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also below NEA Press Release, 16 Jun 05 Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel to be made mandatory from 1 December 05 Today Online, 17 Jun 05 Greener but costlier diesel By Patricia Yap patricia@newstoday.com.sg All diesel vehicles must use new low-sulphur fuel by Dec 1 FROM Dec 1, all diesel vehicles here will have to use another type of diesel that is more environmentally friendly — but also more expensive. Announcing the mandatory use of the new ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) yesterday, Mr Loh Ah Tuan, the director-general for environmental protection at the National Environment Agency (NEA) said: "With the number of vehicles on the road rising, there is a need for more stringent emission standards so that Singapore's ambient air quality can be maintained." Mr Loh estimates that ULSD would cost about 0.5 to 0.6 cents more per litre compared to the current diesel being sold. This would mean that a taxi driver who uses an average of 1,260 litres of diesel each month would have to fork out an extra $6.30 a month when the use of ULSD is made compulsory. ULSD contains only a tenth of the sulphur content of the current diesel. According to studies, diesel vehicles contribute up to half of the PM2.5 found in the air. . PM2.5 refers to solid or liquid particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns — or one-millionth of a meter — or less. . In comparison, human hair has a diameter of 70 microns. Because of the extremely small size, PM2.5 can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract. As such, high levels of the particles can increase the risk of health problems like asthma and bronchitis. Children, the elderly, and those with cardiovascular or chronic lung diseases would be more affected by such particles. Last year, the average PM2.5 level here was 21 microgrammes per cubic meter (ug/m3) — above the internationally-accepted standard of 15ug/m3. The Dec 1 ruling comes ahead of the scheduled October 2006 deadline when Singapore will adopt the Euro IV emission standards for diesel vehicles. According to the NEA, it is estimated that PM2.5 emissions from Euro II vehicles using ULSD are 5 to 15 per cent lower than Euro II vehicles using the diesel currently available. NEA hopes that by 2012, the average PM2.5 level would be lowered to the internationally-accepted standard. NEA Press Release, 16 Jun 05 Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel to be made mandatory from 1 December 05 Move paves the way for adoption of EURO IV emission standards NEWS RELEASE NO: 26/2005 DATE OF ISSUE: 16 JUNE 2005 To pave the way for Singapore to adopt the Euro IV emission standards for diesel vehicles in October 2006, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will make the use of ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) mandatory with effect from 1 December 2005. ULSD is a new grade of diesel with only 0.005 per cent sulphur content. This is one-tenth of the sulphur content present in the diesel currently sold here. Replacing the current grade of diesel with ULSD will help to further improve our air quality. Although Singapore's air quality is good, the growing level of PM2.5, or particulate matter finer than 2.5 microns, is of potential concern. PM2.5 is linked to health problems such as asthma and other respiratory diseases. Diesel vehicles, which make up 20 per cent of Singapore's vehicular population, are a major source of PM2.5 emissions. They contribute about 50% of total PM2.5 emissions in Singapore. Last year, the average PM2.5 level was 21 ug/m3, exceeding the internationally accepted standard of 15ug/m3 set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Said NEA's Director-General, Environmental Protection, Mr Loh Ah Tuan, 'It has been estimated that PM2.5 emissions from Euro IV diesel vehicles are 70 per cent lower than those from existing Euro II vehicles. With the number of vehicles on the road rising, there is a need for more stringent emission standards so that Singapore's ambient air quality can be maintained.' In preparation for this change, NEA has conducted several dialogues with relevant government agencies and industry players including oil companies and motor associations. Said Mr Loh, 'Their feedback on our intended move has been encouraging. We will continue with these dialogues and work closely with the relevant parties to monitor the progress of this change.' 'Today's announcement will give everyone affected ample time to adapt, in particular, oil companies who will have to replace Euro II diesel with ULSD at all service stations,' he added. To encourage diesel vehicle owners to switch to Euro IV compliant vehicles, the Government introduced a special incentive package in March 04 when it announced the decision to adopt the Euro IV emission standards. Details of the package can be found in Annex 1. links Related articles on Global warming issues, policies, including Singapore's efforts |
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