Beijing bans heavy-polluting cars

One in ten cars in Beijing have been banned from entering the city centre in a bid to reduce the city’s pollution.

The 350,000 banned vehicles are responsible for half of the notorious auto pollution in China’s capital.

After a three month grace period, drivers caught in a high emissions ‘yellow-label’ vehicle inside the city’s Fifth Ring Road will be fined 100 yuan ($15), 13% of the average Beijing-dweller’s weekly income.

The emissions level for banned vehicles is based upon the Euro I emissions standard, which has been enforced in Europe since the early 1990’s.

To compliment the ban, Beijing’s environmental bureau is offering yellow-label car drivers the opportunity to trade in their vehicle for a reward.

Up to 25,000 yuan ($3,700) will be paid for yellow-label cars which are handed in.

Drivers in Beijing are also bracing themselves for a new fuel tax of 0.8 yuan per litre.

Money raised from the tax will be used to fund improvements to Beijing’s roads and water routes.