This is a new NCI for FY 2020-2023.

Problem

Mobile sources are a significant contributor to air pollution. The EPA, through its direct implementation authority, can play a critical role in addressing these important pollutant sources. Title II of the Clean Air Act (CAA) authorizes the EPA to set standards applicable to emissions from a variety of vehicles and engines. Required emission controls often include filters and catalysts installed in the vehicle’s or engine’s exhaust system, as well as calibrations that manage fueling strategy and other operations in the engine itself. The CAA prohibits tampering with emissions controls, as well as manufacturing, selling, and installing aftermarket devices intended to defeat those controls. The EPA has found numerous companies and individuals that have manufactured and sold both hardware and software specifically designed to defeat required emissions controls on vehicles and engines used on public roads as well as on nonroad vehicles and engines. Illegally-modified vehicles and engines contribute substantial excess pollution that harms public health and impedes efforts by the EPA, tribes, states, and local agencies to plan for and attain air quality standards.

Goal

This NCI will focus on stopping the manufacture, sale, and installation of defeat devices on vehicles and engines used on public roads as well as on nonroad vehicles and engines.

Results

The EPA began increasing its focus on aftermarket defeat devices before this NCI was formally initiated. In FY 2019, the EPA resolved approximately 17 civil enforcement cases concerning tampering and aftermarket defeat devices, bringing the total to approximately 50 such cases resolved starting with FY 2017. These cases addressed alleged violations by manufacturers, retailers, and installers of aftermarket defeat devices. The EPA is also taking criminal enforcement for alleged crimes associated with tampering and aftermarket defeat devices. In addition, the EPA has conducted extensive outreach and engagement with stakeholders to describe the Clean Air Act violations EPA has identified in the course of enforcement work, and to collaborate on ways to strategically achieve compliance.