Trump Grants Pardons to 9 Diesel Tuners Accused of Removing Emissions Devices

      George Rose/Getty Images

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      President Trump pardoned a diesel mechanic who was convicted of breaching the Clean Air Act last November, and he has done so again. Just before Independence Day, the president granted clemency to over seven individuals who had previously faced prison terms, substantial civil fines, and serious criminal penalties. This marks the latest shift in what can be seen as a reversal of the federal government's approach to environmental enforcement.

      During a news conference in the Oval Office, the president mentioned that these cases came to his attention “because [he] noticed they were arresting people for fixing their car.” He further stated, “We rule by common sense.”

      He was alluding to the use of defeat devices, which allow vehicles to function without federally required emissions equipment such as diesel particulate filters and exhaust gas recirculation systems. DPF and EGR components are often cited as the cause of costly repairs and significant downtime for commercial vehicles. The generic term “defeat devices” encompasses both hardware and software, which are often packaged together as delete kits. Essentially, the hardware substitutes the problematic components, while the software modifies the vehicle’s electronic control unit code to ensure it continues to operate.

      Caleb Jacobs

      Joining Troy Lake, the previously pardoned proprietor of Elite Diesel Service in Wyoming, are Joshua Davis, Matt Geouge, Jonathan Achtemeier, Tim Clancy, Ryan and Wade Lalone, Barry Pierce, Aaron Rudolf, and Mackenzie Spurlock.

      Of course, these are not the only mechanics and tuners who have been convicted of emissions violations. The Environmental Protection Agency dedicated years to enforcing the Clean Air Act, even resorting to raiding homes to seize the defeat devices that were being sold. A lot of this has been reversed under Lee Zeldin, the current head of the EPA, who has focused on deregulation during his time in office. Some of his significant actions in the automotive sector include abolishing auto start/stop and instructing truck manufacturers to cease enforcing immediate power limitations when diesel exhaust fluid levels are low.

      Despite some mixed signals recently, with the Department of Justice pursuing data from diesel truck owners in a prominent case, the change in direction appears evident: Neither the president nor the EPA seems particularly focused on enforcing the Clean Air Act concerning diesel vehicles. This is a marked contrast to the position of the previous administration. The future implications of this shift remain uncertain, but it wouldn’t be surprising to hear more developments on this topic moving forward.

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