Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402:body:0:p24
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 66874–70050

4. Emissions reductions are likely to be greatest when the DOC, DPF or PFT is tailored to the engine (in accordance with advice from the engine manufacturer).

3.1.2   Target Vehicle Criteria

 Taking the above factors into account, possible criteria for selecting vehicles for retrofitting are outlined below:

           * The target vehicles are significant sources of urban emissions or contribute to localised or 'hot spot' air pollution problems (e.g. congested inner city areas, underground facilities).

           * Cost effective technologies are available for target vehicles (DOCs, DPFs or PFTs are potentially available for any engine size, but may not be cost effective for smaller engines).

           * Retrofitting is a cost effective measure for target vehicles, relative to other strategies (see section 3.3 for cost effectiveness tools).

 Ideally, all criteria would need to be met in order for a jurisdiction to consider implementing a program for a particular fleet.

3.1.3   Implementation

 DOCs, DPFs and PFTs can potentially be applied to a range of diesel vehicles, and their benefits can be significant. However, DOCs, DPFs and PFTs come at a cost, so regulation, incentives, or Government/corporate policy commitments may be required to make a program viable. Jurisdictions will need to make their decisions about target fleets based on the criteria above.

 Factors to consider when considering implementation options for a diesel retrofit program include:

           * To date the target vehicles in overseas retrofit programs have been both Government and privately owned and/or operated vehicle fleets, particularly urban bus fleets. These programs rely either on mandatory retrofit of vehicles, or the adoption of a policy commitment by the authorities running the fleets, to improve the emissions of their fleet by retrofitting emission control devices.

           * There is potential to extend retrofits by requiring companies tendering for urban based Government contracts (e.g. road building, construction, bus services) to meet certain standards in relation to the emissions performance of their diesel road vehicles. It could be made a condition of contract that any vehicles not built to current emission standards and/or over a certain age meet this guideline.

           * The cost of retrofit, with no direct commercial benefit, is a major hurdle to encouraging retrofit in privately or company owned vehicles. Unless a Government is willing to mandate retrofit of vehicles over a certain age or odometer reading, then incentive based approaches are necessary. Potential incentives for retrofitting vehicles include:

            –          Reduced registration charges
            –          Rebates on vehicle inspection fees
            –          Exemption from participation in mandatory Testing and Repair programs for a specified period after retrofit
            –          Use of electronic tolling to restrict or charge non-retrofitted vehicles for access to specified areas in the urban environment
            –          Rebates or other subsidies on approved retrofit technology
            –          Bundling