Campaign Targets Emissions Tampering Practices and Proposed Policies that Facilitate Them
Washington, D.C. — The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) is launching a nationwide education and outreach campaign to discourage diesel engine tampering and to educate legislators about state legislative policies that could encourage it.
Because of their unique combination, efficiency, power, durability, reliability, diesel engines are highly sought-after tools of work. They power key sectors in our economy. In order to reduce emissions and achieve near zero levels today, manufacturers have spent billions of dollars in the past 20 year, according to Allen Schaeffer, DTF Executive Director.
“To maximize the potential of these advanced engines, it is important that the equipment be properly fueled and maintained in accordance to the manufacturer’s specifications. He also stated that it is crucial that we collaborate to prevent the tampering of emissions control systems and to discuss the policies that could jeopardize clean-air benefits and safety of the equipment for the operators.”
The campaign involves direct messaging state and municipal policymakers as well diesel users to educate them about proper care and maintenance of diesel engines. As a variety of state legislatures consider so-called “right to repair/fair repair” legislation that will affect farm and other equipment, the campaign is intensifying.
These new laws generally aim to require manufacturers to give independent repair shops access to engine computer scan tool and proprietary codes. This would allow for repair of the equipment. These provisions could lead to dangerous modifications to engine emission control system components and other parts. Under the California Air Resources Board and EPA regulations, manufacturers may also be held responsible for providing a “defeat mechanism” that allows end-users bypass certain emission control inhibitors.
The U.S. EPA Air Enforcement Division (AED), released a significant report in November 2020 about the incidence and effects of tampering on diesel engines and emissions controls. This included software modifications to engine emissions control unit units. The EPA report did not focus on pickup trucks or commercial vehicles. It also didn’t quantify the extent of tampering with off-road equipment and engines. But the agency had good reason to believe that this behavior occurs in most, if not all types of vehicles. It includes pickup trucks and commercial trucks as well as passenger cars, trucks, trucks, and motorcycles.
The EPA has more than a dozen regulations that apply to the manufacture of diesel engines. There are also provisions in the Clean Air Act which require that products be built and warranted for emission performance. These requirements include testing to ensure compliance to regulations, requirements for attaining the “useful lives” provisions, which specify vehicle/engines must comply with emission standards, in-use testing requirements and make tamper resistance emissions systems. These requirements make it a crime to knowingly falsify and tamper, render inaccurate, fail to install, or to remove any “monitoring devices or methods” required by the CAA (42 U.S.C. § 7413(c)(2C).
Recent news reports have highlighted pickup truck owners who “tune” their engines through software code programming and chipping. Some of these practices have resulted in some highly visible and offensive incidents, where engine programming changes allow pulses to over-fueling. This results in dense smoke from the exhaust, often called “rolling coal”.
“Advanced diesel emission control systems have been proven to be effective. They provide near zero emission performance for all newer engines. Owners are responsible for properly fueling and maintaining engines and equipment. They also need to ensure that the systems are safe from abuse. This dangerous and illegal practice must be stopped. We need to all work together to educate equipment owners and those who work in independent repair shops. We must also work together to ensure that it is not facilitated by unnecessary, fair repair or right to repair legislation. Schaeffer states that this is not good for the air quality and it can jeopardize operator safety as well as the safety of all those who use these vehicles and equipment.
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About the Diesel Technology Forum
The Diesel Technology Forum, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to increasing awareness about diesel engines, fuels, and equipment. Forum members are experts in advanced diesel technology, emissions control, and petroleum-based as well as renewable biofuels. For more information visit http://www.dieselforum.org.
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Jessica Puchala Diesel Technology Forum (202) 480-6441 [email protected]