Starting from October 20, Kobe City in Japan will introduce a "green delivery" system under which the use of eco-friendly vehicles will become mandatory for the delivery of goods to City Hall and other municipal offices.

"Green delivery" vehicles approved by the city are as follows:

1. Low emission vehicles powered by electricity, methanol, natural gas, or hybrid engines; and ultra low emission vehicles (U-LEV) classified as three-star vehicles in an overall evaluation system
2. Gasoline-powered automobiles
3. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles
4. Diesel vehicles certified under the LEV-6 Program, including diesel vehicles designated as low-emission vehicles that emit lower levels of NOx and particulate matter by a council on automobile exhaust emission countermeasures for the six prefectures and cities in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area
5. Diesel vehicles with a diesel particulate filter system

Shippers and delivery companies are required to notify municipal authorities in advance that their delivery vehicles meet these criteria. Upon notification, the city issues a "green delivery vehicle certificate" and a "green delivery vehicle sticker." Shippers and delivery companies must present these certificates to an inspector when delivering goods, and the chief of the Global Environment Division at the city's Environmental Bureau verifies implementation of green delivery as required.




Posted: 2003/12/11 09:36:12 PM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Local government , System/Law , Transportation