The AirCare program will be no more for passenger cars and trucks after December 31, 2014.

The Ministry of Environment made the announcement Thursday afternoon, responding to concerns about air quality in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Minister Terry Lake said this decision will allow for a full examination of the program’s future direction and focus.

“Newer makes and models of light-duty vehicles are not the prime source of the blue smoke and pollution experienced on the road today,” said Lake. “When you look at most cars now, they run a lot cleaner than the vehicles rolling off the line when AirCare started in 1992.”

The Ministry will be working with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and key stakeholders, to identify those sources of particulate emissions currently not managed through air care programs, and come up with reduction options that can help address human health concerns.

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Metro Vancouver passed a bylaw in January to reduce diesel emissions from backhoes, excavators, forklifts, and other diesel-powered non-road machines that are not monitored by AirCare. One of the priorities of Metro Vancouver’s air quality program is to reduce emissions of diesel particulates – the soot or tiny particles in the exhaust of diesel-powered vehicles, equipment, ships and trains.

Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional district boards both recommended to the Province that it change the focus of the AirCare program to reduce significant sources of diesel particulates.

“Addressing major sources of contamination – and diesel particulates is certainly one of them – is key to managing and improving air quality in the airshed we share with our neighbours in the Fraser Valley,” said Metro Vancouver chair Greg Moore. “Together, we continue to make great strides in reducing air pollution, and the support of the Province of B.C. through management of heavy-duty vehicle emissions is an excellent next step in that process.”

“It’s time to explore shifting gears when it comes to battling vehicle emissions,” said Lake. “Lower Mainland drivers have done their part by participating in AirCare, so we’ll be reducing fees with a full phase-out of light-duty vehicle testing in 2014.”

Currently, AirCare testing costs newer vehicle owners (1992-2006) $46 every two years. Older vehicles are tested every year at $23 per test. Lake said it is expected that the fee to inspect 1992-2006 vehicles will be reduced in 2014 to make it fair for car owners requiring an inspection in the final year of the program.