The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) issued a fact sheet to counter confusion surrounding recent actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Trump Administration's rollback of electric vehicle (EV) mandates. The organization warned that some in the industry have falsely interpreted these rollbacks as a green light for emissions-related modifications that violate federal law.
“With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the headlines of late, SEMA has noticed an uptick in misinformation regarding the Trump Administration’s actions on EV mandates,” SEMA said in a statement. “Some members of the industry [are] suggesting that the EV mandate rollbacks mean that defeat devices used to skirt emissions laws are allowed and/or will not be enforced against by the EPA. This is not true; defeat devices are illegal.”
The fact sheet outlines what has and hasn’t changed in federal emissions policy and provides a clear distinction between EV policy shifts and enforcement of Clean Air Act provisions. According to SEMA, enforcement against the use of illegal defeat devices continues regardless of the broader political climate or regulatory shifts.
"Any production, sale, distribution or use of aftermarket products that take a street use motor vehicle out of compliance with federal emissions standards could still face action by EPA and the Department of Justice," SEMA said in the fact sheet.
The document also seeks to prevent further spread of inaccurate claims by equipping manufacturers, resellers and other aftermarket stakeholders with clear, vetted information.
SEMA encourages members of the aftermarket community to review and distribute the fact sheet to help clear up any misunderstandings and ensure continued compliance with EPA regulations.
