Reducing car exhaust emissions

Japan's Ministry of the Environment has announced the world's strictest rules for car exhaust emissions:

1. In a bid to dramatically reduce particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), newly implemented emission regulations for diesel motor vehicles will come close to matching those for gasoline motor vehicles.
2. With concerns to PM emissions for gasoline motor vehicles, the same level of PM regulations will be implemented as for diesel motor vehicles.
Following this amendment, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will make partial amendments to the "Announcement that Prescribes Details of Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles" (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Announcement No. 619 of July 15, 2002) under the Road Vehicles Act.

NHK World notes that these regulatory standards, announced on Thursday, will be implemented in 2009 for all new diesel vehicles:

The new rules call for lowering the level of particulate matter emitted every 1 kilometer of travel to 5 to 7 milligrams, depending on the type of vehicle. The figures are nearly 60 percent less than current standards, and near the minimum level that can technically be measured. The rules also require diesel vehicles to cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 40 to 60 percent. These cuts are greater than those in Europe, which is implementing similar measures. The Environment Ministry hopes the new regulations will help reduce air pollution across the country. Last year, 71 points along major roads failed to meet current standards on nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions.

Good, lets hope they get serious about stopping all the idling cars as well, especially taxis and construction trucks. What a waste.

Comments

tokyoexpat said…
Hi, this is a great post and something that I was thinking about this morning on muy way to work. I put a link to your blog on mine today. Cheers!
OzBurger said…
Hi, Yeah great post. (Guess which blog I found your link at??) (Then Guess what I did with your link after that?).

Anyway, I get a little frustrated whenever I see some guy sitting in a car and just relaxing while his car is idling away. They probably don't care as it is a company car and they are just clawing back some personal time from the long hours they work.

Personally I'd be happier if they stepped into a cafe to relax than to let the car run.
Martin J Frid said…
Thanks for the comments!! Idling and sleeping in the car and having the company pay the bill, well, that could explain why it is popular. Of course people need a rest, but indeed a proper break would be better.

Popular posts from this blog

Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War

マーティンの鵜の目鷹の目 -世界の消費者運動の旅から

Salvador Dali, Hiroshima and Okinawa