Annual Emissions Testing of Diesel Vehicles Resumes October 1
Emission Standards for Trucks, Buses are Tightened Under New Yearly Inspection Regimen

Massachusetts Vehicle Check - the state's motor vehicle safety inspection and emissions testing program - has resumed emissions testing of buses, large trucks and other heavy-duty diesel vehicles.

The program, jointly administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), will use upgraded emissions test equipment and annually check all 1984 and newer diesel vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds - an estimated 100,000 across the state - for excessive emissions, using an opacity test that measures the density of their smoke.

Some 4 million passenger vehicles and light- and medium-duty diesel vehicles equipped with on-board diagnostic (OBD) computers already receive annual plug-in emissions tests.

"Massachusetts is first in the nation to use next-generation emissions testing equipment to monitor emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles," said MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt. "Combined with more stringent emissions standards, the enhanced test will help reduce the health and environmental impacts of diesel exhaust." 

"With nearly 500 diesel testing stations coming online across the Commonwealth, up from less than 300 under the old program, our combined safety and emissions test continues to be a win-win for both inspection stations and motorists alike," said Registrar Rachel Kaprielian. "The new equipment promises a faster and more accurate test, which is great news for anyone owning a diesel-powered vehicle."

The new diesel opacity test also includes more stringent emission standards to reflect the actual levels of performance that vehicles of different model years can be expected to maintain. Medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles may now emit smoke of no more than 20 to 40 percent opacity (smoke density), depending on vehicle age. The previous limits ranged from 40 to 55 percent, depending on model year.

Heavy-duty diesel truck emission-testing was temporarily suspended in August 2008 as the state's previous vehicle emissions testing contract with Applus Technologies was coming to an end. The old testing equipment had been in use since 2001 and was slated for replacement as part of a statewide upgrade, which was completed by the new contractor, Parsons Commercial Technology Group.

In addition, testing is now required annually instead of every two years, and vehicles will need to pass an emissions test every year to receive an inspection sticker.

The new diesel test equipment has been delivered to most stations and is being set up, initialized, and calibrated by technicians from Parsons, which hosted open houses across Massachusetts to demonstrate the equipment and software to commercial vehicle inspectors.

The diesel emissions testing equipment utilized in this program is purchased or leased by the nearly 500 inspection stations from the program contractor, Parsons Technology. Parsons signed a five-year, $38 million contract with the Commonwealth in January 2008 to operate the Massachusetts Vehicle Check Program. 

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