The popular Honda Accord and Toyota Vios will soon be banned from new sales in Singapore as they will not meet this week’s Euro 6 emission standards.
The Toyota Camry, Nissan Teana and Almera, all Chevrolets, Suzuki’s Swift hatchback and S-Cross crossover, Hyundai’s sporty Veloster and Honda’s seven-seater Mobilio are some of the models that do not meet the emissions standard.
Existing cars on the road will not be affected by the rules.
Manufacturers say they plan to bring back Euro 6-compliant versions of their models although the Nissan Teana, Honda Accord and Honda Mobilio are unlikely to ever comply.
Ron Lim, manager of Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, said sedans had become less popular in favour of oversized SUVs in recent years.
The aim of Euro 6, the highest emission standard issued by the European Union, is to reduce harmful exhaust emissions in petrol and diesel vehicles.
Euro 4 has been adopted in Singapore and Euro 6 adds two more pollutant readings, hydrocarbons and particulate count, to make seven checks.
Euro 6 is being introduced for diesel cars from January 1, 2018.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has ruled that cars which have port-fuel injection engines and which meet the 2009 Japanese “JPN2009” emission standard, will comply with Euro 6.
Port fuel injection, where fuel is injected just before the engine’s combustion chamber, is used widely by Japan’s car-making giants.
Singapore University of Technology and Design engineering systems and design scholar, Lynette Cheah, said the 2009 Japanese emission standard could be equivalent to the latest EU tests. The assistant professor said: “The Japanese motor vehicle emissions standards have been tightened incrementally over time.
“Their 2016 limits are comparable to Euro 6 standards. The standard quoted by NEA refers to limits originally published by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2002, but has since been amended and made more stringent a number of times.”
Meanwhile, public transport continues to develop in the city-state with a cross-border rail link between Johor Baru in Malaysia due to begin passenger services by the end of 2024, it was announced recently.
Singapore rail operator SMRT and Malaysian metro operator Prasarana Malaysia are plotting a joint venture for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link.
Singapore is trying to move away from the car. Picture credit: Pixabay
