TORONTO, (April, 4, 2005) — Ontario’s heavy-duty Drive Clean emission testing rules entered a new stringent phase on Friday.

Trucks older than 1990 will face pollution controls of 40 percent opacity, and 30 percent opacity for models newer than 1991. That’s down from 35 percent opacity for post-1991 trucks and 45 per cent opacity for pre-1990 vehicles — the first phase of the new Drive Clean standard that took effect in 2004.

However, since Jan. 1, 2005, trucks that go above and beyond the new benchmarks are allowed to be tested every two years instead of annually. The Ontario Trucking Association successfully lobbied the government to reward truckers whose heavy-duty vehicles surpass the standard of 20 percent opacity. Vehicles that meet the general Drive Clean standard but still emit opacity greater than 20 per cent will continue to require tests annually.

In 2005, heavy-duty diesel trucks of odd-model years (2001, 1999, 1997, etc.) may be exempted from testing. In 2006, even-model years (2002, 2000, 1998, etc.) may be exempted.

Meanwhile, the OTA is reminding carriers that the onus is on them to notify their IRP office of their Drive Clean exemption status when renewing IRP plates.

Drive Clean also strongly suggests that carriers have with them their last emissions test report, as well as their Safety Standards Certificate, for any licence registration and renewal process.