Executive Summary
The FY2008 Annual Report (July 2007 – June 2008) for the Maricopa County
Voluntary Vehicle Repair and Retrofit (VVR&R) Program will summarize the current
and historical success of the program. The VVR&R program continues to achieve its
goal of reducing vehicle emissions in a cost-effective manner. The program offers
the citizens of Maricopa County the opportunity to voluntarily repair and, when
possible, retrofit their high-emitting older vehicles with newer technology.

Summary of Results
FY2008
1st Qtr

FY2008
2nd Qtr

FY2008
3rd Qtr

FY2008
4th Qtr

FY2008
Total

FY2007
Total

Average Amount Spent by
Customers & Maricopa
County Per Vehicle Repaired

$772

$776

$735

$757

$761

$754

Average Amount Spent by
Maricopa County Per Vehicle
Repaired

$514

$513

$494

$507

$507

$511

322

239

261

260

1,082

1,030

Number of Diesel Vehicles
Repaired - GVW 8,500+ lbs.

0

0

1

0

1

0

Number of Vehicles
Repaired - Retrofit Kits

4

0

4

0

8

15

Amount Spent by Customers
& Maricopa County for
Vehicles Repaired

$247,021

$185,459

$193,022

$194,550

$820,052

$773,352

Amount Spent by Maricopa
County for Vehicles
Repaired

$164,868

$121,963

$129,169

$129,755

$545,754

$522,260

Amount Spent by Maricopa
County for Diesel Vehicles
Repaired - GVW 8,500+ lbs.

$0

$0

$229

$0

$229

$0

$51,898

$17,068

$30,569

$26,426

$126,426

$104,287

Number of Vehicles
Repaired

Administrative Costs

Emissions Reductions
Basic Idle & Loaded Testing
Emissions reduction calculations vary depending on the type of test used. Older
vehicles (1967 – 1980) and some newer trucks use the basic idle and loaded
methods for emissions testing. Because of how the hydrocarbons and carbon
monoxide are measured, there is no formula available to determine cost
effectiveness with these vehicles. The following grid will illustrate the average
percent reduction for each pollutant:

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1

Idle Test
1st Quarter FY2008
2nd Quarter FY2008
3rd Quarter FY2008
4th Quarter FY2008
FY2008 Total
FY2007 Total

HC
50%
65%
68%
68%
63%
73%

Loaded Test
HC
CO
54%
98%
55%
69%
66%
85%
74%
53%
63%
95%
64%
80%

CO
64%
66%
80%
52%
64%
71%

Emissions Reductions
I/M Testing
More modern vehicles (1981-1995) calculate emissions using the I/M Test. The grid
below shows the average percent reduction in pollutants:
HC
75%
76%
73%
70%
74%
73%

1st Quarter FY2008
2nd Quarter FY2008
3rd Quarter FY2008
4th Quarter FY2008
FY2008– Total
FY2007– Total

CO
82%
84%
83%
81%
82%
83%

NOx
52%
54%
56%
52%
53%
51%

Because the I/M Test measures each pollutant in grams per mile, a cost
effectiveness formula can be applied, accounting for tons reduced and the average
miles driven:
FY2008
1st Qtr

FY2008
2nd Qtr

FY2008
3rd Qtr

FY2008
4th Qtr

FY2008
Total

FY2007
Total

Metric Tons Reduced

90.16

66.83

55.25

57.35

269.58

276.05

Regular Tons Reduced

99.38

73.67

60.90

63.22

297.16

304.29

Maricopa County
Cost Per Metric Ton

$857

$871

$1,010

$960

$914

$873

Maricopa County
Cost Per Regular Ton

$778

$790

$916

$871

$829

$792

Customer & Maricopa County
Cost Per Metric Ton

$1,289

$1,319

$1,503

$1,431

$1,371

$1,288

Customer & Maricopa County
Cost Per Regular Ton

$1,170

$1,196

$1,364

$1,299

$1,243

$1,169

Costs are annualized over two years and assume that the VVR&R Program’s
emission savings benefits will be realized over at least that length of time. By
comparison, emission reduction efforts of similar pollutants at stationary sources
within Maricopa County can cost far more. Using current cost effectiveness values
for reasonably available control technology (RACT), emission reduction costs range
from $5,000 to $8,000 per ton for like-type pollutants. This demonstrates that the
VVR&R Program is an especially cost effective way of reducing emissions from the
largest source of emissions in Maricopa County.

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Emissions Reductions
OBD-II Testing
All newer vehicles (1996+) are I/M tested using an OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostic,
Generation II) testing method. OBD and traditional tailpipe testing offer different
approaches in identifying vehicles in need of emission related repairs. OBD-II testing
does not measure pollutants such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides of
nitrogen. Instead, a failing emissions test will be comprised of varying Diagnostic
Trouble Codes (DTC’s). With OBD-II testing, data is efficiently collected by
connecting a generic scan tool to a Data Link Connector (DLC) located under the
instrument panel.
OBD-II systems use an Engine Control Module (ECM) to continuously monitor the
emissions control system in addition to other major engine components for proper
operation. This technology makes it possible to diagnose failing or malfunctioning
emission control devices for repair or replacement before high emissions occur.
Effectively, an I/M testing station is programmed into each OBD-II vehicle.
All related OBD-II technology standards including the data, the scan tool, the
diagnostic test modes and the DTC’s are established by the Society of Automobile
Engineers.
Emissions Reductions
Diesel Program
In 2001, the County established a diesel repair program as mandated ARS §49474.03. Qualifying diesel powered motor vehicles registered in Area A or B with a
gross vehicle weight of more that 8,500 pounds that fail any random roadside vehicle
test conducted by the state or that fail a required emissions test are eligible for up for
up to $1,000 in repair or retrofit costs from the program. Qualified vehicle owners will
be responsible for one-half of the costs of the qualified repair and the other half of the
costs may be funded by the program up to $1,000.
Customer Satisfaction
Customers are provided a self-addressed stamped survey postcard after their vehicle
is repaired. Using the following scale, customers are asked to rank how well the
program requirements were explained to them, as well as, to rank their satisfaction
with the repair process and the service received by their participating garage.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Extremely Disagree
Disagree
No Opinion/Okay
Agree
Extremely Agree

Of the 1,082 vehicles repaired during FY08, 369 customers returned their surveys
resulting in a 34% response rate. The following chart reflects the collective, average
response rates from all surveys received during this period:
Question
When I called, the program was thoroughly explained.
My experience with the repair facility was satisfactory.
I am satisfied with the repairs made to my vehicle.
Annual Report - FY2008.doc

FY08
Average Scores
4.59
4.67
4.62
3

Vehicle Repair Summary
The number of vehicles repaired, the number of retrofit kits installed and the number
of diesel vehicles repaired are detailed in the grid below for FY2008 (July 2007 –
June 2008) and for the current, cumulative Program (July 2000 – June 2008).

Model
Year
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
Total

Number of Vehicles
Repaired
Cumulative
FY2008
Program
0
27
1
25
3
34
2
20
4
27
4
47
4
39
2
34
3
32
2
56
4
59
3
84
4
98
3
68
6
151
9
171
9
247
25
348
39
526
42
766
55
781
56
730
71
715
71
676
87
533
105
449
132
425
168
329
122
181
46
46
1,082
7,724

Annual Report - FY2008.doc

Number of Retrofit
Kits Installed
Cumulative
FY2008
Program
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
18
1
22
1
28
0
49
2
67
2
39
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
232

Number of Diesel Vehicles
Repaired (gvw 8,500+ lbs)
Cumulative
FY2008
Program
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2

4

Repeat Customers
In February 2004, the VVR&R Program Advisory Committee determined that since
the intent of the program is to reduce tailpipe emissions on as many vehicles as
possible, eligibility was extended to include the same owner, entering the same
vehicle, through the program more than once. Below, the number of Repeat
Customers is broken down by quarter for FY2008.
1st QTR
25

Number of Repeat Customers

2nd QTR
11

3rd QTR
13

4th QTR
20

Program Summary
Dates
Pilot
Current Program

1/99 – 6/00
7/00 –06/08

Number
of
Vehicles
Repaired
1,662
7,724

Number of
Retrofit Kits
Installed

Metric
Tons/Year
Reduced

Cost Per
Metric
Ton

Cost Per
Regular
Ton

37
232

425
1,982

$591
$505

$536
$796

Funding History
Year

Amount

Source

Pilot

$640,000

SB1427

FY01

$1,920,000

SB1504

FY01

$92,800

FY02

$320,000

FY03

-0-

FY04

$399,534

ADEQ Contract 99-0089, Amendment No. 7

FY05
FY06
FY07
FY08

$725,000
$725,000
$725,000
$725,000

ADEQ Contract EV05-0013
ADEQ Contract EV06-0008
ADEQ Contract EV06-0008, Amendment No. 1
ADEQ Contract EV06-0008, Amendment No. 2

ADEQ’s Catalytic Converter Replacement Program
HB2538
HB2538 Allocation removed during Special Legislative Session

Program Parameters
In order to qualify for the program, vehicles must meet the following criteria
established by ARS § 49-474.03 and the VVR&R Program’s Advisory Committee:
⇒ The owner must be willing to participate and the vehicle must be functionally operational
⇒ The vehicle must be titled in Arizona
⇒ The vehicle must have been registered during the immediately preceding 12 months. It cannot
have been unregistered for more than 60 days
⇒ The vehicle must have failed a required emissions test in the “Emissions Inspection Results”
within the past 60 days; failures in the “Equipment” or “Pressure & Purge Inspection Results” are
not eligible
⇒ The emissions control system has not been tampered with, removed, or disabled
⇒ Work must be done at a participating garage
⇒ One vehicle per owner
⇒ Motor homes, motorcycles, salvage vehicles and fleet vehicles are not eligible
⇒ If the vehicle is eligible for a retrofit kit (most 1975-1980 vehicles and some newer model year
trucks), one must be installed
⇒ There are no reimbursements available for work already done
⇒ Some vehicles may not be eligible for assistance if they are in extremely poor condition

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Process
The primary method of communication regarding this program is located on various
pamphlets people receive as they proceed through the registration and emissions
testing process. Information on the program is included on the pamphlet entitled
"Car Care – Important Emissions Testing Information" which is sent to all owners due
to re-register their vehicles.
If they fail the emissions test, customers receive a pamphlet from the emissions
station entitled “Car Care – Failed Vehicle Information.” In addition, banners have
been installed at each of Maricopa County's thirteen testing stations. Customers may
call the VVR&R helpline or go directly to the Maricopa County Air Quality Department
website to locate an authorized repair facility.
When customers take their vehicle to the repair facility, they bring their title, current
proof of registration, and the emissions failure notice. Customers sign an agreement
sheet and a vehicle diagnostic is performed. The customers are informed about
necessary repairs and associated costs. If customers continue in the program, they
pay the first $150 to the repair facility. Maricopa County Air Quality Department pays,
up to, an additional $550 for repairs to address the specific emission failure or, up to,
an additional $650 for repair and retrofit kit installation. If the cost to bring the vehicle
to emission standards exceeds these amounts, owners may opt to pay the additional
expense or withdraw their vehicle from the program. If they choose to withdraw from
the program, they are charged a $50 diagnostic fee.
Repairs generally take a day, after which the mechanic takes the vehicle to an
emission station to obtain a pass notice. The facility forwards all paperwork
(customer agreement, invoices with balances noted, and copies of title, registration,
failure and pass notices) to Kachina Automotive. Kachina Automotive then submits
copies of this information, along with a final invoice, to Maricopa County. Maricopa
County pays Kachina Automotive who then distributes payment to each repair facility.
Checks & Balances
A system of checks and balances has been established, with the help of the State of
Arizona Waiver Facilities, to ensure repairs are properly completed as indicated on
the invoices and money is spent appropriately. Each customer is given a selfaddressed stamped postcard with survey questions on the process and the service.
This allows the program to gather immediate feedback. If customers call with
complaints, they may be referred to a waiver station. There, technicians compare the
invoiced repairs with what was actually done to the vehicles and test the vehicles to
be sure they are passing the emissions test. Most vehicles receive positive reports
from the waiver stations, but those that do not are referred back to the garages for
further evaluation and repair. From the program inception to date, all vehicles have
been repaired to everyone’s satisfaction.

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Retrofit Kits
The retrofit kits utilized in this program are supplied by Neutronics Enterprises, Inc.
The kit converts vehicles originally built with open loop carburetor or fuel injection
systems and oxidation catalysts into closed-loop (feedback) systems with three-way
catalysts. The exclusive Neutronics representative in Maricopa County is Kachina
Automotive Equipment, Inc. Kachina, as an authorized vendor for Maricopa County,
is responsible for maintaining an inventory of the retrofit kits. In addition, Maricopa
County subcontracts with Kachina to oversee all aspects of selecting and training of
the repair facilities. The VVR&R Program currently has seven authorized repair
facilities in the Valley. Currently, facilities are located in Avondale, Mesa, Higley,
Tempe, North Phoenix, North-East Phoenix, and Central-West Phoenix.
Advisory Committee
The Advisory Committee, established under ARS § 49-588.34, meets as needed to
advise and make recommendations on the development and implementation of the
VVR&R Program. Members include representatives from the Arizona Department of
Transportation, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, automobile
hobbyists, and the automotive aftermarket products industry.

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