Sun Moon Lake was designated as an air quality maintenance area on 1 November 2023. Apart from strengthening vehicle control, sanctions were prioritized on large diesel vehicles with higher air pollutant emissions in the first phase. This policy aims at reducing air quality burdens through vehicle control to maintain the sound environment of Sun Moon Lake.
To reduce air pollution arising from vehicles traveling in the Sun Moon Lake area, the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau adopts the traffic enforcement camera to verify if large diesel vehicles traveling to Sun Moon Lake have exhaust smoke test records in the previous year or a valid diesel car self-management mark by means of number-plate recognition. In accordance with Article 40 of the Air Pollution Control Act, Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau will impose a fine of NT$500 on unqualified vehicles entering the Sun Moon Lake Air Quality Maintenance Area.
In 2024, the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau prioritizes sanctions on large diesel trucks and diesel buses (including coaches). It also urges vehicle owners to firm up vehicle maintenance and receive periodic vehicle exhaust smoke tests to prevent being caught and sanctioned. As no action is currently prioritized on private diesel saloons (sedans) and tourist coaches, owners will not need to worry about being ticketed. However, the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau still advises two-year-old or older private diesel saloons to take the free exhaust smoke test voluntarily at local environmental protection authorities and also get a condition check for their vehicles before traveling to Sun Moon Lake.
To assist car owners in completing the test, the Nantou County Government has started the mobile exhaust smoke test around Sun Moon Lake (Zhongxing Parking). Car owners can look up the related information from the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau Facebook page. Additionally, construction units or contractors and large vehicle fleets with over 10 diesel vehicles (regardless of owners) in need of the exhaust smoke test may book the Nantou County Exhaust Smoke Test Traveling Service ((049) 220-7839). The Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau will send staff to assist owners to perform the test at the requested location.
According to Yi-Shu Li, Director-General of the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau, the bureau is actively planning the installation of “air quality maintenance area” signs along the ground access to Sun Moon Lake and proactively checking construction projects around Sun Moon Lake. It also notifies construction units of the related control measures in writing and encourages them to also test their construction machinery so as to maintain the air quality of Sun Moon Lake through the government-citizen partnership.
Contact Unit: Air and Noise Pollution Control Section, Environmental Protection Bureau
Contact Person: Section Chief Ru-Jie Lin (049) 223-7530 ext. 2211