ARC emissions plan shows Govt the way: Locke

Green MP Keith Locke is welcoming the Auckland Regional Council's new drive-by emissions plan as a positive step for the city's environment in the wake of the Government putting off its own scheme.

"This program will give Aucklanders the opportunity to find out if their emissions are below standard and get their engines properly tuned up," said Mr Locke, the Green Party's Auckland Transport Spokesperson.

"It is a particularly good initiative after the Government's recent decision to can emission testing at warrant of fitness time. The ARC's announcement today should give the Government a kick in the pants over its tardiness in bringing in an international best practice emissions testing system.

"The ARC test could be used to select out the worst polluting vehicles for more sophisticated checks when the car's warrant of fitness is renewed. It also has the advantage of providing an immediate reading for motorists on a screen shortly after they ride over the electronic monitoring unit.

"Of course emissions testing has to be combined with other government measures, such as the rapid reduction of sulphur in our petrol and emissions testing of cars before they are exported to New Zealand.

"We've got to do something now or Auckland's car pollution is going to get worse and worse and more people will die of bronchial diseases," said Mr Locke.

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