New diesel vehicles are set to face tougher emissions regulations, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said yesterday.
The new rules are expected to come into effect by 2012. The EPA stated that the changes are modeled on the Euro5 regulation that came into effect in EU member states late last year.
The percentage of diesel cars sold in Taiwan has been steadily growing since the government lifted a ban on small diesel vehicles in 2004. The EPA estimated that more than 10,000 diesel vehicles are sold annually.
Regulations allow diesel vehicle exhaust emissions to contain up to 25 percent smoke. This will be cut to 15 percent for new vehicles and 20 percent for older vehicles when the new rules come into effect. The EPA stated that the amount of carbon dioxide and other emissions permitted will also be lowered.
The EPA also announced tougher restrictions on diesel fuel. The new rules limit sulfur content to 10 parts per million (ppm), down from the original 50ppm.
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