Quintana Roo Cancels Vehicle Emissions Testing Plan

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The government of Quintana Roo has confirmed it will not implement a mandatory vehicle emissions testing program, prioritizing citizen welfare over measures that could strain residents' finances. The announcement came in response to public concerns over a regulatory proposal that suggested reactivating the long-dormant program.

Officials Dismiss Immediate or Future Plans for Testing

Cristina Torres Gómez, Secretary of Government for Quintana Roo, stated, "The government of Quintana Roo prioritizes citizen well-being without advancing this type of public policy. People should set aside any concerns, as there will be no charges that harm the pockets of Quintana Roo residents."

Óscar Rébora Aguilera, head of the State Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), further clarified that there are no immediate or future plans to establish vehicle emissions testing, dismissing speculation as misinformation.

Regulatory Review Process Explained

Torres Gómez emphasized that the state is currently undergoing a regulatory improvement process, reviewing various projects. However, she noted that any proposal must first undergo analysis by the Regulatory Improvement Commission before advancing to public consultation.

"These public consultations serve to adjust norms or update legal frameworks but do not imply definitive decisions or the immediate application of new environmental measures," she said.

Controversial Proposal Withdrawn

The now-withdrawn proposal, published on April 16 and open for public feedback until May 16, sought to amend the Regulations of the Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection Law of Quintana Roo. It included provisions for a mandatory vehicle emissions testing program, initially approved but never implemented during the administration of former Governor Roberto Borge Angulo.

The plan would have required vehicle owners to pay 905 pesos every six months, totaling 1,810 pesos annually. Critics denounced the measure as purely revenue-driven, estimating it could generate over 1.9 billion pesos per year.

Following public backlash, SEMA removed the consultation from its official website on April 25.

Abandoned Testing Centers Remain

Since 2016, vehicle inspection centers were constructed in Quintana Roo but never operationalized. One such facility, located on Avenida Universidad in Chetumal, remains abandoned.

The government's decision reaffirms its stance against policies perceived as financially burdensome to residents.