Sun Moon Lake Air Quality Zone Tightens Rules from July 1: Diesel Vehicles Over 2 Years Old Must Pass Emission Test

Central News Agency Report (Reporter: Hsiao Po-Yang, Nantou County, June 11)

Starting July 1, 2024, the Sun Moon Lake Air Quality Maintenance Zone will fully enforce regulations on diesel vehicles manufactured more than two years ago. Vehicles without a valid emissions test result issued within the past year will be automatically identified by AI systems upon entering the zone and fined. This rule applies to all diesel vehicles regardless of size or purpose, including privately owned diesel passenger cars.

The Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau announced that the Sun Moon Lake Air Quality Maintenance Zone will upgrade its control measures, transitioning from a phased enforcement approach to full-scale, comprehensive inspections effective July 1, 2024. From this date, any diesel vehicle over two years old without a valid emissions test record within the past year will be subject to penalties via AI recognition upon entering the zone.

The bureau emphasized that private diesel passenger cars are now included in the tightened regulations starting July 1, urging tourists planning to drive diesel vehicles to Sun Moon Lake to ensure their vehicles have passed emissions testing. AI recognition systems are installed at Jiulongkou and Toushe entrances to Sun Moon Lake, monitoring diesel vehicles entering from Puli Township and Shuili Township. Additionally, motorcycles over five years old must undergo annual exhaust inspections, with increased enforcement within the air quality zone.

The first air quality maintenance zone in Nantou County covers Provincial Highway 21 from kilometer 60 to 69 and the entire stretch of Highway 21A. Enforcement is conducted 24/7 using AI recognition systems. Since the implementation of phased controls in 2024, a total of 2,592 violations have been penalized. The enforcement will be further strengthened starting July 1, 2024. Vehicle owners must confirm their vehicles have passed the annual inspection before entering the zone; violations will incur fines of at least NT$1,000.

According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, micro-sensor monitoring shows that PM2.5 concentrations around Sun Moon Lake have decreased by approximately 26% compared to the same period last year since the zone's establishment. Additionally, owners of newly purchased diesel vehicles meeting the sixth-phase emission standards can apply for a self-management badge at local inspection stations, valid for three years from the original registration date. During the badge's validity period, the vehicle is considered compliant without requiring annual testing.

The Sun Moon Lake air quality zone was established in November 2023. Starting in 2024, enforcement initially prioritized high-emission diesel trucks and large diesel buses, including tour buses, while private diesel passenger cars were not targeted for penalties. However, starting July 1, 2024, all diesel vehicles over two years old must possess a valid emissions test result issued within the past year.