Document ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2010-0690-0045
Agency: epa
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2021-04-30T04:00Z

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:

 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.
 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.   If you are willing to participate, a Jacobs 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:
 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.
 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/in-use-testing

Sincerely,

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