Cars will soon have to be far cleaner than
they are today to qualify for green incentives.
The Government is reviewing the Carbon Emissions-based
Vehicle Scheme (CEVS), which now dispenses rebates or surcharges
based on how much carbon dioxide (CO2) a car or taxi emits.
A new scheme is likely to measure other pollutants
emitted, such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate
matter, or soot from diesel cars.
The new scheme could kick in as early as July 1, when
the current scheme expires.
However, the change could be delayed so as to be in
line with the Euro 6 emission standards, which will take effect for
petrol vehicles from September and diesel models from January next
year.
The CEVS revision is likely to affect diesel vehicles
most. Although they produce less CO2 than petrol equivalents,
diesel engines tend to emit more nitrogen oxides, which is harmful
to the environment and can also lead to serious health issues, and
particulate matter.
Observers said this impending change to the new scheme
could be why taxi companies like ComfortDelGro and SMRT have been
ramping up their fleet of petrol-electric cabs.
Mr Neo Nam Heng, chairman of Prime group of companies
which runs Prime Taxi, noted that in 2009, it was the first cab
company to use hybrid cabs.
"Diesels have good CO2 levels, but the NOx (nitrogen
oxides) and PM (particulate matter) are a real problem," he
said.
This is why a number of cities, including Paris and
Madrid, are planning to ban diesel vehicles, he added.
Mr Neo, who is also adviser to the Automobile Importer
and Exporter Association, said incentives like road tax exemptions
should also be considered for petrol-electric hybrid commercial
vehicles like vans and lorries.
He pointed out that these commercial vehicles, which
are mostly diesels, account for nearly 60 per cent of Singapore's
total pollution from vehicles, even though they make up around 30
per cent of vehicles on the road.
Motor Traders Association president Glenn Tan said
moving away from a carbon-centric scheme is "the way to go".
"It is better to have a balance of various pollutants,
rather than focusing just on CO2, which can be one-sided as... you
are trying to reduce pollution on the whole," he said.
Mr Clarence Woo, executive director of the Asian Clean
Fuels Association, said moving towards a scheme that considers
other pollutants is good news.
"CO2 causes global warming, even though it is not
strictly a pollutant," Mr Woo noted.
"So the focus has been on having more efficient
engines, which reduces CO2, and indirectly reduces other
pollutants. But I think we have to deal more directly with these
other pollutants."
The Land Transport Authority and National Environment
Agency would not provide details when asked about the review.
In a statement, they said: "We are in the midst of
reviewing the scheme and will share more details when ready."
TNP
