Vehicle smoke test set to begin

The controversial new smoke test for vehicles during warrant of fitness inspections starts tomorrow.

The test involves a visual check of smoke emitted while a vehicle idles for five seconds, then while accelerating from idle to 2500rpm, associate transport minister Judith Tizard said.

If the vehicle emits clearly visible smoke for five seconds or more it will fail the warrant and need to be tuned or repaired before it can pass.

The test is part of a campaign to "choke the smoke" and reduce vehicle pollution. Age limits on imported Japanese vehicles are also being considered.

Ms Tizard has said vehicle pollution costs the country $442 million a year and contributes to the death of 400 people, including 250 Aucklanders.

It is estimated that about 10 per cent of vehicles produce 40 per cent of the harmful vehicle emissions. A poorly maintained vehicle can release 10 times more emissions than a well-maintained one.

The new vehicle emission rule has been made under the Land Transport Act 1998. The test will take less than a minute and any increase in costs of warrants should be small.

The test, designed to improve air quality, has been criticised in some quarters for being subjective.

- NZPA