Georgia Emissions Tests, Toyota Prius Don't Mix

A poor 2004 Toyota Prius owner in Atlanta had a heck of a time getting his low-emission car to pass Georgia’s own emissions test. The computer running the test needs the car’s engine to run at idle to calculate a passing or failing grade for pollutants. Well, the Prius, being a hybrid, simply shuts the engine off, so there is no idle — that’s one of the reasons mileage numbers are so high for the Prius.

But Toyota’s ingenuity did nothing to alleviate the man’s pain at the station. The Prius failed the test three times, and it took days to get the issue resolved. Comment below on the irony of a state test to help improve air quality not being able to handle one of the cleanest machines on the road.

Earth-Friendly Prius Struggling to Overcome GA Emissions Glitch (Atlanta Journal Constitution via Consumerist)

Comments

that is easy, if a hybrid never idles, then they should just leave that space blank.

In contrast, in PA, 1996 or newer cars required only OBD test. Basically, new OBDs are smart and give you codes if emission is not working well. No need to measure anything. So Prius would not have a problem in PA.

Yet another reason why they should bring back completely electric cars, no need for emission tests plus there is no emissions to worry about, except for the power plant itself but thats a different issue.

There is a procedure to follow to make the engine idle while in a shop, for instance.

They can't just leave it blank, the car does emit when the engine is running therefore they have to measure that somehow.

I know for the Ford Escape Hybrid, if you put on "max A/C" the engine will turn on. I think for Toyota Prius, put the gear in N then floor the gas pedal will get the engine to turn on and stays on for a short amount of time, probably enough time to do the idle emission test.

All you need to do is press the gas pedal all the way down and the engine will idle.

As soon as there was a problem at the Emissions testing station I would have contacted, or better yet driven to, the nearest Toyota dealer. This issue should not be between the owner and the Georgia dept of emissions. It should be between Toyota and Georgia's dept of emissions. Have Toyota perform the test and give him the passing grade, and if it doesn't pass with Toyota then there's an even bigger problem. Toyota made the car, so take it to them first knowing that they have the power to either pass it, or create changes in the emissions testing for the state of Georgia.

Eric, brush up on your reading comprehension skills. This is clearly not a product issue, rather it's a testing issue.

From the article: "Part of the problem, Smith said, was that testers hadn't practiced the test enough because they weren't seeing too many Prius vehicles. With practice, Smith said, we expect that they will be able to do it blindfolded."

Another reason to privatize emissions like they have in so many states.