. "We will impose the maximum punishments allowed for violations of environmental protection."

For example, driver of vehicles will be fined up to 3,000 yuan ($490) if pollutants discharged from the vehicle exceed the national standards, he said.

The city will also intensify inspections of vehicles coming from other areas, and inspectors will be on 24-hour duty at all entrance checkpoints to ensure all vehicles entering Beijing meet emissions standards, the official said.

Xu Xikui, a network operation manager for China Post, said the company will try to minimize the number of postal vehicles on the roads in Beijing during the week of the APEC meeting to reduce emissions.

"We will intensify inspections and maintenance of all vehicles that will enter the areas near the meeting venues to ensure their emissions are up to standard," he said.

Beijing Public Transport Holdings, one of the 34 companies that made the pledge, bought more than 3,000 buses powered by natural gas to reduce emissions this year, said Zhang Jinsheng, a manager in the technical department of the company.

wangxiaodong@chinadaily.com.cn