The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (December 23) reminded owners of Euro I diesel commercial vehicles (DCVs) to submit applications for the ex-gratia payment for phasing out their DCVs to the Transport Department (TD) on or before December 31, 2016. Late applications will not be accepted. The TD will also stop issuing licences for Euro I DCVs after the above deadline.

     An EPD spokesman said, "The ex-gratia payment application deadline for Euro I DCVs is December 31, 2016. Owners of Euro I DCVs intending to apply for the ex-gratia payment should promptly submit their applications to the TD."

     "The ex-gratia payment scheme has progressed well since its launch. Up to the end of November 2016, about 48 400 or 59 per cent of pre-Euro IV DCVs were retired under the scheme. Among some 14 000 eligible Euro I DCVs, about 91 per cent of their vehicle owners have scrapped the DCVs and submitted ex-gratia payment applications." The spokesman added.

     Owners of Euro I to Euro III DCVs should pay attention to the following ex-gratia payment application deadlines:

DCVs     Application deadlines
----       ---------------------
Euro I     December 31, 2016
Euro II    December 31, 2017
Euro III   December 31, 2019

     According to the ex-gratia payment scheme for phasing out pre-Euro IV DCVs, after scrapping their DCVs, eligible vehicle owners can apply for the ex-gratia payment on or before the specified deadlines.

     The EPD spokesman reminded eligible vehicle owners to check the application details for the ex-gratia payment, including the eligibility criteria, the latest list of vehicle scrapping companies registered under the scheme and other application details, before scrapping their vehicles. Relevant details are available on the EPD's website at www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/preEU4dcv. Vehicle owners may also call 2651 1100 or email preEU4dcv@epd.gov.hk for enquiries.

Ends/Friday, December 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:00

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