>BEIJING, June 10 -- The local government of Shanghai is considering a plan to control motor vehicles emissions by strengthening the annual inspection and maintenance program to curb a sharp increase in the amount of vehicle exhaust spewed into the air, Thursday's Shanghai Daily said.

"We drafted a motor vehicle emission control plan which has stayed on the work agenda of the municipal government this year. If approved, compact motor vehicles will be the first batch under control," said Cai Zhigang, an official with the Shanghai Environment Protection Bureau.

Once the plan is approved, the city's first vehicle emission inspection center, which was completed earlier this year, will begin to test car emission as part of the city's annual inspection program. Local authorities say they also plan to build more emission control centers around the city.

Environment monitoring records of more than 20 major traffic intersections indicate that air pollution caused by excessive emission from motor vehicles is getting worse as many vehicles with worn emission equipment are still in use.

"Only 50 to 60 percent of the motor vehicles in use could pass a random road check of their emissions, though about 95 percent of them have passed the annual check which decides whether drivers can keep their driving licenses," said Liu Chang, vice secretary of the Shanghai Vehicle and Powerboat Pollution Control Association.

The more mileage a vehicle runs, the more emission it produces. Thirty percent of the vehicles used for five years emit excessive exhaust.

The local government began researching the issue 10 years ago, but has yet to enact any regulations or set up systematic inspections on older vehicles.

"Drivers or car owners are more concerned about their safety. Emission inspections and maintenance don't immediately affect their personal interests," Liu said in explaining why an inspection program has been so hard to implement.

"Lack of communication between government departments involved in this project also counts a reason," he added.

"I would cooperate to fulfill the emission inspection if it is approved as a rule, but I hope the fees won't be too high," said a car owner surnamed Qian.

Source: Shanghai Daily news