Nepc annual Report 2014-15

Diesel vehicle emission testing and repair programs

Victoria uses Vipac’s test facility to support EPA’s regulatory infrastructure. Vipac has installed a custom made Cirrus/CP Engineering AC-drive transient chassis dynamometer (which can be used in either 2WD or 4WD configuration to test emissions from trucks and buses), emissions analysis equipment and exhaust handling hardware which exceeds the analytical requirements of the DT80 diesel emission test.

Under EPA’s official smoky vehicle program, diesel engine smoky vehicles registered in a defined Melbourne metropolitan area have been directed to the Vipac facility for vehicle testing. With the introduction of the new Regulations in Dec 2013, EPA ceased issuing DT80 emission test notices to vehicle over 4.5 tonnes. The initial vehicle test is paid for by EPA (from Diesel NEPM funds). Any subsequent test, if the vehicle fails the initial test, is borne by the vehicle owner ($550 plus GST).

During 2014–15, three vehicles were tested at the Vipac facility as part of its official smoky vehicle reporting program.

Audited maintenance programs for diesel vehicles

Victoria does not have an audited maintenance program for diesel vehicles.

Diesel vehicle retrofit programs

Victoria does not have a diesel vehicle retrofit program.

Other programs

Not applicable.

Queensland

Report to the National Environment Protection Council (NEPC) on the implementation of the National Environment Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure for Queensland by the Honourable Jacklyn (Jackie) Trad , Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade, for the reporting year ended 30 June 2015.

PART 1—IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEPM AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The National Environmental Protection Council (Queensland) Act 1994 provides the framework for implementing the National Environmental Protection (Diesel Vehicle Emissions) Measure (the Diesel NEPM) in Queensland. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is responsible for implementing and reporting on the Diesel NEPM. Queensland has a number of programs in place to ensure air quality is maintained and diesel vehicle emissions are managed appropriately, as specified in the Diesel NEPM.

PART 2—ASSESSMENT OF NEPM EFFECTIVENESS

Transport is a major contributor to air pollution in South East Queensland. The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection is responsible for monitoring air quality in Queensland, with a network of testing stations around the state containing instruments capable of recording and storing meteorological and air pollutant data.

The air pollutants of most interest in relation to diesel vehicles are oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) and fine particles known as Particulate Matter (PM). NO_x is a precursor to the formation of photochemical smog and fine particles have been identified as a health risk.

Air quality in Queensland is generally good. There have been very few exceedances of the national standards of monitored pollutants in the reporting period. There have been short periods of elevated particle levels in all areas of Queensland where monitoring takes place, however these are considered largely due to dust storms and bushfires rather than transport emissions.

The Queensland Government supports the Commonwealth with the ongoing introduction of new Australian Design Rules (ADRs) to improve vehicle emission standards. In Queensland, the most significant reduction in diesel vehicle emissions has been achieved through the introduction of improved fuel quality and emission standards for new vehicles.

Diesel vehicle emissions are expected to continue to decrease moderately as the number of newer, less polluting diesel vehicles increases within the fleet, replacing higher polluting older vehicles. Gradual tightening of emission standards to harmonise with European Union standards is considered one of the most cost effective means to reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality.

The Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure and Transport is continuing work on the new vehicle standard ADR for heavy vehicle emissions, ADR80/03, which will introduce the equivalent to Euro VI emission standards for heavy vehicles. The introduction of ADR80/03 is proposed for 2016 and will require all new heavy vehicles to comply with more stringent emission standards and will assist in further reducing the diesel emissions related to road transport in Queensland. Other programs currently in place to complement the ADRs and reduce diesel vehicle emissions are described below.

Smoky vehicles program

The Smoky Vehicle Hotline provides the community with an avenue for reporting vehicles exceeding the ten-second smoke rule, via the internet or telephone. Following a data match of the information provided, a letter is sent to the owner advising them of the report and suggesting ways to identify and remedy the problem. If the vehicle is reported three times within a four month period, the owner is issued with a Present Vehicle Order (PVO) which requires their vehicle to be checked for defects by a Transport Inspector.

For the period of 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, a total of 1279 vehicles were reported to TMR’s Smoky Vehicle Hotline. There were 437 diesel powered vehicles reported; 308 of the total vehicles were reported by phone and 971 vehicles were reported through the online reporting form. This is a slight decrease on the amount of diesel vehicles reported the previous year and aligns with the reported trend of the previous five years. There has been a gradual but steady reduction in diesel vehicles reported.

TMR issued 167 initial warning letters and 10 secondary warning letters requesting that drivers have their vehicles checked. There were no PVOs issued.

Diesel vehicle emission testing and repair programs

TMR operates a compulsory annual inspection regime for heavy vehicles. The standard of mufflers on the vehicle is checked at this inspection, and any vehicle with a faulty muffler is issued with a defect notice to have it repaired or replaced. Heavy vehicles are inspected every twelve months, prior to renewal of registration, and public passenger vehicles, such as buses, are inspected every six months.

TMR inspected approximately 54,952 heavy vehicles, while private accredited inspection stations inspected approximately 49,667 heavy vehicles in the 2014–15 financial year. These totals include rigid heavy vehicles, prime movers and buses. The annual inspection ensures defective engine performance, which contributes to increased diesel exhaust emissions, can be identified and repaired.

In Queensland, the Brisbane City Council (BCC) owns and operates the only facility for testing diesel powered vehicles for emissions under the DT80 emission testing regime. During the 2014–15 financial year BCC tested a total of 70 vehicles. Sixty–five (65) of the vehicles were diesel powered and therefore reportable under Diesel NEPM reporting requirements. The remaining vehicles were testing alternative fuels, fuel blends and gas.

Six of the 65 diesel powered vehicles tested by BCC, were manufactured prior to January 1996 and prior to the requirements of the vehicle standards ADR/70 for vehicle emissions. Fifty-nine (59) vehicles were manufactured after December 1995 and complied with ADR/70 emission standards or later. All of the 65 diesel powered vehicles tested passed, reflecting a rate of compliance that has not been achieved since testing commenced.

Of the 65 heavy vehicles tested, 39 were previously untested vehicles. The 26 previously tested vehicles presented for either retesting after a two year period to verify continued compliance in order to claim the fuel tax credits under criterion 3 of the fuel tax credit scheme, or because of participation in a comparative fuel study.

Additionally, 23 of the previously untested vehicles came from BCC’s own fleet. The other 16 vehicles were made available from external operators, indicating there has been a very limited uptake of DT80 emission testing in this reporting period. The costs of testing are approximately $700 dollars per vehicle and may be a factor contributing to the limited uptake.