Beijing needs to adopt a compulsory vehicle idling ban to combat the hazardous air pollution in the capital, a senior official said on Thursday.

"In public spots, such as areas surrounding hospitals, schools and shopping malls, the driver would only be allowed to have the engine on for three minutes, otherwise a penalty would be given," Li Kunsheng, an official in charge of vehicle emission management with the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, said at a public hearing on Thursday.

The hearing discussed a proposal that encourages drivers to turn their engines off after their cars have been idling for three minutes, with the nine delegates attending the meeting all supporting the proposal.