More than 8,000 vehicles were tested for emissions in the first 20 days of the August 25 launch of the Rwanda Vehicle Emissions Inspection Programme (REIP), according to Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). ALSO READ: 80 percent of vehicles emit greenhouse gas Vehicles have to undergo an initial emissions inspection test. Those that meet the standards are cleared, while others must be repaired and re-inspected within two weeks at half the cost of the initial test. Delays incur full fees again. Since REMA’s emissions programme began, we have tested over 1,000 vehicles that registered and paid for the service online, Innocent Mbonigaba, the national coordinator of the emissions testing programme, said. ALSO READ: Air pollution: Experts reflect on new vehicle testing scheme Preliminary tests on more than 7,000 vehicles were conducted to raise awareness. Testing centres now inspect between 150 and 200 vehicles daily.” There are four testing centres: one in Huye for Southern and Western Province, one in Kigali, one in Rwamagana for Eastern Province, and the other one in Musanze for Northern Province. ALSO READ: Rwanda to start testing motorcycle emissions, enhance compliance Testing standards Pierre-Célestin Hakizimana, an officer in charge of air quality inspection at REMA, said vehicle emission testing regulations are aligned with Euro 4 standards. These are European Union rules designed to limit pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM). The Euro standards have advanced from Euro 1 in 1992 to Euro 6 today, with each step setting stricter limits. Testing equipment is calibrated accordingly. A Euro 2 vehicle, for example, is tested against Euro 2 limits, not Euro 4 or higher. ALSO READ: Air quality: Govt introduces changes in vehicle emissions testing Figures show that vehicles under 10 years old generally comply with emission standards compared with older models. However, Hakizimana stressed that maintenance plays a crucial role. A well-maintained vehicle from the 1990s may pollute less than a poorly maintained 2020 model. Euro 4 standards are also applied to fuel, requiring clean, low-Sulphur fuel. Contaminated fuel can damage engines, block filters, and worsen pollution.
