In an effort to reduce air pollution, the state of California has instituted a new cash incentive to remove over-polluting vehicles from the road. Starting in July 2000, the state is offering $1,000 to motorists willing to give up vehicles that have failed emissions tests. The vehicles are stripped of wheels, radio, tires, and fluids, then are crushed.
To qualify, cars or trucks must have been registered as operable with the state Department of Motor Vehicles for at least the past two years.
The clean-air campaign, called the Consumer Assistance Program, also offers up to $500 to people who want to repair their vehicles to pass smog tests. Consumers must pay the first $100 toward fixing the car or truck.
Information is available on the Internet at http://www.da.ca.gov or by phone from the Department of Consumer Affairs at (800) 952-5210.