Race is on to pass RPC test
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• by Peter Lawton The race is on to secure reduced pollution certificates (RPCs) before the rules change next month.
Trucks that pass the RPC standard before 29 September will be able to re-test annually at that emission level and have their Vehicle Excise Duty reduced by up to £1,000. To secure an RPC after this date, trucks will have to meet far more stringent levels which many hauliers doubt are economically viable or even achievable.
The Vehicle Inspectorate says it is ready for a rush of operators trying to beat the deadline, and many centres say they have the space to conduct smoke tests for the certificate.
The VI said: It is anticipated that there may be a marginal increase over the forthcoming weeks. During this period the VI will continue to test as many vehicles as possible with the resources available."
But some operators and manufacturers fear that many vehicles could miss the deadline. Although some trucks can pass the test without exhaust treatment, many need catalysts or traps, so there could also be a surge in demand for parts that manufacturers cannot match.
Lex Transfleet operations director Mark Clissett says he wants up to 300 Dafs and MANs retro-fitted with catalysts and certified by September 29, but admits he is having problems. it will be chaos in September. We are already experiencing difficulty in getting parts and I think it can only get worse."
Daf says it is trying to pass as many trucks as possible, and New predicts that test centres will be inundated by 'those in the know'. Both expect some operators to miss the deadline.
The new RPC regulations are designed to fall in line with EU directive 96/99 and will be printed and open to consultation by 10 September. After the deadline new trucks will have to meet Euro-4 standards across the board, currently impossible except in the case of gas trucks.
Used vehicles, even if registered after September, will be able to get a certificate with retro-fitted exhaust treatments that bring particulate matter down to 0.03g/kWh compared with the current levels of 0.085/kWh. This is a potentially expensive option and could limit operation to the UK where the sulphur content of diesel is low enough for exhaust treatment to be effective.
Clissett says industry would have acted quickly had the government shown a clearer commitment to the rebate scheme. The government speaks with a forked tongue," he says. "It talks about protecting the environment, but the long-term commitment just doesn't seem to be there."
Lax says all of the excise saved from its retro-fitting programme will be passed on to customers. Money left over from refunds off old excise charges will also be passed on less the parts and fitting cost lithe refund is worth less than the cost of the retro-fit Len will absorb the loss, says Clissett.
Call your local testing station for details.