KATHMANDU, JUNE 25
In a bid to minimise air pollution caused by vehicles, the government has implemented the Euro VI European emission standards, which had been discussed and delayed for a long time.
According to the Vehicle Emissions Standards-2025, which was published in the Nepal Gazette, all imported four-wheeled vehicles must meet Euro-VI standards effective from June 23.
According to this standard, the Euro-V test method is now applicable to two-, three-, and four-wheeled vehicles, while the Euro-VI standard applies to vehicles with at least four wheels. The rule will also apply to any vehicles assembled or imported, as well as their spare parts.
This requirement, however, will not apply to construction equipment or special-purpose military vehicles imported in accordance with the Defence Ministry's recommendations.
Similarly, emissions tests for two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and small four-wheeled vehicles will follow Euro V standards.
Nepal went straight to Euro III in 2012 after initially embracing Euro I standards in 1999. However, despite numerous rounds of discussion about upgrading, the country has been unable to make further progress until now.
Nepal has been following Euro-III standards since 2012. There were calls to implement Euro VI, claiming it increased environmental pollution. When the Euro-III standards were introduced, it was intended to transition to Euro IV after two years (in 2014). However, Euro III has remained in place ever since. Euro-V was intended to apply to light four-wheeled vehicles weighing up to 350 kg.
Euro-6 applies to all four-wheelers, including small passenger vehicles (with a seating capacity of eight passengers excluding the driver), medium passenger vehicles (with a seating capacity greater than eight), and large passenger vehicles.
Meanwhile, the ministry has stated that the Euro VI standard has been implemented for all small, medium, and large goods vehicles weighing at least 3.5 tonnes. The pollution standard also states that if there is a difference between this standard and a pollution standard similar to this one in force in any other country where the vehicle is manufactured, the limits specified in the new standard for the maximum limit of polluting factors in vehicle emissions will apply.
According to the ministry, the equivalent test method recommended by the United Nations Financial Commission for Europe will be recognised for determining compliance with this standard.
The ministry has clarified that methods that are recognised and practised in the producing country and are similar or comparable to the relevant Euro standards will also be accepted for testing compliance with this standard.
The new standard establishes maximum limits for the amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, non-methane hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and particle number emitted by vehicles during the first phase of testing, which are published in the gazette.
The standards require that vehicles weighing more than 300 kilogrammes be tested on an engine dynamometer. The chassis dynamometer will be used on small vehicles with two, three, or four wheels. The maximum limits of polluting substances and indicators for the second type of test were also published in the same gazette.
Furthermore, the maximum limits of emissions and vapour emissions from the engine of the connected vehicle will be evaluated. In addition, standards for determining the durability of pollution control devices have been published. With the implementation of the new standards, the Nepal Vehicle Pollution Standards 2012 have been repealed.
Experts in the sector have welcomed the government's decision to implement the Euro VI policy to reduce pollution. In terms of engine performance, Euro VI is far more advanced and efficient than any other standards, such as Euro III, IV or V. "But it is not better in comparison to electric vehicles, as it reduces pollution," said Bhupendra Das, Air Quality Expert. "However, this is undoubtedly a good initiative by the government. Because better implementation would be far more beneficial in terms of pollution reduction."
He further said, "The infrastructures for maintenance, repairing and even human resources, including drivers, should be aware of the Euro VI policy for efficient implementation."
