Need For Gov't Regulations To Decrease Diesel Sulphur

The Green Party strongly supports calls for a reduction in sulphur levels in New Zealand diesel, Green Party Transport spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.

"We need new government regulations that set lower levels of sulphur in diesel."

But other measures are needed as well to tackle the health risks of toxic vehicle pollution and improve air quality in urban areas, Ms Kedgley said.

Ms Kedgley said harmful particulates and other emissions found in diesel exhaust and benzene in petrol were of concern, as well as sulphur levels in diesel.

"Smokey diesel-fuelled vehicles emit toxins which are recognised as being highly carcinogenic.

"If we are to get serious about improving air quality in our cities we need nationwide vehicle emissions standards and compulsory emissions tests as part of warrant of fitness tests.

"As a first step, government needs to urgently introduce compulsory testing of vehicle exhaust emission pollution levels as part of the Warrant of Fitness test and other measures such as incentives to switch to non polluting alternative transport fuels such as CNG and LPG," she said.

"Most countries introduced mandatory vehicle emissions testing years ago. It is extraordinary that our so-called clean, green country is lagging so far behind."

Ms Kedgley challenged the government to take a lead by converting its fleet to low or zero emission vehicles.

"Many governments actively encourage gas vehicle fleets and have introduced financial incentives for commercial transport operators and motorists who convert their engines or upgrade to CNG or LPG."

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