Low-Cost Approaches to Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance

摘要

This report addresses an I/M (Inspection/Maintenance) program in which only idle CO (carbon monoxide) emissions are measured. In comparison with most common I/M programs, which also test idle hydrocarbon emissions, this approach will achieve the same amount of CO emission reduction and is only moderately less effective in reducing HC emissions. Repairs will be much simpler and cost much less in a 'CO only' program since carburetor adjustments will usually be the only necessary repair for pre-1981 vehicles. This type of repair will cost between $6 and $10, compared to average repair costs of $18 to $30 in a conventional program. The 'CO only' program will also improve fuel economy of repaired vehicles by 4%. The report concludes that a 'CO only' I/M program offers significant reductions in total HC and CO emissions from automobiles at a lower cost than most conventional I/M programs.