AKRON — The state is considering expanding the locations for its E-check vehicle emissions tests required only in northeast Ohio so inspections would be done at oil-change outlets and neighborhood garages.

Motorists must now take their vehicles to any of 23 testing centers within a seven-county area that includes Cleveland and Akron. The Akron Beacon Journal reported Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staffers told regional planners in a Wednesday conference call that the EPA expects in the next few months to seek proposals for decentralizing the program.

The new state budget requires changes in E-check by next June. Northeast Ohio Republican state Sen. Tim Grendell said up to 200 garages and oil-change centers could participate in the testing, which is free for vehicle owners.