Taipei's Phase 4 Air Quality Maintenance Zone to Enforce Violations from July, Fines Up to NT$60,000

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yuting, Taipei 12th) Taipei City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reminded today that the Phase 4 Air Quality Maintenance Zone will begin enforcing violations from July. The regulated area covers Nanjing East Road, Ren'ai Road, and Xinyi Road. Motorcycles that have not completed their periodic emission inspections, and trucks or construction machinery that have not obtained self-management labels, can be fined up to NT$60,000.

The Taipei City DEP has been designating Air Quality Maintenance Zones since 2021 (Minguo year 110). Five phases have been designated so far. The first three phases covered areas including the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, the National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, and the intersection of Xinsheng South Road and Roosevelt Road to the intersection of Songjiang Road and Minquan East Road. Phase 4 expands to Nanjing East Road, Ren'ai Road, and Xinyi Road. Phase 5 includes Zhongshan North and South Roads and Fuxing North and South Roads.

The DEP issued a press release today reminding that the Phase 4 zone will officially begin enforcement of violations from July 1. Vehicles entering the zone that do not meet the control regulations will face a first-time fine of NT$500 to NT$5,000, with repeat offenders facing a maximum fine of NT$60,000. Vehicle owners are urged to complete their exhaust emission inspections or obtain the required labels as soon as possible.

The DEP explained that the controlled objects in the air quality zone include motorcycles, trucks, and construction machinery, regardless of whether they are registered in Taipei City. Gasoline-powered motorcycles that have been in use for 5 years must complete the annual periodic emission inspection. Diesel-powered large buses, trucks, and small trucks that have been in use for 5 years must obtain a 'Premium Diesel Vehicle Self-Management Label'. Construction machinery that has been in use for 2 years must obtain a 'Clean Emission Self-Management Label'.

According to DEP statistics, since the promotion of the air quality zones, the motorcycle inspection rate and the rate of obtaining the premium diesel vehicle label within the controlled areas have both increased to 99%. Real-world measurements from air quality monitoring vehicles also show significant improvements in the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) within the zones. The DEP will continue to expand the controlled areas with the goal of covering the entire city by 2030 (Minguo year 119) to protect the respiratory health of citizens. (Editor: Zhang Mingkun) 1150612