Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04 Reply Serial No.
CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO
INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION
ETWB(E)037
Question Serial No.
Head : 44 Environmental Protection Department Subhead(No. & title): 0013
Programme : (2) Air
Controlling Officer : Director of Environmental Protection
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question : Would the Government inform this Council:
The Government has introduced a number of grant schemes for motor vehicles to improve the air quality.
Please provide the amount of subsidies granted and the commitments approved by the Finance Committee for
each of these schemes up to the current financial year. How many different types of vehicles are included and
what is the number of vehicles involved in these schemes? What is the percentage of such vehicles in
respective types? What are the major air pollutants in quantity and in percentage before and after the
implementation of these grant schemes?
Asked by : Hon. CHOY So-yuk
Reply : The grant schemes that the Administration has been implementing since 2000 for reducing motor vehicle
emissions are summarized in the following table:
Gototop
Grant Schemes
To assist pre-Euro diesel vehicles
up to four tonnes to be installed
with particulate removal devices
(Item 553)
To encourage the early
replacement of diesel taxis by
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
taxis (Item 554)
To encourage the early
replacement of diesel public light
buses by LPG or electric light
buses (Item 570)
To install particulate removal
devices in large pre-Euro diesel
vehicles not undertaking long
idling duties (Item 568)
Approved
Commitment
($ Million)
Total grant paid
up to 10.3.2003
($ Million)
50.880 31.177
The number of
eligible vehicles
The proportion of
eligible vehicles in
the related vehicle
group
(%)
About 30,000 about 45
725.520 676.280 18,138 100
261.000 20.460
600.000 0.695
4,350 100
About 41,000 54
The above measures are part of the comprehensive motor vehicle emission control programme aimed at reducing
the respirable suspended particulates and nitrogen oxides emissions by 80% and 30% respectively by end 2005.
In absolute terms, the programme can reduce up to 1,700 tonnes respirable suspended particulates and 3,000
tonnes nitrogen oxides from the annual motor vehicle emissions in the urban areas.
Signature
Name in block letters ROBERT J. S. LAW
Post Title Director of Environmental Protection
Date 20 March 2003