The Ontario provincial government announced drivers will no longer have to pay the $30 mandatory fee for their Drive Clean emissions test, starting in 2017.
But the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) is calling on the Ontario government to abolish the Drive Clean program, which was set to amass a $50 million surplus by 2018.
“We’re pleased the Ontario government has decided to eliminate the Drive Clean testing fee. However, the entire program is still a relic of the 1990s and does little for the environment. The Drive Clean program is well beyond its best before date,” said Frank Notte, director of Government Relations for the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association, in a written release.
Even though eliminating the Drive Clean fee will cost the province $60-million a year, drivers will still need to test their cars and light-duty trucks seven years and older every two years.
Notte added the 2012 Ontario Auditor General’s report found the Drive Clean program has little impact on reducing emissions.
The report concluded that more than 75 per cent reduction in vehicle emissions was due to improved manufacturing standards and federal requirements for cleaner fuel.
“Its time the Ontario government start making plans to eliminate Drive Clean for good,” said Notte.
