Funds sought for diesel phase-out
Environmental officials are believed to be seeking more funds to replace dirty vehicles amid a surge in applications for the grants
An unexpected last-minute surge in applications has prompted the Environmental Protection Department to seek more money for its replacement-grant scheme for old polluting diesel vehicles.
The three-year, HK$540 million scheme, aimed at 28,000 vehicles at least 12 years old that conform to outdated European emission standards set in 1996, is due to close at the end of next month.
The department is refusing to say whether it will be extended, as transport operators have asked. But the agenda for Wednesday's meeting of the Legislative Council environment affairs panel, submitted to the panel yesterday, shows the department plans to seek unspecified extra funds.
A source familiar with the situation said funds were needed as there had been a surge in applications from owners of heavy vehicles, especially coaches.
Since its introduction in 2010, the scheme has attracted applications from the owners of about 5,000 Euro II vehicles. The government reported in November that about 4,000 applications with a total of HK$340 million in grants had been approved.
Yesterday, the department's website was still saying the scheme would not be lengthened beyond the June deadline.
The transport trade has been asking for an extension until the launch of a HK$10 billion scheme to replace all vehicles built before the more stringent Euro IV standards were introduced in 2005.