An amendment regulation tightening the specifications of motor vehicle diesel and unleaded petrol to Euro V standards has been gazetted.

The Air Pollution Control (Motor Vehicle Fuel) (Amendment) Regulation 2010 will be tabled at the Legislative Council May 12. Subject to lawmakers' approval, the amendments will take effect July 1.

Euro V fuel cuts the sulphur content to 0.001%, from 0.005% in Euro IV, reducing sulphur dioxide emissions by 80%.

If petrol vehicles use Euro V petrol their emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons will fall by 10%. Euro V diesel also cuts respirable suspended particulates by 5%.

Local oil companies have confirmed they can supply Euro V fuel, and have been offering Euro V diesel since December 2007.

The import volume of Euro V petrol increased to half of total petrol imports last year from 10% in 2008, showing the fuel has gradually become more widely available.