[The Hwankyung Ilbo] A law to ban the rental of diesel-powered vehicles that have been cited as a major source of fine dust is being promoted. Representative Lee Sang-don of the Environment and Labor Committee of the National Assembly proposed a bill to revise some of the special law on improving the air environment in the air management area.

According to the amendment, the use of diesel-powered vehicles in car rental business is prohibited. However, if there is an unavoidable reason as provided under the Presidential Decree, it is excluded from the application of the law.

Diesel cars account for a large portion of fine dust emissions in the Seoul metropolitan area, but the number of registered cars has steadily increased every year from 6.7 million at the end of 2011 to 9.58 million at the end of 2017.

Rep. Lee pointed out that the market for car rental businesses using large diesel cars is growing fast, which is in conflict with the government and local governments' policy stance to reduce fine dust.

“Prohibition of diesel vehicle rental is expected to contribute to the reduction of fine dust by reducing the emission of fine dust,” said Rep. Lee Sang-don.

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