EPA Proposes Approving North Carolina’s Plan to Remove Vehicle Emissions Testing Requirement in 19 Counties
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 11, 2026) — On Friday, May 8, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to approve North Carolina’s request to remove its vehicle inspection and maintenance (I/M) program—commonly known as emissions testing—from the State Implementation Plan (SIP) for the remaining 19 counties across the state. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, this change, if finalized, will save North Carolinians drivers and motorists nearly $20 million annually on emissions inspection testing, while still maintaining clean air in the state.
EPA is proposing that North Carolina’s plan demonstrates these changes will not interfere with the state’s ability to attain or maintain any of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) or meet any other requirements under the Clean Air Act (CAA).
“Through cooperative federalism, EPA is working with North Carolina to lower costs for their residents while maintaining protection for human health and the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. “EPA is committed to eliminating unnecessary burdens to make testing more convenient and affordable for drivers and ensuring clean air for all Americans.”
Under the CAA, any SIP revision must demonstrate that it will not interfere with attainment or maintenance of the NAAQS or any other applicable requirements. Over the last decade, North Carolina has shown that removing emissions testing in these counties does not impact the state’s ability to be in attainment with federal air quality regulations. This proposed approval reflects significant long-term improvements in North Carolina’s air quality and indicates that emissions testing is no longer necessary for these counties to maintain compliance with federal air quality standards.
If finalized as proposed, the federal requirement for vehicle emissions testing would be removed from the SIP for the following counties: Alamance, Buncombe, Cabarrus, Cumberland, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Johnston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Randolph, Rowan, Union, and Wake.
Although the federal emissions testing requirement would be lifted for all counties in North Carolina if this proposal is finalized, Mecklenburg County would still continue to implement an emissions testing program under state law.
EPA will hold a 30-day public comment period on the proposal. For more information on the proposal, please click here.
Background
Vehicle emissions testing in North Carolina began in 1982, when Mecklenburg County became the first in the state to implement a tailpipe emissions testing program. Over time, the program expanded to 47 additional counties, bringing the total to 48.
As air quality improved, North Carolina began scaling back the program. In 2017, the state submitted a SIP revision to remove emissions testing requirements from 26 counties, which EPA approved in 2018. Additional revisions submitted in 2020 removed three more counties, with EPA approval granted in 2022. The current proposal addresses the remaining 19 counties. In 2025, North Carolina marked a milestone of 10 consecutive years in compliance with all applicable NAAQS.
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