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Program update allows technicians to use new technology. 


Release #:10-58
Date:10/18/2010

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990
CONTACT:

Stanley Young
916-322-1309 c-916-956-9409
syoung@arb.ca.gov



Dimitri Stanich
916-322-2825 c-916-716-8047
dstanich@arb.ca.gov


Smog Check restructuring promises lower costs, faster tests and
cleaner air

Program update allows technicians to use new technology

EL MONTE, CAlIF - Today the Air Resources Board, Department of
Consumer Affairs/Bureau of Automotive Repair and Assemblymember
Mike Eng marked the adoption of AB 2289, a new law restructuring
California’s Smog Check Program, streamlining and strengthening
inspections, increasing penalties for misconduct, and reducing
costs to motorists.

The new law, sponsored by the Air Resources Board and the Bureau
of Automotive Repair, promises faster and less expensive Smog
Checks by taking advantage of diagnostic software installed on
all vehicles since 2000. The new law also directs vehicles
without this equipment to high-performing stations – rewarding
these stations – helping ensure that these cars comply with
current emission standards. As a result, this legislation could
reduce up to an additional 70 tons per day of smog-forming
emissions from vehicles statewide.  

"This is definitely not your father's old-fashioned smog test,”
said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “Smog Check version 2.0 is
plugged-in, wired and a winner. It's all about faster, cleaner
and cheaper tests that will catch and clean up far more dirty
cars than now.  Your car's on-board computer has been enlisted in
the battle for cleaner air."

“AB 2289 revamps the current smog check program by using the
latest technology to ensure air quality improvement and lower
consumer costs,” said Assemblymember Eng (D-Monterey Park).
“Cleaner air saves lives, reduces adverse effects on children and
the elderly as well as Native American, African American, Latino,
and Asian populations who are more likely to be affected by
asthma.”

“The Smog Check Program is a key element in California’s fight
for clean air,” said BAR Chief Sherry Mehl.  “AB 2289 provides
BAR with new tools in its clean air efforts by holding stations
and technicians accountable and by improving consumer convenience
while reducing costs.”

The program will reduce consumer costs by having stations take
advantage of diagnostic software that monitors
pollution-reduction components and tailpipe emissions. This
technology, known as On-Board Diagnostics, has been required on
all new vehicles since 1996.  Under the new law, testing of
passenger vehicles using OBD will begin mid-2013 on all vehicles
model years 2000 or newer.  This should result in reduced
consumer costs by up to $180 million annually.

Vehicles manufactured without these diagnostic systems will
continue to be subject to a tailpipe inspection.  Only Smog Check
stations with a demonstrated history of high performance will be
authorized to inspect these older vehicles. This change will
improve testing, diagnosis and repair of these vehicles.

An independent review of the Smog Check Program in 2009 revealed
that within a short period of time after passing a Smog Check
inspection, 19 percent of vehicles failed a subsequent emissions
audit conducted by state officials. The same study also found
that 49 percent of vehicles that had failed an audit conducted by
BAR staff had failed and then subsequently passed an inspection
at a licensed Smog Check station.

California’s Smog Check Program, administered by the Bureau of
Automotive Repair, was established in 1984 to identify high
emitting vehicles in need of repair.  Currently, the Smog Check
Program removes approximately 400 tons of smog-forming emissions
from California’s air each day.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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