Vehicles registered outside need pass to enter BJ starting today

Vehicles registered outside Beijing and those which don't meet Euro One emission standards now need approval before entering the city. The new rules are another effort to clean up Beijing's sky for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Starting Tuesday, all vehicles registered outside Beijing must obtain a pass. The only exception is for vehicles carrying fresh agricultural products. To get a pass, drivers need to present a card from local environmental protection authorities showing they are qualified.

Feng Yuqiao, Deputy Chief Engineer of Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau said "Drivers need to use this card to apply for a pass at the entrance of Beijing. At the same time, vehicles are subject to the sample check of their emission."

Beijing has over three million vehicles. More than 300,000 carry a yellow label showing they fall short of the Euro One emission standard -- the lowest European standard. Most are freight trucks. Though small in number, they are now one of the capital's priorities because they produce half of all vehicle emissions. They are now banned from city roads from July the first through September 20th.

One Beijing traffic police said "We've checked six or seven yellow-labeled vehicles since midnight. We've demanded them to return."

Starting on July 20th, private car owners in Beijing are only allowed to drive on alternate days, determined by whether their license plates end in odd or even numbers. In the meantime, local authorities will improve public transport for the convenience of commuters.

Experts say the traffic restrictions will help reduce vehicle emissions by more than 60 percent.