Laws exist for a reason, and specifically, the Clean Air Act exists for a reason. Apparently, many repair shops have been trying to disable the emissions control systems of many diesel vehicles using a device (which is, of course, illegal). A 10 million dollar fine is waiting for a shop specialized in these vehicles (and its owner, of course) for manufacturing, selling and installing these devices. Enough of everyone doing whatever they want and looking the other way. The Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency are taking this issue very seriously.
An exemplary fine
This time it was Rudy’s Performance Parts, a well known shop in North Carolina within the diesel world. Its specialty was modifying engines with so called defeat devices (these systems designed to remove or disable the anti pollution controls required by law). This resulted in more power, more performance and, of course, much more pollution (but that did not matter to them).
For years they sold these devices, and when their suppliers stopped selling them, they began manufacturing them themselves. You can imagine the amount of money they made in revenue.
What is being punished?
There was not just one fine here, but several. On one hand, a criminal penalty of 2.4 million dollars for conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act, and on the other hand, a multi million dollar civil fine for ignoring formal EPA requirements and continuing illegal practices despite having received warnings in the past.
Aaron Rudolf, the “protagonist” of this story, knew perfectly well what he was doing. It was not a mistake, which is why the fine was higher.
No more polluting engines
The EPA has been closely monitoring manufacturers and shops that manipulate diesel engines for more than three years, but never before had such a high amount been imposed against a business.
For the agency, these devices are a direct threat to public health. Think about it, they are devices that increase emissions of nitrogen oxides and other polluting particles closely linked to respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
“For too many years, these types of companies have been dedicated to evading the public health protections put in place by the government. The EPA will apply criminal and civil penalties until this illegal conduct comes to an end.” David M. Uhlmann, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, EPA.
Message to the automotive sector
Let’s say this fine is a “model fine”, and anyone who continues selling or installing this illegal technology risks facing a multi million dollar penalty. Because in addition to paying the fine, the shop will have to destroy the remaining devices, remove all related advertising material and permanently stop offering technical support for these types of modifications. Wow.
No turning back
Rudy’s shop is not the only one that profited from this. Many other shops earned a large portion of their income from these types of modifications, but that is over now.
In addition, these shops now fear that retroactive investigations may uncover these practices. Because of this, distributors and engine tuning software companies are already reviewing contracts, catalogs and even old emails.
So that no one ignores the warning
This case will become a new reference point, and any emissions related violation will be measured by this same standard. With such a high financial risk, many businesses simply will not even try (a fine like this destroys anyone…).
Environmental compliance is no longer optional, especially now that we are in the middle of an ecological transition.