Project CAR nears 1,000 free emissions repairs
Project Clean Air Repair (Project CAR) is approaching a milestone that felt distant when the program launched in 2017: it’s 1,000th free vehicle emissions repair.
This spring, three new garages — Meineke Car Care Center in Ham Lake, Tran Auto and Transmission Service in Brooklyn Park, and 4th Street Auto Repair in Duluth — joined the network, increasing the total to 14 locations and bringing the program one step closer to that milestone.
Project CAR is a partnership between Environmental Initiative and local auto repair shops that covers the full cost of emissions and exhaust system repairs for income-qualified Minnesotans. The program targets older cars with broken or outdated emissions controls — among the most polluting vehicles on the road — and makes repairs free for the drivers who need them most.
Since launching in 2017, it has repaired 930 vehicles and eliminated 51 tons of air pollution.
Why emissions repairs matter
Not all vehicle pollution is created equal. Research shows that roughly 25% of passenger vehicles are responsible for 90% of automotive air pollution. Many of those are older cars with deteriorating emissions control systems — vehicles that could run much cleaner with repairs to components like catalytic converters and oxygen sensors.
For many lower-income drivers, those repairs simply aren’t affordable, especially when a broken emissions system doesn’t affect how a car drives day to day. That’s where Project CAR makes a difference.
Partner garages identify eligible vehicles, perform the repairs, and bill Environmental Initiative directly. Vehicle owners pay nothing for covered repairs.
A network built for impact
Project CAR’s expansion this spring builds on years of investment from garages, funders, and communities. The addition of locations in Ham Lake, Brooklyn Park, and Duluth continues to expand the program beyond the Twin Cities metro, increasing access across the state.
The program is made possible through support from Flint Hills Resources, Marathon Petroleum, Great River Energy, the City of Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Environmental Initiative continues to seek additional repair shops interested in joining the network, particularly in greater Minnesota. If you run an auto repair shop and want to learn more, reach out to our team.
Repair 1,000 is expected this summer
With 930 cars repaired and momentum building, Project CAR is on track to complete its 1,000th repair this summer. We’ll celebrate the milestone with a special event — details coming soon.
In the meantime, if you or someone you know could benefit from free emissions repairs, visit the repair process guide to find a participating garage near you.