Program that fixes old cars for free expands to greater Minnesota through Wayne’s Automotive partnership
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Environmental Initiative, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit spearheading collaborative solutions for Minnesota’s environmental challenges, has announced the expansion of Project Clean Air Repair (Project CAR) through its newest partnership with Wayne’s Automotive in Grand Rapids. The expansion will extend the program’s outreach, benefits, and services into northern Minnesota.
Launched in 2017, Project CAR works with local garages to cover the cost of fixing emissions control and exhaust systems for qualifying lower-income Minnesotans. More than 800 cars have been repaired since the program began, eliminating 43 tons of emissions. 2024 was a particularly strong year for the program, with 192 cars repaired. Project CAR is focused on fixing the estimated 25% of passenger vehicles that cause 90% of vehicle air pollution in Minnesota.
“Project CAR showcases the power of collaboration in addressing shared environmental challenges. We’re grateful to Wayne’s Automotive for their interest in partnering with us to bring this important program to Greater Minnesota,” said Eben Kowler, partnership manager at Environmental Initiative. “This marks another major step forward in protecting Minnesota’s air quality. Every partnership, every repair, and every shared effort matters—together, we’re building momentum for cleaner air and healthier communities.”
With the addition of Wayne’s Automotive, there are eight active Project CAR garage locations. Existing partners in the Twin Cities include three Turbo Tim’s locations, The Lift Garage, Cars for Neighbors, Nghia’s Auto Service, and Newgate School.
“As a long-standing part of the Grand Rapids community, Wayne’s Automotive has always looked for ways to support our neighbors,” said Jordan Cozatt, vice president of business development and client services at Wayne’s Automotive. “Project CAR’s mission aligns perfectly with our desire to help Minnesotans keep their vehicles safe and running efficiently while also reducing harmful emissions. The project’s environmental impact is especially meaningful to our community, as it helps protect the natural beauty of the area. We’re proud to support an effort that extends vehicle lifespans and promotes cleaner air—a huge win for everyone!”
Environmental Initiative is seeking additional repair shops to partner with throughout greater Minnesota to bolster the project’s capacity and bring repairs to more communities. Project CAR is made possible by support from Flint Hills Resources, Marathon Petroleum, the City of Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
About Environmental Initiative
Environmental Initiative is a nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis that catalyzes collaboration across perspectives, power, and systems for social equity and environmental health.
About Wayne’s Automotive
Wayne’s Automotive Service is a proud part of the Victory Automotive Service family, a family-owned and operated Minnesota company founded in 1997 with 16 locations and growing. We are committed to “providing quality work and genuine care—for all of life’s miles” with an industry-leading warranty and a customer-first approach. More information can be found at VictoryAutoService.com.