China's vehicle emissions standards due to come into force in July this year have been thrown into disarray after suggestions that they should be delayed due to the poor quality of fuel available.

The government's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has warned that a lack of compatible fuel means the tough new emissions standards will mean many vehicles could be damaged.

As such, the NDRC believes that the plans for the Euro III standards should be postponed for as long as two years to give the country time to secure the fuel supplies needed for the changes.

However, the government's main environment agency has rejected any suggestion of a delay and is determined that the new auto emissions regulations will be brought into force on July 1st this year, reports the Financial Times.

"Customers may complain about the high price of Euro III cars if they cannot get the matching fuel supply," warned Li Wanli, a senior official at the NDRC's industrial policy department.

Beijing and Guangzhou introduced the Euro III standard last year, having already secured a ready supply of appropriate fuel. However, extending this supply is understood to cost billions of dollars of investment in the country's refining capacity.

Source:

China's car fuel policy in disarray, 19/06/07
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/ad28e5ac-1e7d-11dc-bc22-000b5df10621

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