2021 Hsinchu County mobile pollution source control plan
Abstract
The number of motor vehicles registered in Hsinchu County already reached 553,038. This number includes 315,035 motorcycles that count 57% of the County’s motor vehicles. Although motorcycles bring convenience to human life, the increase thereof year-by-year not only affects our health, but also accelerates global warming due to the exhaust discharged thereby. To improve the air quality of the Hsinchu County, Hsinchu County Environmental Protection Bureau undertakes the “Mobile Pollution Source Control Plan” through outsourcing to implement the policy of having regular examination on motorcycle exhaust and promoting the replacement of old motorcycles with low-pollution vehicles.
I. To increase the County’s regular examination rate of motorcycle, this plan has investigated 10,181 unexamined motorcycles and recognized the license plate of 63,268 motorcycles. According to the statistical analysis, the proportion of motorcycles in Hsinchu County is about 60% and the regular examination rate of two stroke engine motorcycles and old Phases I, II and III motorcycles is relatively low. Besides, to enhance the control of old motorcycles, Phase I to IV motorcycles above 14 years old are targeted to precede a routine spot inspection this year. In total, 420 old motorcycles have been inspected on spot with a unqualified rate of 13.1%. Among them, two stroke engine motorcycles and old Phases I, II and III motorcycles have the highest unqualified rate and average CO/HC concentration. Based on the aforesaid inspection results, it is suggested that the promotion of regular examination and exhaust control shall be continued and enhanced in the future, particularly to two stroke engine motorcycles and old Phases I, II and III motorcycles.
II. Apart from the said inspections, 210,000 notification cards that promote regular examination and 66,767 official notification letters were sent to vehicle owners this year, reminding them to complete the examination on time. The County’s regular examination rate of motorcycles this year was 88.4%. According to the statistical analysis of samples collected among vehicle owners who have completed the said examination, 77.6% of them managed to complete the examination on time (one month before and after the issuance of license) due to their receipt of the notification card; and 22.4% completed the examination after the prescribed period. After further analysis, it is known that 80% of vehicle owners who failed to complete the examination on time took the examination only after being inspected or upon receipt of an official notification letter. This indicates that inspection plus official notification letter can effectively increase the county’s regular examination rate of motorcycles.
III. Currently, the County has 89 motorcycle inspection stations and 192 motorcycle inspection technicians. To manage and facilitate motorcycle inspections, a regular check on inspection stations has been carried out this year. In total, 13 motorcycle inspection stations have been found with deficiency. Among all deficiency items, “failing to conduct the inspection based on the prescribed period” and “no improvement has been made to the deficiency revealed in last inspection” counted the most. Besides, to further understand whether the motorcycle inspection stations privately adjust the vehicle setup or violate any regulations, personnel camouflaged as vehicle owner has been sent to the stations for checkup this year. In total, 7 motorcycle inspection stations have been found of employing disqualified staffs to conduct the inspection; and have been imposed with a penalty according to relevant regulations. It is suggested that motorcycle inspection stations violating the rules this year shall be listed as the priority target for counseling next year; and that the number of checkup shall be increased to enhance the implementation and inspection quality of the County’s motorcycle inspection station.Promote buying electric two wheelers to the elimination of two-stroke motorcycles
IV. Also, to encourage citizens to replace the old vehicles with new ones, Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan offers a motor vehicle replacement subsidy (NTD1, 000 to 3,000/vehicle), enabling nationals to replace the old motor vehicle with an electric two-wheeler or Phase VII fuel motorcycle. In the meantime, Hsinchu County Environmental Protection Bureau further subsidize citizens of Hsinchu County to purchase electric vehicles with an amount of NTD2,000/ vehicle. Through the subsidy programs this year, 5,881 old motor vehicles have been replaced with new ones; and 1,240 new electric vehicles have been purchased. According to the types of vehicles used to replace the old ones, more than 91.9% of the citizens decided to purchase the Phase VII fuel motorcycles. Only account for 7.2% to replace the old vehicles with purchase electric vehicles. It shows that people are still more accustomed to using fuel locomotives as means of transportation.
V. According to the announcement of the Environmental Protection Agency, there are still 78,731 old fuel locomotives registered in Hsinchu County at the end of 2020 (was manufactured before the end of June 2007). Through strengthening the inspection of old locomotives, diversified publicity and providing subsidies for replacement of old locomotives, etc. The county has eliminated 9,778 old motorcycles; reduce the number of registered old motorcycles in the County from 78,731 to 68,953. Among them, 721 two-stroke locomotives and 9,057 four-stroke locomotives were eliminated.
VI. Based on this year’s motorcycle unqualified rate of regular examination, the County totally reduced 53.809 t of NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons), 412.435 to of CO (carbon oxide) and 4.504 t of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter).
Table 1 Implementation progress by work items
Work items Target Achievement Achievement rate
Motorcycle routine inspection 10,000 vehicles 10,181vehicles 100%
Motorcycle spot inspection 400
vehicles 420vehicles 100%
Recognition of license plate 60,000
vehicles 63,268vehicles 100%
Regular examination notification card 210,000
cards 210,000cards 100%
Official notification letter by ordinary mail 54,000
letters 56,537 letters 100%
Official notification letter by mail registered with A.R. 10,000 letters 10,230 letters 100%
On-the-job trainings for inspection station staffs 2sessions 4sessions 100%
Produce labels that promote regular examination of motorcycle 80,000
sets 80,000sets 100%
Maintain electric vehicle charging stations 4 times
per season 4 times
per season 100%
Produce promotional materials/ leaflets 4,000sets 4,000sets 100%
Produce promotional posters 200
posters 200posters 100%
Produce promotional flags for inspection stations 200flags 200flags 100%
Broadcast advertising 600 spot times 1,421spot
times 100%
Promotion through SMS 100,000 messages 100,000
messages 100%
Promote “motor vehicle park and stop” related inspections 2,000
vehicles 2,057vehicles 100%
Achievement rate in overall 100%
Key words: Regular examination rate of vehicles, motorcycle control, motorcycle inspection station, replacement of old motorcycles, electric two-wheelers
