Beijing will introduce "odd-even" traffic restrictions for two months from July 20th to help ease congestion and reduce pollution during the Olympics and Paralympics, officials said today.
Authorities hope the regulations will take 45 per cent of the city's 3.29 million cars off the road and reduce emissions from vehicles by 63 per cent, officials told a news conference.
A traffic policeman on duty directs a vehicle to the side on 2nd Ring Road during rush hour in Beijing today.
"Smooth traffic and good air quality are important factors in hosting a successful Olympic Games and also in fulfilling Beijing's promises to the International Olympic Committee," said transport department spokesman Zhou Zhengyu.
Beijing, which hosts the Olympics from August 8-24th and Paralympics from September 6-17th, is one of the most polluted cities in the world and is rapidly becoming one of the most congested.
Cars will be banned on alternate days depending on whether their number plates end in odd or even numbers.
Those affected by the ban will be compensated by not having to pay road or vehicle taxes for three months, costing the city about 1.3 billion yuan (€122 million).
Violators would be punished "according to relevent national and local regulations" and lose the compensation.
Only 70 per cent of government-owned cars will be included in the scheme.
Security, emergency services, buses, taxis, coaches and sanitation vehicles as well as Beijing organising committee and diplomatic cars will also be exempt.
Du Shaozhong of the Environmental Protection Bureau was asked about the discrepancy between the reduction in vehicle numbers and the much larger reduction in emissions.
"The yellow tag or high-emission vehicles, which will be taken off the road completely by July 19th, are responsible for 50 per cent of the total pollutant discharge," he said.