A new test for diesel emissions from vehicles could dramatically improve air quality in Australia's cities, Federal Environment Minister Robert Hill says.
"The unique vehicle emissions test, developed as part of a $1 million research program, can be used to identify high-polluting vehicles for repair," Hill says.
"It can also provide the tools for governments to measure the effectiveness of other programs to control diesel emissions, such as fleet audit and vehicle maintenance programs."
Under 'Measures for a Better Environment', the government allocated $40 million to the establishment of diesel vehicle test facilities over the next four years.
"The first testing facilities are expected to be operating within six to 12 months," he says.
The new test and other research will contribute to the development of a National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) for diesel vehicle emissions by the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC).
"The test will target problem vehicles to protect people's health and also the health of the environment."
Hill says previous tests measured smoke emissions from vehicles, using either a visible smoke test or an instrument for measuring smoke called an opacimeter. These tests failed to measure fine particles and nitrous oxides and only measured emissions from vehicles traveling at a constant speed.
"This new test will measure emissions from vehicles as they change speed."
As the projects are completed, results are posted on
www.nepc.gov.au.