Air quality: Govt introduces changes in vehicle emissions testing

The Rwandan government on Thursday, July 24, announced new changes for vehicle emission testing, which will apply to all vehicles, including motorcycles. The new requirement is part of an upcoming clean air campaign, the Ministry of Environment said. ALSO READ: Air quality: Rwanda to start testing motorcycle emissions, enhance compliance Under the new regulations, vehicles will undergo an initial emissions inspection. If a vehicle meets the required standards, it will be cleared. If not, the owner must repair the vehicle and bring it back for a second test—referred to as a reinspection—within two weeks. The reinspection will cost half the price of the initial test. If the reinspection is delayed beyond two weeks, the owner must pay the full initial inspection fee again. ALSO READ: Air pollution: Experts reflect on new vehicle testing scheme Emissions testing will be conducted alongside the usual vehicle mechanical inspections, once or twice a year, depending on the vehicle's use. Testing equipment installation is currently underway at existing inspection centres, and implementation is expected to begin within a month, official at Rwanda Environment Managemanent Authority (REMA) told The New Times on Thursday. Fees by vehicle category For motorcycle engine and other special engines on the same level of motorcycles, the first test is Rwf16,638, while the cost of reinspection (within two weeks) will be Rwf8,319. Passenger vehicles with a capacity of up to eight seats plus the driver’s seat, having an authorised maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes, first testing costs Rwf34,940, while reinspection is Rwf17,470, Vehicles in the following categories all share the same fee structure and will pay Rwf51,578 for first inspection and Rwf25,789 for reinspection. These are passenger vehicles with 9–18 seats, excluding the driver, and those exceeding 18 seats up to 30 seats, excluding the driver), and passenger vehicles (over 30 seats, excluding driver), goods vehicles (1.5–3.5 tonnes), goods vehicles (3.5–5 tonnes), goods vehicles (5–7 tonnes), goods vehicles (over 7 tonnes) Any other motor vehicle assigned to different duties, which were not mentioned, have to pay Rwf49,914 for the first inspection, and Rwf24,957 for reinspection.

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Air quality: Govt introduces changes in vehicle emissions testing