AirCare
Encyclopedia
AirCare is a vehicle emissions testing program
in place in the Lower Mainland
including the Greater Vancouver Regional District
and the Fraser Valley Regional District of British Columbia
. Drivers in these areas are required to demonstrate that their vehicle has recently passed an emissions test before they are permitted to renew their auto insurance. Auto insurance is mandatory for all vehicles operated on public roads throughout British Columbia. The program is administered by a subsidiary of TransLink, Pacific Vehicle Testing Technologies Ltd. The actual testing is carried out by Envirotest Canada, a Canadian subsidiary of ESP Global. Currently, vehicles manufactured before 1992 require testing yearly; newer vehicles are tested every two years up to the exempt model year. Vehicles with a model year of 1991 and prior pay the annual $23 fee, while vehicles with a model year of 1992 and greater, pay a fee of $45 once every two years. A passenger vehicle is exempt from the program for the first seven model years.
AirCare tests vehicles for the following regulated pollutants: hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide
(CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx
) and diesel
particulate. They further claim to reduce the production of carbon dioxide
as the repairs for cars that fail often also improves fuel economy. Each vehicle type and model year has its own pass/fail criteria based on the emission standards at the time the vehicle was built.
The program has claimed significant success in reducing air pollution
, but has been criticized for needlessly-frequently retesting newer and cleaner vehicles to subsidize the cost of testing the older and dirtier vehicles that are the bigger polluters.
The other main criticism is related to spending; the amount of money spent doing the testing is quite significant (over $45 million annually) and it is argued by BC residents that this money could be better spent if it was used to directly reduce pollution through old car buybacks, for incentives to buy less polluting cars, or for a directed testing program aimed at the worst polluters. However, it is much more palatable for most drivers to pay money for a service (testing their vehicle) than it would be for a fee that is seen as benefiting others (those who qualify for the incentives).
The AirCare program started in 1992 and has been operated by Envirotest Canada (formerly and then known as Ebco-Hamilton Partners), a ESP-Global company, since its development and construction in 1991. The program is a for-profit venture of Envirotest Canada which has received provincial government backing to administer the emissions program. Under this agreement ESP/Envirotest Canada are promised a guaranteed profit of at least 9% of revenue . The revenue and auditing of the program are handled by PVTT which takes in all revenue, takes its operating costs out and passes the rest of the sum on to ESP while also ensuring the sum includes at least 9% profit. PVTT and Translink are expected to make up any shortfalls in revenue that may occur with the recent testing price cut which will put further strain on BC taxpayers.
Residents of BC can now call up their previous test results online, through the aircare.ca website. This is highly recommended, since some car owners have found significant errors in test results, and odometer readings, etc. Vehicle owners will need to enter their VIN or registration number.
AirCare is currently scheduled to run until at least 2020.http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101127/bc_air_care_101127/20101127?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
Vehicle inspection
Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries, in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing safety, emissions, or both. Inspection can be required at various times, e.g., periodically or on transfer of...
in place in the Lower Mainland
Lower Mainland
The Lower Mainland is a name commonly applied to the region surrounding and including Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As of 2007, 2,524,113 people live in the region; sixteen of the province's thirty most populous municipalities are located there.While the term Lower Mainland has been...
including the Greater Vancouver Regional District
Greater Vancouver Regional District
Metro Vancouver is the brand name of the board of the inter-municipal administrative body known as the Greater Vancouver Regional District , a regional district in British Columbia, Canada...
and the Fraser Valley Regional District of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Drivers in these areas are required to demonstrate that their vehicle has recently passed an emissions test before they are permitted to renew their auto insurance. Auto insurance is mandatory for all vehicles operated on public roads throughout British Columbia. The program is administered by a subsidiary of TransLink, Pacific Vehicle Testing Technologies Ltd. The actual testing is carried out by Envirotest Canada, a Canadian subsidiary of ESP Global. Currently, vehicles manufactured before 1992 require testing yearly; newer vehicles are tested every two years up to the exempt model year. Vehicles with a model year of 1991 and prior pay the annual $23 fee, while vehicles with a model year of 1992 and greater, pay a fee of $45 once every two years. A passenger vehicle is exempt from the program for the first seven model years.
AirCare tests vehicles for the following regulated pollutants: hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
(CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx
NOx
NOx is a generic term for the mono-nitrogen oxides NO and NO2 . They are produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases in the air during combustion, especially at high temperatures...
) and diesel
Diesel exhaust
Diesel exhaust is the exhaust gas of a diesel engine....
particulate. They further claim to reduce the production of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
as the repairs for cars that fail often also improves fuel economy. Each vehicle type and model year has its own pass/fail criteria based on the emission standards at the time the vehicle was built.
The program has claimed significant success in reducing air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
, but has been criticized for needlessly-frequently retesting newer and cleaner vehicles to subsidize the cost of testing the older and dirtier vehicles that are the bigger polluters.
The other main criticism is related to spending; the amount of money spent doing the testing is quite significant (over $45 million annually) and it is argued by BC residents that this money could be better spent if it was used to directly reduce pollution through old car buybacks, for incentives to buy less polluting cars, or for a directed testing program aimed at the worst polluters. However, it is much more palatable for most drivers to pay money for a service (testing their vehicle) than it would be for a fee that is seen as benefiting others (those who qualify for the incentives).
The AirCare program started in 1992 and has been operated by Envirotest Canada (formerly and then known as Ebco-Hamilton Partners), a ESP-Global company, since its development and construction in 1991. The program is a for-profit venture of Envirotest Canada which has received provincial government backing to administer the emissions program. Under this agreement ESP/Envirotest Canada are promised a guaranteed profit of at least 9% of revenue . The revenue and auditing of the program are handled by PVTT which takes in all revenue, takes its operating costs out and passes the rest of the sum on to ESP while also ensuring the sum includes at least 9% profit. PVTT and Translink are expected to make up any shortfalls in revenue that may occur with the recent testing price cut which will put further strain on BC taxpayers.
Residents of BC can now call up their previous test results online, through the aircare.ca website. This is highly recommended, since some car owners have found significant errors in test results, and odometer readings, etc. Vehicle owners will need to enter their VIN or registration number.
AirCare is currently scheduled to run until at least 2020.http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101127/bc_air_care_101127/20101127?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
External links
- AirCare home page
- Envirotest Canada home page
- ESP Global home page
- Vehicle Emissions Testing: AirCare, Drive Clean, and the Potential of Inspection and Maintenance Programs in Canada
- Checking up on smog-check: A Critique of Traditional Inspection and Maintenance Programs
- Toronto Star: Plug in to new hybrid concepts
- Who Killed the Electric Car?
- CalCars and Plug-In Hybrids in the News
- Alberta Vehicle Safety Inspection