EPA's In-Use Vehicle and Engine Testing Programs

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL VEHICLE AND FUEL EMISSIONS LABORATORY
2565 PLYMOUTH ROAD
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48105-2498
OFFICE OF
AIR AND RADIATION

Dear Vehicle Owner:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors vehicle emissions before, during,
and after vehicle production to confirm that vehicles meet emission standards not only when
they are new but also even years after the vehicles enter customer service. EPA is pleased to
invite you (and your car!) to participate in this important air pollution control program. We
would like to borrow your vehicle for testing at EPA’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions
Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Your participation is entirely voluntary.
However, by allowing EPA to test your vehicle, you will contribute significantly to our
understanding of emission control system performance and effectiveness over time. We can
offer you the following compensation for your participation if your vehicle qualifies for the
testing program:
1. The use of a fully insured loaner car with a full tank of fuel, and $20.00 per day; or,
$50.00 per day if you do not wish to use a loaner vehicle.
2. Your vehicle will be returned to you after testing washed and clean, with a full tank
of fuel.
EPA's testing involves driving your vehicle indoors at NVFEL, in a test cell equipped with
laboratory equipment that simulates over-the-road driving conditions. Testing could also
include driving your vehicle outside over specific routes in and around the Ann Arbor area.
Both laboratory test cycles and outdoor routes are designed to reflect typical vehicle driving
patterns and do not involve any unusual operation. Test vehicles normally accumulate less than
300 miles over the full suite of tests. Testing takes approximately one to four weeks. Your
vehicle will be fully insured for the entire test period.
Jacobs, a contractor to the EPA, is working with EPA to procure vehicles for this program.
Please complete and return the enclosed reply form in the prepaid envelope to Jacobs as soon
as possible, even if you choose not to participate. 1 If you are willing to participate, a Jacobs
1

This collection of information is approved by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. (OMB Control No. 20600086). Responses to this collection of information are voluntary (42 USC 7541.) An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The public reporting and
recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated to range from 1 to 60 minutes per response, with an average of 30 minutes
per response. Send comments on the Agency’s need for this information, the accuracy of the provided burden estimates and any suggested

methods for minimizing respondent burden to the Regulatory Support Division Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2821T),
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460. Include the OMB control number in any correspondence. Do not send the completed
form to this address.

representative may contact you to ask further questions about your vehicle. The information
that you provide to EPA in the reply form and your answers to our questions will indicate your
willingness to participate and whether your vehicle is eligible to participate.
The EPA will keep the personal information that you provide (name, contact information
and, if collected, social security number) confidential. However, EPA must share certain,
limited information to specific parties:
1. We must submit your social security number to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
if your incentive is $600 or more. Please note that you have the option to cap your
total incentive at $599 if you do not wish to provide your social security number.
2. We will share your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) with the vehicle
manufacturer. This is necessary because the VIN provides vehicle-specific
information the manufacturer maintains and needs to give EPA in order to test your
vehicle’s emissions systems.
In addition, on rare occasions manufacturers request contact information so that they may
contact vehicle owners with further questions. We will always obtain your permission before
sharing your contact information with the manufacturer.
The enclosed information sheet answers some questions people often ask about this program.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call Jacobs toll-free at (855) 665-1228.
Someone is available between 8 AM and 4 PM or you may leave a message for a return call.
You may also call me at (734) 214-4851. I will be happy to answer any questions you may
have related to this program. We look forward to receiving your reply form or a telephone call
very soon.
For more information on this program, please visit https://www.epa.gov/ve-certification/inuse-testing
Sincerely,

Lynn Sohacki
Environmental Engineer
Compliance Division
Environmental Protection Agency
2565 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105