China to regulate fuel consumption of heavy-duty commercial vehicles

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has taken steps to regulate fuel consumption of heavy-duty commercial vehicles in the country. The ministry has issued a circular on its website covering vehicles with maximum designed weight of more than 3,500 kg, but excluding all-wheel drive heavy-duty commercial vehicles and special operation vehicles. Starting from February 1, vehicle manufacturers introducing new products need to comply with the commercial vehicle fuel consumption measurement method introduced last year. The ministry also urged vehicle manufacturers to actively conduct research on energy-efficient technologies and to continue to improve the fuel economy of heavy-duty commercial vehicles. (January 24, 2012)