Trucks blowing away expectations on Drive Clean emissions tests

TORONTO (May 1, 2000) — Heavy-duty trucks and buses are passing the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Drive Clean emissions tests at a 94% rate, although results are even better for vehicles with electronically controlled engines.

Heavy vehicles that are six years old and newer are passing the Drive Clean tests 99% of the time.

Ontario Trucking Association president David Bradley says the results are no surprise. “We would expect trucks to be better maintained than cars. Truck operators understand that maintaining a vehicle in top condition is essential for maximizing fuel efficiency. It’s simply good business. The trucking industry doesn’t need Drive Clean to know that.”

More than 90,000 trucks and buses have been tested in the past year, the OTA said.

When the program was developed, MOE had predicted a 15% failure rate for commercial vehicles. These results compare favorably to light duty vehicles, which are failing the Drive Clean tests about 20% of the time.

While the OTA is supportive of mandatory emissions testing for older vehicles, the association has said the focus of Drive Clean should be on gross emitters and older vehicles. In addition the association says that to be effective and equitable, trucks from outside of Ontario also need to comply with all elements of Drive Clean, which is presently not the case.