Lawmakers resume talks on cutting out emissions tests

RALEIGH, N.C. — Many people in North Carolina may not have to spend on emissions inspections soon.

State lawmakers plan to meet Wednesday morning to talk about scrapping the tests for many vehicles.

It has been an on-again, off-again conversation in Raleigh.

If the plan progresses, people would still need a safety inspection for their cars, but they would not need the emissions part of the test if their vehicle is three years old or newer, or if it has fewer than 70,000 or 80,000 miles.

Paskel Oyoo will take any break he can get.

After all, he said his last car failed the test so badly, he could not afford the repairs and bought a new car instead. It's two years old, so if the new measure passes, it would not need the inspection.

"If it's going to cost less, it'll be good for me,” he said.

However, one auto shop -- Axles Unlimited on Wilkinson Boulevard -- said it makes about $10 for every emissions test. That means the shop stands to lose a lot of money.

"We do a lot of inspections. Yeah, it adds up," said Brandon Hartsell, a mechanic at the shop.

WSOC