Advanced technologies should be incorporated in auto design to reduce exhaust emissions, according to an article in China Economic Times. An excerpt follows:

The State Environmental Protection Administration estimates that by 2005 about 79 percent of all air pollution will come from automobile exhaust emissions. And urban air pollution will shift from the current combination of coal smoke and auto exhaust to mainly auto exhaust.

The country's large-scale auto emission pollution can be attributed to the backward standard of controls.

In 2001 China adopted the first standard of exhaust emission, equivalent to the Euro I, 20 years later than developed countries. And the second standard, equivalent to the Euro II, was instituted in 2003 - eight years later than developed nations. The current schedule calls for adopting the Euro III standard between 2008 and 2010, still eight years late.

The delay in adopting international emission standards has led to high oil consumption, a low fuel utilization ratio and rampant emissions from made-in-China autos.

There is a huge gap between the technologies of emission control and engine production in China and those of the developed countries.

In addition, due to lack of strict supervision in the management of obsolete autos, many of these vehicles have entered the market and continue to run on the road.

Low-quality fuel in China also disables both imported and home-made cars.

For effectively controlling exhaust emission pollution, China should try to master advanced technologies as quickly as possible.

The Euro III and IV standards adhere to an advanced system, taking into account fuel quality, road condition, transportation management, driving technique and habit and daily car maintenance.

Some joint ventures have already mastered such technology. Domestic enterprises should speed up the pace of their research and development in this aspect.

Measures should also be taken to accelerate the discard of old cars.

Meanwhile, preferential tax policies should be allowed to encourage consumers to purchase low polluters.

Exhaust pollution should not be an obstacle to the growth of China's auto industry, once effective measures and advanced technologies are implemented.

(China Daily June 14, 2004)