By Annmarie H. Akpan
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
In a bid to improve air quality and reduce vehicle emissions, the state of Maryland is moving forward with plans to revamp its vehicle emissions inspection program. After Gov. Wes Moore took office this year, his administration took a pause on the contract that would confirm a rule to change the state’s long-running emission inspection program. The proposed changes have sparked mixed reactions among residents, particularly electric vehicle (EV) owners and those driving non-electric vehicles.
Kennedy McCloud, a senior at Towson University who owns a Tesla, expressed cautious optimism about the state’s proposal. When asked about their thoughts on the potential change, McCloud stated, “If the research backs up the new rule significantly, then I think the new change will be good for drivers. Emission testing is important overall as we continue to care for our environment. So, as long as Maryland still has a program to test vehicles on the road for their emissions and it works, then I think we should be good to go.”
On the other hand, Jessica Hill, also a senior at Towson University who does not own an electric vehicle, emphasized that the state’s efforts may not necessarily encourage a mass shift to electric or hybrid vehicles. “I think some people may feel so fed up that they may change to electric or hybrid cars, but overall, I think many will just stay with non-electric vehicles. People are already used to needing to do emissions inspections for their vehicles, so this policy won’t really affect the day-to-day life that they have.”
To gain further insight, we spoke with Towson’s Director of Sustainability, Patricia Watson, regarding how these changes align with the campus sustainability goals. Watson shared, “The
university is moving towards an all-electric fleet in the coming years so that this change will have very little impact on our campus operations.”
As the state of Maryland moves forward with the contract to change its vehicle emissions inspection program, it remains to be seen how these modifications will impact residents and their choices regarding vehicle ownership. While some EV owners like Kennedy McCloud view the changes as a positive step towards environmental preservation, others, such as Jessica Hill, believe that the impact on vehicle choices may be limited.
The state’s initiative to improve air quality and reduce emissions through the vehicle emissions inspection program reflects a broader commitment to sustainable practices. By implementing these changes, Maryland aims to create a cleaner and more environmentally conscious transportation landscape for its residents.