The B.C. government is considering whether to require heavy-duty vehicles like tractor-trailers to go through the AirCare emissions program.
Environment Minister Terry Lake said that the vehicle inspection program is now under review. The current testing contract is set to expire on Dec. 31.
"Perhaps one of the potential outcomes is to phase out AirCare for light-duty vehicles over a period of years and refocus it onto other off-road vehicles or heavy-duty vehicles," he told CTV News.
There is already a mobile testing program for trucks, but Lake said it isn't able to cover a lot of ground.
"That's the kind of information that we're after at the moment. Is there a need to look at some of those older vehicles that are used more in the dense urban areas that are contributing to particulate matter and to the degradation of the airshed?" he said.
B.C. Trucking Association president Louise Yako said that updated engine and fuel standards have already improved emissions for large trucks, and depending on the age of the truck, diesel retrofits have also been required.
"I think the idea of the program is absolutely unnecessary and it will be costly for industry for absolutely no reason," she said.
"Ironically, you'd be adding to a different problem, which is greenhouse gas emissions for unnecessary travel to identify a problem that is more than likely not going to be there."
But Langley truck driver Amar Phagura doesn't mind the idea of mandatory emissions testing.
"The old mechanical engines, I'm sure they still pollute," he said.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber
