Ricardo Emissions Legislation - Hong Kong
 
   

Status

The standards from 1 January 2002 for light goods vehicles and light buses of up to 3500 kg vehicle design weight are as shown in Tables 1A to 1C. In most categories a choice is allowed between certification by United States, Japanese or European test procedures.

Air quality in Hong Kong has deteriorated significantly in recent years. Much of Hong Kong's air pollution is generated by road based vehicles. The Hong Kong government has introduced a number of measures to reduce emissions. "Civic Exchange", a non-profit making public policy research organisation in Hong Kong, is to identify a program to promote cleaner technologies that control or eliminate air pollution from transportation. The ultimate goal is zero emissions from transportation, probably by means of hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles. Intermediate enabling technologies should be encouraged. Hong Kong should aim to become a leader in cleaner transport technologies [3].

Proposed amendments to the "Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations" [4] - July 2001, recommended that "for certain classes of newly registered motor vehicles of design weight below 3.5 tons" Hong Kong should introduce Euro III emissions standards (or equivalent US or Japanese standards) from 1st January 2002 [1], [2].

The same document proposes the adoption of OBD for all newly registered gasoline vehicles of design weight below 3.5 tons from January 2002 ).

The proposal was adopted as amendments L.N. 101/2001 and L.N. 102/2001 of Air Pollution Control (Vehicle Design Standards) (Emission) Regulations 1991 (August 2001).

   
STANDARDS
   

Vehicles registered on and after 1 January 2002 must conform to the standards of any of the tables 1A to 1C

 
Table 1a - FTP 75 Test procedure for vehicles registered from 1 January 2002
Weight Category
NMOG
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
PM
g/km
Evap
g/test
Positive Ignition
up to 1.7 t
0.047
2.10
0.12
-
2.0
1.7-2.5 t
0.047
2.73
0.25
-
2.0
2.5 - 3.5 t
0.121
3.10
0.37
-
2.0
Diesels
up to 1.7 t
0.047
2.10
0.12
0.05
-
1.7 to 2.5 t
0.062
2.73
0.25
0.05
-
2.5 to 3.5 t
0.121
3.10
0.37
0.05
-
Table 1b - By Japanese 10.15 Mode procedure or Japanese 13-mode gasoline test procedure* for vehicles registered from 1 January 2002
Weight Category
HC
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
Evap
g/test
Positive Ignition
up to 1.7 t
0.08
0.67
0.08
2.0
1.7-2.5 t
0.087
2.10
0.13
2.0
*2.5 - 3.5 t
0.08
2.10
0.13
2.0
Table 1c - By European Test Procedure - Type I Test and Type IV Procedure (Evaporative) for Vehicles registered from 1 January 2002
Gasoline
Design Weight
tonnes
Reference Mass
kg
HC
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
Evaporative
g/test
<1.7
1.7 -> 2.5
up to 1305
0.20
2.3
0.15
2.0
<1.7
1.7 -> 2.5
2.5 -> 3.5
1305-1760
0.25
4.17
0.18
2.0
<1.7
1.7 -> 2.5
2.5 -> 3.5
1760+
0.29
5.22
0.21
2.0
Diesel
Design Weight
tonnes
Reference Mass
kg
HC + NOx
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
PM
g/km
<1.7
1.7 -> 2.5
up to 1305
0.56
0.64
0.50
0.05
<1.7
1.7 -> 2.5
2.5 -> 3.5
1250-1700
0.72
0.80
0.65
0.07
<1.7
1.7 -> 2.5
2.5 -> 3.5
1700+
0.86
0.95
0.78
0.10
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Systems

From Jan 1st 2002 the scope of the OBD requirements is expanded to include light duty trucks up to 3.5 tonnes. These are to conform to the requirements of:
- a. the OBD system specifications of the California Air Resources Board,
- b. the European Union OBD specifications as in the Directive 98/69/EC; or
- c. the OBD system specifications administered by the Ministry of Transport of Japan.

 
PREVIOUS STANDARDS
 
Vehicles registered between 1 July 1999 and 31 December 2000 had to conform to the standards of any of the Tables 2A to 2C.
 
Table 2a - By FTP 75 Test Procedure for Vehicles Registered 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000
Weight Category
NMHC
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
PM
g/km
Positive Ignition
up to 1.7 t
0.16
2.10
0.25
-
1.7-2.5 t
0.20
2.73
0.43
-
2.5 - 3.5 t
0.24
3.10
0.68
-
Diesels
up to 1.7 t
0.16
2.10
0.62
0.05
1.7 to 2.5 t
0.20
2.73
0.60
0.06
2.5 to 3.5 t
0.24
3.10
0.68
0.08
Table 2b - By Japanese 10.15-mode procedure or Japanese 13-mode gasoline test procedure* for vehicles registered 1 July 1999-31 December 2000
Weight Category
HC
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
PM
g/km
Positive Ignition
up to 1.7 t
0.25
2.10
0.25
-
1.7-2.5 t
2.10
13.0
0.40
-
*2.5 - 3.5 t
6.2 g/kWh
102 g/kWh
4.50 g/kWh
-
Diesels
up to 1.7 t
0.40
2.10
0.40
0.08
1.7 to 2.5 t
0.40
2.10
0.70
0.09
Table 2c - By European Test Procedure - Type I Test and Type IV Procedure (Evaporative) for Vehicles registered 1 July 1999 - 31 December 2000
Gasoline
Reference Mass
HC + NOx
g/km
CO
g/km
Evaporative
g/test
up to 1250 kg
0.50
2.20
2.0
1250-1700 kg
0.60
4.0
2.0
1700+ kg
0.70
5.0
2.0
Diesel
Reference Mass
HC + NOx
g/km  IDI/DI
CO
g/km
PM
g/km  IDI/DI
up to 1250 kg
0.70/0.90
1.0
0.08/0.10
1250-1700 kgt
1.0/1.30
1.25
0.12/0.14
1700+ kg
1.20/1.60
1.50
0.17/0.20
 
Vehicles registered between 1 January and 31 December 2001 had to conform to the standards of any of the tables 3A to 3C
   
Table 3a - FTP 75 Test procedure for Vehicles registered from 1 January 2001
Weight Category
NMOG
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
PM
g/km
Positive Ignition
up to 1.7 t
0.047
2.10
0.12
-
1.7-2.5 t
0.047
2.73
0.25
-
2.5 - 3.5 t
0.121
3.10
0.37
-
Diesels
up to 1.7 t
0.047
2.10
0.12
0.05
1.7 to 2.5 t
0.062
2.73
0.25
0.05
2.5 to 3.5 t
0.121
3.10
0.37
0.05
   
Table 3b - By Japanese 10.15-mode procedure or Japanese 13-mode gasoline test procedure* for vehicles registered from 1 January 2001
Weight Category
HC
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
PM
g/km
Positive Ignition
up to 1.7 t
0.25
2.10
0.25
-
1.7-2.5 t
2.10
13.0
0.40
-
*2.5 - 3.5 t
1.8 g/kWh
51 g/kWh
4.50 g/kWh
-
Diesels
up to 1.7 t
0.40
2.10
0.40
0.08
1.7 to 2.5 t
0.40
2.10
0.70
0.09
 
Table 3c - By European Test Procedure - Type I Test and Type IV Procedure (Evaporative) for Vehicles registered from 1 January 2001
Gasoline
Reference Mass
HC
g/km
HC + NOx
g/km
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
Evaporative
g/test
up to 1305 kg
0.20
-
2.30
0.15
2.0
1250-1700 kg
   
0.60
4.0
   
2.0
1700+ kg
   
0.70
5.0
   
2.0
Diesel
Reference Mass
HC
g/km
HC + NOx
g/km  IDI/DI
CO
g/km
NOx
g/km
PM
g/km  IDI/DI
up to 1305 kg
     
0.56
0.64
0.50
0.05
1250-1700 kg
    
1.0/1.3
1.25
     
0.12/0.14
1700+ kg
     
1.2/1.6
1.50
     
0.17/0.12
 
NOTES
Every diesel powered motor vehicle registered on or after 1 April 1995 must be so constructed that no excessive smoke is emitted from the vehicle. It is deemed excessive if it exceeds either of the levels indicated in the table below. (Motor cycles, special purpose vehicles and vehicles incapable of exceeding 50 km/h on level ground, are exempted from this rule and the other emissions regulations):
 
Table 4 - Diesel Smoke Test

Test Procedure

Max permitted smoke level

Max permitted smoke level in absolute units of light absorption (m-1)

Free acceleration test procedure of Directive 72/306/EEC as amended by Directive 89/491/EEC

40 Hartridge Smoke Units

1.20

Vehicles observed emitting excessive smoke must be examined and tested at a vehicle emissions testing centre. ( 44,000 vehicle tests were carried out under this programme in 1995 ).

Every spark ignition motor vehicle registered after 1 January 1992 must be constructed to operate on unleaded fuel only and its filling pipe must not accept a 23.6 mm diameter petrol pump dispensing nozzle.

In 2003, Diesel and gasoline fuel-Sulphur levels were limited to 50ppm and 150ppm respectively from 1 December 2003.

In addition, the retro-fitment of particulate-reduction devices to vehicles registered before enforcement of European emissions legislation was announced [5]. This applies to light goods vehicles and light buses registered before 31 March 1995.

   
Acknowledgements Hong Kong Air Pollution Control, with amendments to 2000
AECC Newsletter, May-June 2001
The Autoparts Report, 18 Jun 2001
Sources [1]. Doc.113186
[2]. Doc.112965
[3]. Doc.114593
[4]. http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr00-01/english/panels/ea/papers/a1147e.pdf
[5]. Interregs, November 2003
   

Last updated: 1 June 2004

Changes - Lower sulphur fuels and retrofitment of diesel particulate reduction devices to older vehicles mandated.

Doc.ref.HK/1

 
   

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