The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced today (December 9) a special arrangement of extending the deadline for ex-gratia payment application for phasing out pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles (DCVs) for six months.

     The EPD launched an ex-gratia payment scheme for phasing out pre-Euro IV DCVs since 2014 and the scheme has been progressing well. Except some Euro III DCVs, all pre-Euro, Euro I and Euro II DCVs have been phased out.

     Given the current economic situation, the Government fully understands the operational difficulties faced by transport trades and some owners of Euro III DCVs might not be able to complete the necessary procedures of scrapping and de-registering their vehicles and submitting their applications for ex-gratia payment by the original deadline of December 31, 2019.

     To address the above situation, the Government will introduce a special arrangement to extend the ex-gratia payment application deadline for phasing out Euro III DCVs to June 30, 2020. Approval of the ex-gratia payment is subject to the applicant meeting all other prevailing eligibility criteria and completing all necessary procedures under the ex-gratia payment scheme, and submitting the application for the ex-gratia payment on or before June 30, 2020.

     Besides, in accordance with the Air Pollution Control (Air Pollutant Emission)(Controlled Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 311X), the Government will stop issuing/renewing vehicle licences to Euro III DCVs after December 31, 2019. Euro III DCV owners who need to apply for vehicle licence renewal after the deadline shall apply to EPD for exemption under Section 6 of the Regulation for extending the retirement deadline.  

     For details of the ex-gratia payment scheme and the above special arrangement, please refer to EPD's website (
www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/Phasing_out_diesel_comm_veh.html) or contact EPD by calling 2651 1100 or by email to preEU4dcv@epd.gov.hk.

Ends/Monday, December 9, 2019
Issued at HKT 8:30

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