KEY POINTS:
The Government is considering introducing vehicle emission restrictions which could effectively put an age limit on imported used cars.
Associate Transport Minister Judith Tizard says draft rules will be put out for public consultation next year and might be ready for implementation in 2008.
The Government is considering using Japanese emission standards as about 95 per cent of imported used cars come from Japan.
Ms Tizard said yesterday there would be a set of steadily increasing standards, and cars would be tested at the border to make sure they met those standards.
No decisions have been made, but background documents issued with Ms Tizard's statement said Japan's 2000 emission standard could be introduced in New Zealand in 2008, and Japan's 2005 standard in 2010.
That would mean that in 2008, cars older than eight years would be unlikely to meet the standard although that would depend on the make and model.
"Based on current trends, if introduced in 2008 the petrol vehicle standards would prevent around half the vehicles currently being imported from being allowed to enter the fleet," the documents said.
But they added: "There are expected to be few direct social consequences...this is due to the very large fleet of second hand vehicles that people may purchase from instead of purchasing a used import."
The documents said the Government had not ruled out introducing an age-related restriction at some time.
The Motor Traders Association (MTA) said it welcomed the Government's announcement, and it was important that restrictions would be based on internationally-recognised standards rather than on arbitrary age bans.
"There are great strides being made internationally in this area, and the New Zealand public can be assured that significant progress is being made to lessen the impact of motor vehicle emissions on the environment," MTA spokesman Andy Cuming said.
- NZPA
