I finally found the right contact information the other day for somebody at the state level with the Department of Transportation.
He's a guy I talked with on the phone when I was doing the electric conversion of the Geo Metro, and he got me in contact with the right folks for a "manual inspection" to exempt the Geo from pollution testing.
In a few minute conversation with him, he basically said that Electrics are easy - they simply exempt them from all pollution/smog tests.
Hybrids on the other hand.......
Anything that runs on alt. fuels still needs to be tested, but all testing is done through ODB2. They no longer have a dynometer or mechanical means of testing.
Aparently, older diesels are not tested, and regular vehicles 1995 or older (pre-ODB2) are not tested.
He was going to do a little research, and get back to me. My general feeling is the same as before - if I just use a 1995 S10, I'll be fine.
But I'm still going to get confirmation on that!
I've heard of a project or two where somebody builds something awesome, and then can't get it legally on the road. NOT a mistake I want to repeat!