Trade Your Old Car for Cash - Improve Air Quality

Having recently purchased a baja style prerunner modeled 1986 Toyota Pickup (based on the European Hilux model) I was aware that the smog emissions might not be the best. Surprisingly, even this truck which is over 20 years old still gets over 20 miles per gallon and is quite efficient. While not everything on this truck is stock... my friend and I were able to clear emissions in the Bay Area and have been enjoying the jumps and offroading in Hollister California. Check out the video below, just for fun. The truck is named Maybeline and our hope was to convert it to solar electric but eventually we changed our approach and sold it off to someone from Oklahoma who could take better care of her aging components... That is after we threw a rod through the engine block and busted her front right drive shaft. Don't worry, I fixed all that before selling her.

Just the other day I received a notice from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District relating to Maybeline. Apparently, as a way to cut down on emissions the local government is offering cash for old vehicles which are then scrapped. Even though this program is specific to the Bay Area, there are programs nation wide offering similar incentives and sometime soon there may even be a federal "cash for clunkers" program put out by the Obama Administration. I would never in a million years do this to Maybeline as she is worth well over $5,000 and as I mentioned earlier is just as, if not more efficient than today's enormous gas guzzlers but the program may be of interest to other old car owners. The contents of the letter I received are listed below:

Dear Vehicle Owner:

Since the registration on your model year 1986 vehicle is expiring soon, please consider an alternative to driving this vehicle. You can receive $650 for your 1987 or older car, van, or pick-up truck from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) and help reduce air pollution. The Air District is the regional government agency that regulates air pollution within the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties.

The Air District's Vehicle Buy Back Program buys and then scraps 1987 and older vehicles. These older vehicles have less efficient emission control equipment and therefore produce much more air pollution than newer vehicles. This program is completely voluntary. If your vehicle is a classic car or otherwise valuable to you, please disregard this letter.

The following is a partial list of requirements your vehicle must meet in order to qualify to receive $650:

• Vehicle must be a 1987 model year or older.
• Vehicle must be currently registered as operable.
• Vehicle must have been registered as operable in the Bay Area for the past 24 months.
• Vehicle must be in operating condition.
• Vehicles with 60 days of a required smog check must take and pass their smog check.

Please call 1-888-690-2274 toll-free for the names and phone numbers of the auto dismantlers who will determine if your vehicle meets all of the program requirements. If your vehicle meets all of the requirements, the dismantler will buy and scrap your 1987 and older vehicle and give you a check for $650.

We hope that you will take advantage of this incentive to retire your vehicle and help improve air quality in the Bay Area.

Sincerely,

Vehicle Buy Back Program
Bay Area Air Quality Management District

939 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
415.771.6000
www.baaqmd.gov