Nine people convicted of bypassing emissions controls or selling equipment to do so have had their convictions overturned. President Trump granted pardons to nine mechanics and tuners facing millions of dollars in fines and potential jail time for violating the Clean Air Act. They were convicted of bypassing or modifying mandated emissions controls on diesel engines.
The Clean Air Act was first established in 1963, and it has undergone several changes since then. The 1970 act had the most significant impact, with President Nixon establishing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). After the 1960s, when horsepower was a top priority, the introduction of smog equipment in the 1970s was not well received by enthusiasts. A Corvette with only 180 horsepower was not exciting, but the emissions rules largely worked. Smog cleared over cities, and automotive companies adapted to the federal government's emissions requirements.
However, in heavy-duty diesel applications, increasing emissions regulations come with added running costs and potential power limitations. Eliminating pollution-reducing controls like diesel particulate filters or exhaust gas recirculating systems can free up more hauling power and cut down on required maintenance. Emissions tampering is not legal, but to some, it's worth the risk.
View Price on AmazonIn previous years, the EPA has been robust in its prosecution of emissions control deletions, particularly for sellers of equipment like defeat devices. The EPA's lawyers were ready to bring heavy litigation to bear. However, this vigorous defense of EPA regulations is unlikely to continue under the present administration. The current EPA administrator has already called for changes like removing limp mode from diesel trucks low on exhaust treatment fluid.
The EPA has also announced that it intends to eliminate engine start-stop systems in passenger cars. Without enforcement, the emissions controls legislated by the Clean Air Act will likely still be followed by manufacturers, but later deleted by owners and operators who find them onerous. At least for now, the consequences for defeating these controls seem to be on pause.
Source: caranddriver.com
