Quote:
Originally Posted by order99
Not to drift too far off topic JSH, but do these same laws apply Federally to motorcycles and/or scooter? I have a project in the drafting stage and the NC DOT website is such a mess...  |
Yes. Car, motorcycle, scooter, boat, train, plane, etc. The EPA has emission standards for pretty much everything with an engine from your lawn mower to a Boeing 787. Emissions standards and compliance are set by Federal law and only California has the authority to set their own emission standards. NC does not have the authority to allow you to violate Federal law. They can only chose not to enforce Federal law.
The Clean Air Act makes it illegal modify your engine unless it is with parts that have been certified to meet the emission standards for the year the vehicle was sold. It is also illegal to remove or disable any part of the emission system. The pertinent section of the law is below:
US Code 7522
(3)(A) for any person to remove or render inoperative any device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine in compliance with regulations under this subchapter prior to its sale and delivery to the ultimate purchaser, or for any person knowingly to remove or render inoperative any such device or element of design after such sale and delivery to the ultimate purchaser; or
(B) for any person to manufacture or sell, or offer to sell, or install, any part or component intended for use with, or as part of, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine, where a principal effect of the part or component is to bypass, defeat, or render inoperative any device or element of design installed on or in a motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine in compliance with regulations under this subchapter, and where the person knows or should know that such part or component is being offered for sale or installed for such use or put to such use
§7524. Civil penalties
(a) Violations
Any person who violates sections 1 7522(a)(1), 7522(a)(4), or 7522(a)(5) of this title or any manufacturer or dealer who violates section 7522(a)(3)(A) of this title shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25,000. Any person other than a manufacturer or dealer who violates section 7522(a)(3)(A) of this title or any person who violates section 7522(a)(3)(B) of this title shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $2,500. Any such violation with respect to paragraph (1), (3)(A), or (4) of section 7522(a) of this title shall constitute a separate offense with respect to each motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine. Any such violation with respect to section 7522(a)(3)(B) of this title shall constitute a separate offense with respect to each part or component.