Vehicles at the Go Dua intersection in Thu Duc District in HCM City spew fumes.

VietNamNet Bridge - Of 76,000 cars evaluated, more than 11,000 failed to meet European Emission Standards for passenger cars (Euro 2), according to Nguyen Huu Tri, director of the Vehicle and Motor Test Department at the Viet Nam Register.

Over 3,000 cars in violation used petrol and 8,500 used diesel.

"Most non-standard cars can get operation certificates after receiving necessary maintenance and repairs," said Tri.

Since July 1, all cars nationwide are subject to new emission regulations, equivalent to Euro 2 standards. Cars found in violation will not get necessary environmental and technological safety certification.

For petrol-powered cars, carbon monoxide emissions are limited to 4.5 per cent. Hydrocarbons cannot exceed 1,200 parts per million (ppm) for a four-stroke engine, 7,800 ppm for a two-stroke engine or 3,300 ppm for a specially structured engine.

Diesel cars must meet the average Free Acceleration Smoke limit, at 72 per cent or below.

Two years ago, in Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, HCM City and Can Tho, the Euro 2 standard was applied, and around 10 per cent of cars were found in violation during the first month of verification.

At present, there are 850,000 cars in operation nationwide.

(Source: VNS)