The Environmental Protection Punjab Agency (EPA) has extended the deadline for vehicle emission tests until August 31, offering motorists an additional time to comply with environmental standards.
The initial deadline of June 30 was postponed due to an overwhelming response during the test stands, according to Imran Hamid Sheikh, Managing Director of EPA Punjab. “The extension is intended to facilitate the public and ensure a more fluid test process,” he added.
Over the past 50 days, more than 123,000 vehicles have undergone tests in the province. Among them, around 2,000 vehicles emitted pollutants beyond acceptable limits. The owners of these vehicles have received warnings and advised to make the necessary repairs or set their engines to reduce emissions.
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Tests of emission are a scientific procedure which measures the levels of toxic gas and particles released from the exhausts of the vehicles. Key pollutants evaluated during tests include carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particles (PM). If a vehicle fails the test, the owner is invited to take corrective measures.
According to the DG EPA, vehicles manufactured in 2022 or later are exempt from tests because they comply with modern standards of Euros emissions and are delivered with integrated emission control technologies.
In accordance with the statistics obtained from the Punjab Incise Department, the province has 20 million recorded motorcycles and five million four -wheeled vehicles, Lahore alone representing 5.2 million motorcycles and four -wheeled vehicles of 1.3 million.
The EPA has urged vehicle owners to use the prolonged calendar to contribute to clean air. Free test stands have been installed on Punjab, including 20 locations in Lahore, where motorists can have their vehicles tested at no additional cost.
This initiative is part of the broader Punjab strategy to combat air pollution, in particular in Lahore and other urban areas where air quality has become a major public health problem.
Find out more: Govt launches the national electric vehicle policy
In a separate development a few days ago, the government of Pakistan launched the new electric vehicle policy (NEVP), which aims to stimulate the adoption of electric vehicles (electric vehicles) across the country.
Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, said that policy is designed to ensure a fair and inclusive transition to cleaner mobility. The initiative also aims to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, encourage local innovation and create new green jobs.
“The government is intensifying efforts to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (electric vehicles) as a key element in the agenda of clean energy and climate of the country,” said Shaikh. The transport sector being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution, the transition to electric vehicles marks a significant development towards a more sustainable, healthier and economically viable future.
The NEVP aligns with the wider strategy to combat air pollution, especially in urban centers like Lahore, where air quality continues to be a serious concern.
