167:, and consumer advocacy groups such as the Automobile Protection Association. In APA surveys, it was shown that the same car can have extremely variable results in test results (up to 800 percent in one survey), even at the same garage or on the same day with no work being carried out on the car. In 2004, the Ontario Auditor General reported on myriad cases of fraud within the Drive Clean program, such as test facilities (garages) that, for a fee, would test a clean car and report those results instead. Other test facilities would fail a well-tuned car to generate additional work. For these reasons and others, consumer reports suggest drivers try another garage if their car fails a Drive Clean test, before proceeding with expensive repairs.
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further monitored by a 'smog patrol' team for MOECC and can be stopped at random and roadside tested. The Smog Patrol team drive vehicles that are equipped with mobile testing equipment to perform roadside tests. The Smog Patrol can also perform a visual inspection to ensure all emissions control equipment is in place and functioning as originally built (tampering with or removing this equipment is an offence separate from Drive Clean but under the same
Regulation). Some registrants circumvent an emissions test by registering their vehicles to addresses outside the Drive Clean testing areas. Circumventing an emissions test in this way is an offence and could result in a ticket or summons and could also result in licence plates being seized.
229:
7.8 billion. However, three years later the
Canadian Medical Association released a report that estimated that in 2008 there would be 4,597 hospital admissions in Ontario caused by air pollution, of which around 1,178 would result in acute premature death. It also suggested that in the year 2031 there would be 2,222 deaths in Ontario caused by air pollution, compared to 7,774 hospital admissions. In addition, the number of smog advisory days in Ontario peaked in 2005 at 53 days. In 2013, there were only two smog advisory days in Ontario. In addition, there were no smog days reported in 2015, according to a report by Air Quality Ontario
104:
vehicle emissions standards were coming into effect beginning in 1989. The minimum age for testing has been increased twice since the beginning of the program. As of 2011, vehicles that are over seven years old require emissions testing, however vehicles manufactured before 1988 are exempt from the test. On
September 28, 2018, the Ontario government announced the cancellation of the Drive Clean program and instead focusing on heavy duty vehicles; the change became effective on April 1, 2019.
25:
240:'s cabinet, stated that Drive Clean had already had its greatest impact on air pollution and had served its purpose. Sterling is often referred to as the founder of Drive Clean. Drive Clean can only address a small fraction of the total automobile emissions problem, because all internal combustion vehicles burn fuels which ultimately pollute the air (including most so-called "alternative" fuels).
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Group, have strongly recommended that financial assistance should be provided. The repair cost limit is about to triple since the program's inception (from $ 200 to $ 450, and a proposed $ 600 RCL) while emissions standards have simultaneously become 23% more stringent leading to a greater percentage of vehicles that fail emissions tests. The social welfare effect is similar to that of a
180:, one imposed on drivers who cannot afford newer cars. In 2006, some unofficial current estimates put the total cost of the program to Ontario motorists close to 2 billion dollars. The most recent verifiable figure, $ 1.1 billion (in 2004), consists of some $ 435 million in Drive Clean test fees, and about $ 690 million for repairs to vehicles that failed. Costs for
303:(TTC) in recent years. The TTC has argued in the past that with riders covering more than 80 per cent of the cost of operating the TTC, it is by far the least-funded mass transit system in North America and one of the least-funded in the world. Another lost opportunity to reduce smog was the quiet shut-down of the
323:
On June 7, 2010, the
Ministry of Environment posted a request for proposals on MERX Canadian Public Tenders service. The modernized Drive Clean program, which was fully implemented on January 1, 2013, is intended to provide significant benefits by implementing OBD2 testing. Since January 1, 2013, the
116:
The Drive Clean program has undergone several changes since its introduction in 1999. In 2003, standards for light-duty vehicles were tightened to require 11.5% lower vehicle emissions than the most stringent
American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended standards. On November 18, 2005,
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have argued that diverting the same provincial funds used for paying for Drive Clean towards improving existing public transit networks might have yielded a far greater overall environmental benefit. Proper funding may have also acted to reduce the well-documented disproportional fare increases seen
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program introduced by the
Government of Ontario and came into effect April 1999. The program was initially intended to weed out vehicles producing unrestrained amounts of particulate emissions contributing to smog and increasing pollution. It applies only to vehicles registered in southern parts of
258:
Critics of Drive Clean, who included Hunter and many other environmentalists argue that a greater long-term impact on overall air quality would result from reinvesting the same provincial resources towards encouraging low-emitter technologies, some of which offer electric power as an alternative to
175:
Ontario's Drive Clean program provides no financial assistance to low-income drivers. This contrasts with otherwise similar mandatory emissions testing programs such as those in
California, Texas and Arizona. Critics of Drive Clean, including the province's own consulting firm, the Eastern Research
228:
estimated in 2005 that total air pollution (from all sources) would cause some 5,800 deaths and 17,000 hospital admissions that year. It also estimated that the direct health care costs of air pollution in
Ontario were about $ 507 million, and the total economic cost of air pollution to be about $
129:
Critics have long argued against emissions testing, however the cost of equipment purchased to perform emissions tests in 1998/1999 would not be fully amortized until 2014 and therefore the program has been continued despite calls for its cancellation. As of 2015, Ontario was the only province in
107:
Heavy duty trucks and buses are also covered by the Drive Clean program. They are tested annually once the vehicle is more than one year old, with no age limit to testing; A 1975 diesel powered truck or bus would still be tested so long as it was still registered. All vehicles on
Ontario roads are
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among others. It is structured in a way which will cost taxpayers little, and acts as a small incentive for people to scrap older cars. This has the effect of boosting prices for remaining used cars by reducing supply, making it somewhat more expensive for low-income persons to drive in
Ontario.
103:
completed every two years (vehicles manufactured on even years are tested on odd years and vehicles manufactured on odd years are tested on even years) before the vehicle's owner or lessor can renew their licence plate. Vehicles that were manufactured up to and including 1988 are exempt as new
141:
In 2012, Ontario's Auditor General determined that the Drive Clean program, which was supposed to be revenue neutral had a surplus and was expected to have a surplus of $ 50M by 2018. As a result, the Government of Ontario reduced the price of emissions testing from $ 35 CAD to $ 30 CAD.
121:, announced several proposed changes to the Drive Clean program. Standards were tightened by a further 11.5%. Newer vehicles, which have a very high pass rate due to better emission control technology off the assembly line, were exempted from the program until they are seven years old.
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OBD2 testing has led to an average of 10% failure rate. On 1 April 2017, the $ 30 fee for a drive clean test was eliminated, however if failed the first time, $ 17.50 will be paid for subsequent tests. Vehicles manufactured before 1988 are exempt from the test.
88:
Ontario from Windsor to Ottawa due to the volume of vehicles in that part of the province. It is administered by privately owned facilities (such as auto repair shops and vehicle dealerships) that have been accredited by Ontario's
279:. Unlike over 40 U.S. states, the Ontario government has banned low-speed electric vehicles citing "safety concerns". On March 23, 2006, Ontario's McGuinty government doubled their former $ 1,000 ceiling sales tax rebate on
758:
251:, wrote in 1999 that Drive Clean "has turned out to be an agonizing bureaucratic nightmare that hits drivers with what is basically another tax and a huge hassle, while accomplishing -- in Environmental Commissioner
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was introduced in 1996 and became standard in 1997 on all new vehicles. Older vehicles that are not equipped with the OBDII port continue to be tested under the older tailpipe emissions platform.
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Currently, the average car donation to Car Heaven is 16 years old (model year 1990-1991). The typical vehicle donated to Car Heaven would otherwise have been on the road for three more years.
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routes in 1992. The Ontario government has however invested toward expanding public transit in Ontario. It agreed to fund a variety of transit projects under
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propulsion. There has been a call for the Ontario government to admit to Drive Clean's minimal impact, and to begin promoting low-emissions vehicles such as
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In 2014, testing methods were changed from tailpipe emissions testing to using the On Board Diagnostics (OBDII) port under the driver's side dashboard.
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repairs to vehicles in order to qualify for Drive Clean tests have never been included in these figures, such as repair or replacement of corroded
99:
At its inception, the program required light duty vehicles under 4,500 kg (cars, SUV, light trucks) that were over three years old to have an
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announced the cancellation of the Drive Clean program and instead focusing on heavy duty vehicles; the change became effective on April 1, 2019.
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Drive Clean's emissions test results have been shown to be unreliable in surveys carried out by the media such as in-depth work done by
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The Ontario government also has a program to purchase and scrap old polluting cars called Car Heaven. This program is sponsored by
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components. Drive Clean test facilities are free to refuse to test any vehicle until such preliminary repairs are made.
84:
744:
340:
225:
217:
522:"Vehicle Emissions Testing: AirCare, Drive Clean, and the Potential of Inspection and Maintenance Programs in Canada"
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New provincial environment vows meet criticism: Private businesses may profit more from Drive Clean than environment
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have each released estimates of the number of illnesses caused by air pollution in Ontario. The
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Checking up on smog-check: A Critique of Traditional Inspection and Maintenance Programs
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http://airqualityontario.com/downloads/AirQualityInOntarioReportAndAppendix2015.pdf
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up to a maximum of $ 2,000, but stopped short of making such vehicles PST-free.
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999:
975:
611:
450:
328:
276:
236:, who was the Environment Minister in the Progressive Conservative premier
410:"AirCare emissions program ending for Metro Vancouver vehicles - CBC News"
213:
890:"Ontario Drive Clean emissions program: where are we now? - The Star"
131:
828:"TTC fares rise again April 1 - Transit Toronto - Newspaper Archive"
951:
151:
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Ontario Regulation 361/98 under the Environmental Protection Act
846:"DEWIRED How Hamilton Came to Lose Their Electric Trolleybuses"
385:"Ontario Cancelling Outdated, Ineffective Drive Clean Program"
18:
926:
369:
397:
424:"Cost of Drive Clean vehicle emissions tests to be lowered"
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Environment, Government of Ontario, Ministry of the.
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On September 28, 2018, the Ontario government under
872:"Ontario lowers fee for Drive Clean emissions test"
216:has been contested. Since its creation in 1999 the
451:"Your car failed Drive Clean? Try, try, try again"
134:requiring emissions testing on its vehicles, with
1000:The failure of Environmental Planning in Ontario
438:"The dirty secrets of vehicle-emissions testing"
365:
363:
361:
359:
808:"Zenn experience takes a detour around Ontario"
271:, zero-emission vehicles such as the ill-fated
16:Program to control vehicle emissions since 1999
608:"Car Heaven | Frequently Asked Questions"
90:Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
138:phasing out their program December 31, 2014.
8:
976:Overkill in Drive Clean Suspension Practices
730:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
546:"Inequity in Ontario's Drive Clean Program"
583:"Car Heaven | Sponsors & Funders"
48:. Please do not remove this message until
68:Learn how and when to remove this message
759:"Drive Clean founder: put on the brakes"
379:
377:
44:Relevant discussion may be found on the
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723:
662:: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
655:
255:'s assessment -- 'minimal benefits.'"
7:
870:Babbage, Maria (18 December 2013).
794:"The Faulty Science of Drive Clean"
510:"Auditor slams Drive Clean program"
493:"Automobile Protection Association"
275:, and personal transports like the
14:
932:SMOKESCREEN: Exposing Drive Clean
558:""A Billion Dollars Up In Smoke""
269:plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
23:
1:
922:Set Fines under O. Reg 361/98
917:Environmental Protection Act
781:"Voting green? Vote Liberal"
714:"SAQS & SAHA Statistics"
222:Canadian Medical Association
85:automobile emissions control
226:Ontario Medical Association
218:Ontario Medical Association
119:Minister of the Environment
50:conditions to do so are met
1043:
301:Toronto Transit Commission
94:Ministry of Transportation
1022:Vehicle emission controls
718:www.airqualityontario.com
319:The future of Drive Clean
208:Drive Clean's impact on
204:Impacts on air pollution
343:- a similar program in
305:Hamilton Street Railway
462:The Hamilton Spectator
160:The Hamilton Spectator
81:Ontario's Drive Clean
1027:Transport in Ontario
964:An Issue of Taxation
299:in Toronto from the
927:Drive Clean Website
398:Drive Clean Website
370:Drive Clean Website
261:internal combustion
37:of this article is
1005:2007-09-28 at the
993:2006-10-13 at the
981:2007-09-29 at the
969:2007-10-30 at the
957:2006-09-27 at the
945:2007-11-08 at the
898:. 28 January 2017.
876:The Globe and Mail
813:The Globe and Mail
770:Hamilton Spectator
764:2007-09-30 at the
531:, Fraser Institute
527:2006-12-08 at the
482:, Fraser Institute
478:2007-11-08 at the
456:2009-01-24 at the
273:General Motors EV1
112:Changing standards
832:transittoronto.ca
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940:: False Failures
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307:'s all-electric
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136:British Columbia
92:(MOECC) and the
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895:Toronto Star
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854:. Retrieved
850:the original
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696:. Retrieved
689:the original
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640:the original
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612:the original
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591:. Retrieved
587:the original
577:
566:. Retrieved
562:the original
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512:, autonet.ca
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313:The Big Move
290:Politicians
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285:Toyota Prius
283:such as the
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247:co-founder,
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281:hybrid cars
265:hybrid cars
238:Mike Harris
197:Exxon-Mobil
182:preliminary
1016:Categories
856:2006-11-30
698:2013-12-18
685:www.cma.ca
649:2019-01-02
618:2008-08-04
593:2008-08-04
568:2008-08-03
497:www.apa.ca
351:References
309:trolleybus
253:Eva Ligeti
245:Greenpeace
35:neutrality
783:, eye.net
329:Doug Ford
277:Segway PT
58:July 2024
46:talk page
1003:Archived
991:Archived
979:Archived
967:Archived
955:Archived
943:Archived
762:Archived
726:cite web
658:cite web
525:Archived
476:Archived
454:Archived
335:See also
220:and the
39:disputed
678:"Error"
341:AirCare
214:Ontario
125:Critics
96:(MTO).
163:, the
132:Canada
83:is an
692:(PDF)
681:(PDF)
643:(PDF)
636:(PDF)
259:100%
152:OBDII
732:link
664:link
294:and
243:The
195:and
117:the
32:The
212:in
1018::
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