Beijing announces new pollution prevention policies, several clauses aimed specifically at automobiles

Gasgoo.com (Shanghai January 21) - Beijing has publicly announced new legislation to control air pollution in the city, chexun.com reported today. The draft version of the Beijing Regulations on Prevention and Treatment of Air Pollution, which is currently undergoing public approval, will tighten pollution management of key enterprises and enforce restrictions on automobiles and other motor powered vehicles.

The draft legislation contains a clause allowing the Ministry of Transport to administer restrictions on the use of vehicles. The clause states that the municipal government, in accordance with pollution levels, will have the authority to prevent certain vehicles from being driven in certain districts according to their environmental index. In the analyses of some industry experts, the legislation seems to not be limited to just government use automobiles, but looks like it will also include privately owned vehicles. Judging from penalties for similar traffic laws, fines for automobile owners ignoring the legislation are expected to be around the 100 yuan ($15.96) mark.

Another clause in the legislation is specifically targeted towards parked vehicles. According to the clause, vehicles parked at schools, hospitals, hotels, shopping centers, offices, parks and other similar locations for longer than three minutes must have their engines shut off.

Gasoline stations will also be required to add cleaning agents to their fuel in order to ensure it meets national standards. The Ministry of Environmental Protection will be responsible for the administration of this legislation, and will be allowed to penalize businesses not complying with the law with fines of between 10,000 yuan and 100,000 yuan ($1,595-$15,959).