Question For Anyone With An Electric Car (Page 1/2)
IMSA GT JUN 05, 10:47 PM
For those who own an electric vehicle, is there ever a time where you need to have it inspected, similar to smog or do you drive it until the wheels fall off with no inspections?
theogre JUN 06, 09:08 AM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:
For those who own an electric vehicle, is there ever a time where you need to have it inspected, similar to smog or do you drive it until the wheels fall off with no inspections?

That will depend on States in US or Country/Region for others...

In States w/ Inspections... E-cars like others get Safety Inspection at Minimum but may not even get that up to 5 years for a New car.
In some of them will get "Emission testing" but in many they just pulls data from OBD2 ALDL and read PCM Emission Flags are all Ready/Complete. It takes Inspector maybe 5-10 minutes to get in, connect, then out of car.

About the only thing ever fails for E-testing or trip MIL (Check Engine light) is loose gas caps in cars that self test EVAP system by testing the gas tank and will fail when cap in loose. Is why many say check the gas cap and drive a while before paying emission repair or going to inspection w/ car MIL On. Because MIL On for any reason is Instant Fail. And light "broke" won't help because PCM data stream also tells MIL is commanded On or Off too.

UK MOT Inspection and others are way more strict and takes more time to do just the Safety parts of the inspection.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

IMSA GT JUN 06, 10:04 AM
The reason I ask is because a person is selling a Fiero that was converted to electric and is now registered as an electric vehicle. He is also including a 3800 motor in the event that the buyer wants to go back to gas. Here in California, I look for any loopholes in smog since we have the toughest laws. If a car is registered as electric and never has to go through an inspection, I can install the 3800 and basically cheat the system since it would still be registered as electric. That's what I HOPED to do but if even the electric vehicles have to go through some sort of inspection every few years, my idea won't work.
rinselberg JUN 06, 10:33 AM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:
The reason I ask is because a person is selling a Fiero that was converted to electric and is now registered as an electric vehicle. He is also including a 3800 motor in the event that the buyer wants to go back to gas. Here in California, I look for any loopholes in smog since we have the toughest laws. If a car is registered as electric and never has to go through an inspection, I can install the 3800 and basically cheat the system since it would still be registered as electric. That's what I HOPED to do but if even the electric vehicles have to go through some sort of inspection every few years, my idea won't work.


One problem is that whatever the rules are now, they could change in the coming years.

Have you tried to put the question directly to California DMV? I just went to their website to see if there is an obvious way to put a question of this kind to them, online, without having to identify yourself, but I did not see such an option.

[This message has been edited by rinselberg (edited 06-06-2022).]

RWDPLZ JUN 06, 11:09 AM
When I brought my cars into California, I had to have them inspected at the DMV, they would probably see it's electric at the DMV when you register it.
IMSA GT JUN 06, 12:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by RWDPLZ:

When I brought my cars into California, I had to have them inspected at the DMV, they would probably see it's electric at the DMV when you register it.



Correct, but for instance a Tesla, you buy it from the dealer, it's registered as an EV, but do you ever have to take it to a test station for anything? For example, maybe every 5 years in California they need to inspect it for motor efficiency. I figured that if you buy an EV, it's yours with no smog or test stations for the life of the vehicle.



quote
Originally posted by rinselberg:
One problem is that whatever the rules are now, they could change in the coming years.

Have you tried to put the question directly to California DMV? I just went to their website to see if there is an obvious way to put a question of this kind to them, online, without having to identify yourself, but I did not see such an option.



And Ron, I will check with the DMV.
Jake_Dragon JUN 06, 12:43 PM

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Can I convert my car to be an electric vehicle?
Any vehicle registered in California may be converted to a 100% electric drive, as long as all power is supplied by on-board batteries. All combustion and fuel system components must be removed prior to inspection by a California Bureau of Automotive Repairs Referee station. The vehicle must arrive at the inspection site under its own power, and the referee will also visually inspect to ensure that the vehicle has adequate battery storage capacity for 100% electric operation. Once the inspection is complete, the referee will sign a DMV "statement of Facts" form so that the vehicle can be registered as an EV and removed from the periodic smog inspection program. The statement of fact form is returned to the California department of motor vehicles. To schedule an appointment with California Bureau of Automotive Repairs Referee station, please call (800) 622-7733.



Much like putting the long tube headers back on the car every 2 years, if they catch you they will fine you and perhaps impound the car.
IMSA GT JUN 06, 01:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by Jake_Dragon:


Much like putting the long tube headers back on the car every 2 years, if they catch you they will fine you and perhaps impound the car.



That's ok, I'll take the risk. It's getting VERY tough for our Fiero's in this state. The vehicles being smogged, most of the time, are just below the failing point and barely pass so a few more tweaks in the system to eliminate gross polluters and the Fiero will no longer pass.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 06-06-2022).]

slicknick JUN 06, 03:51 PM
In PA I have to get a safety inspection, but no emissions. EVs don’t have OBD ports, at least not Tesla’s.
Jake_Dragon JUN 06, 04:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:

That's ok, I'll take the risk. It's getting VERY tough for our Fiero's in this state. The vehicles being smogged, most of the time, are just below the failing point and barely pass so a few more tweaks in the system to eliminate gross polluters and the Fiero will no longer pass.




Yeah, that is why I don't own a Fiero now. I have found a couple and the amount of work/money to get them to pass smog is crazy. Then I never know when CA will change the rules and the car will never pass.
Been looking for something 1972 or older that can or already has been updated so I do not have to deal with CAs bull **** . Ideally I would like to find a Shelby Cobra replica and park it in the drive way.