The physical state of some 1500-1700 motor vehicles are to be assessed from an environmental aspect this year in the framework of the now traditional Environmental Campaign on Road Transport between 15 and 19 September 2014 in the capital city of Budapest and in the towns of Debrecen, Győr and Szeged. The series of tests to be carried out is also aimed to remind motorists that the best way to reduce environmental pollution is through environmentally friendly car use and the maintenance of vehicles as prescribed by the manufacturers.

A total of 10 special vehicles equipped for carrying out environmental tests will be deployed in the framework of the Campaign in four cities in Hungary every day at different spots, in more than 30 locations in all. Drivers of cars in an environmentally adequate condition will be rewarded with a symbolic gift of a USB car cigarette lighter adapter, while drivers of polluting cars will be reminded of the need for regular car maintenance.

The Green Car Centre of KTI Institute for Transport Sciences Non-profit Ltd. has been commissioned by the Ministry of National Development for the 18th time to organise the Campaign in association with the European Mobility Week. The purpose of the checks is to assess the status of environmental protection in the transport sector, to examine and evaluate the typical physical state of the stock of cars in general and any changes in the condition of cars in comparison to previous years as well as to identify the directions of the necessary improvements.

Back around the turn of the millennia only about half of the cars with diesel engines and two thirds of those running with petrol engines met the requirements. In more recent years technicians working in the campaign found no problems with about nine out of ten vehicles. Thanks to this spectacular improvement transport related pollution has decreased by about 20-25 % and air quality has improved significantly in urban areas.

Last year’s experience shows that non-conformity is caused in about half of all cases by emissions over the limits. Problems are caused by cold engines or punched exhaust pipes in a much smaller proportion of cases. Ironically enough, although according to statistics cars in Budapest are younger and more modern than the national average, yet this is where the largest number of cars have been failing the tests recently. Last year more than 12 % of the cars tested failed to meet the standards in Budapest, while problems were indicated by the instruments in the case of 10 % of cars in Debrecen, less than 5 % in Győr and even below 2 % in the town of Szeged.

For further details concerning the Environmental Campaign on Road Transport please visit http://www.muszakivizsga-auto.hu/akciok.html from 15 September 2014 on.

(Ministry of National Development, Communications Department)