Rolling coal is the practice of modifying a diesel engine to emit large amounts of black or grey sooty exhaust fumes—diesel fuel that has not undergone complete combustion. It is a predominantly North American phenomenon (more specifically in the United States and Canada), despite being illegal.
Rolling coal is sometimes used as a form of anti-environmentalism. Such modifications may include the intentional removal of the particulate filter. Practitioners often additionally modify their vehicles by installing smoke switches, large exhausts, and smoke stacks. Modifications to a vehicle to enable rolling coal may cost from US$200 to US$5,000.
Background
Rolling coal is a form of conspicuous air pollution, used for entertainment or as protest. Some drivers intentionally trigger coal rolling in the presence of hybrid vehicles (a practice nicknamed "Prius repellent") to cause their drivers to lose sight of the road and inhale harmful air pollution. Coal rolling may also be directed at foreign vehicles, bicyclists, protesters, and pedestrians. Practitioners cite "American freedom" and a stand against "rampant environmentalism" as reasons for coal rolling.
A concern is road traffic safety violations, as the black smoke impairs visibility, increasing the risks of motor vehicle crashes, and is a violation of clean air laws.
Some incidents have led to injuries. In 2021, six bicyclists training for a road race were run over by a 16-year-old who was rolling coal along Business U.S. Highway 290 in Waller County, Texas, outside Houston. Two of the cyclists were injured severely enough to require medical evacuation by helicopter. The motorist, a teenaged boy, was not charged at the time of the accident; local cyclists' groups were outraged. He was later charged with six felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Legality
United States
In July 2014, the United States Environmental Protection Agency stated that the practice was illegal, as it violated the Clean Air Act which prohibits the manufacturing, sale, and installation "of a part for a motor vehicle that bypasses, defeats, or renders inoperative any emission control device” and “prohibits anyone from tampering with an emission control device on a motor vehicle by removing it or making it inoperable prior to or after the sale or delivery to the buyer."
State law
| State | Bill | Year | Effective | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | HB16-1319 | 2016 | N/A | |
| Colorado | HB17-1102 | 2017 | N/A | |
| Colorado | SB17-278 | 2017 | June 5, 2017 | |
| Connecticut | HB-6975 | 2017 | October 1, 2017 | "Any person who violates the provisions of this subdivision shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both." |
| Connecticut | HB-5871 | 2019 | N/A | "To prevent bias attacks which employ the practice of 'rolling coal' ... any person guilty of intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the fourth degree shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor." |
| Idaho | SB1130 | 2017 | N/A | |
| Illinois | HB3553 | 2015 | N/A | In March 2015, Illinois General Assembly representative Will Guzzardi published a bill proposing to impose a $5,000 fine on anyone who removes or alters their vehicle's EPA emissions equipment. Guzzardi has made it clear that "The fine would come on top of any penalties enforced by the current law that prohibits emissions tampering." |
| Maine | 2113 | 2019 | 2019 | Prohibits operating a diesel-powered motor vehicle under 18,000 pounds gross weight that emits visible smoke on a public way or parking area because of an alteration to the air pollution control system. Violation is a traffic infraction subject to a penalty not exceeding $100. |
| Maryland | HB848 | 2016 | N/A | |
| Maryland | HB11 | 2017 | October 1, 2017 | |
| Massachusetts | H.3097 | 2019 | N/A | |
| New Jersey | SB2418 | 2014 | May 4, 2015 | In May 2015, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a bill into law prohibiting the retrofitting of diesel-powered vehicles to increase particulate emissions for the purpose of coal rolling. Those found in violation are subject to a fine by the state's Department of Environmental Protection. The bill was introduced by state Assemblyman Tim Eustace after a pickup truck blasted smoke at Eustace's Nissan Leaf while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike. |
| New York | S8201 | 2016 | N/A | |
| New York | S37 | 2017 | N/A | |
| New York | S38 | 2019 | N/A | |
| Utah | HB110 | 2015 | May 12, 2015 | |
| Utah | HB171 | 2018 | N/A | |
| Utah | HB139 | 2019 | N/A |
California
California law prohibits operating a vehicle "in a manner resulting in the escape of excessive smoke, flame, gas, oil, or fuel residue". The California Highway Patrol or local police can cite a vehicle under this section or others for rolling coal.
Colorado
Prohibits nuisance exhibition of motor vehicle exhaust, which is the knowing release of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions from a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds or less into the air and onto roadways, other motor vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians, in a manner that obstructs or obscures another person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadway, or a traffic control device or otherwise creates a hazard to a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian.
Connecticut
No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a manner that causes a visual exhibition of smoke that consists of the release of soot, smoke or other particulate emissions to the air and onto roadways, other motor vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians, with the intent to (A) cause a reasonable person to feel harassed, annoyed or alarmed, (B) obstruct or obscure any person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadway or a traffic control device, or (C) create a hazard to a motor vehicle operator, bicyclist or pedestrian.
Indiana
"The engine and power mechanism of a motor vehicle must be equipped and adjusted so as to prevent escape of excessive fumes or smoke".
Kansas
Vehicles must be equipped and adjusted to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
Maryland
A person may not knowingly or intentionally cause a diesel-powered motor vehicle to discharge clearly visible smoke, soot, or other exhaust emissions onto another person or motor vehicle. Normal operations, commercial vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more, and construction site vehicles are exempt.
Massachusetts
"No person operating a diesel-powered vehicle shall intentionally release significant quantities of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions into the air, onto roadways or other vehicles in a manner that obstructs or obscures another person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadway, or a traffic control device or otherwise creates a hazard to a driver."
New Jersey
No person shall retrofit any diesel-powered vehicle with any device, smoke stack, or other equipment which enhances the vehicle's capacity to emit soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions, or shall purposely release significant quantities of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions into the air and onto roadways and other vehicles while operating the vehicle, colloquially referred to as "coal rolling."
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations also prohibit "smoking vehicles", and the department has a reporting hotline.
North Carolina
In 2016, a question to the Western North Carolina Air Quality Director about "rolling coal" referenced state law. Vehicles driven on a highway must have equipment to prevent "annoying smoke and smoke screens". During any mode of operation, diesel-powered vehicles cannot emit for longer than five consecutive seconds visible contaminants darker than a specific density.
Texas
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) decommissioned its state-wide smoking vehicle reporting program. Reports on smoking vehicles can still be made through the North Central Texas Regional Smoking Vehicle Program in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, which includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise counties.
Utah
The Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend or revoke a vehicle's registration if notified by a local health department that the vehicle is unable to meet state or local air emissions standards. Except during warmup or heavy tow, or for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight greater than 26,000 pounds, a diesel engine may not emit visible contaminants during operation if manufactured after 2007, or may not emit contaminants greater than a specific density if manufactured before 2008.
An incident of coal rolling on a cyclist was captured on camera in August 2018 and referred to the Kane County attorney. In March 2020 cast members of the Utah-based Diesel Brothers reality television series, and the companies they own, were fined a total of $850,000 for Clean Air Act violations.
County or municipal ordinances and reporting
Hudson, Colorado
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in a nuisance exhibition of motor vehicle exhaust, which is the knowing release of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions from a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds or less into the air and onto roadways, other motor vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians, in a manner that obstructs or obscures another person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadways, or a traffic control device or otherwise creates a hazard to a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian. The ordinance, which was passed in September 2017, exempts several categories of vehicles, and provides for a fine up to $499.
Overland Park, Kansas
The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall be so equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.
Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber/Morgan Counties, Utah
These counties have "smoking vehicle" report forms online.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
A person shall not engage in a nuisance exhibition of motor vehicle exhaust, which is the knowing release of soot, smoke, or other particulate emissions from a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds or less into the air and onto roadways, other motor vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians, in a manner that obstructs or obscures another person's view of the roadway, other users of the roadway, or a traffic control device, or otherwise creates a hazard to a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian. The ordinance, which was passed in July 2017, exempts several categories of vehicles and provides for a fine of up to $750 and up to six months in jail. A first attempt in July 2016 failed, but Cheyenne police had clarified at that time that they had been writing tickets for coal rolling under state law.
Canada
Provincial Law
| Province | Bill | Year | Effective | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | M 232 | 2017 | N/A | "This Bill would prohibit tampering with emissions control devices in motor vehicles after their sale." |
| Ontario | Bill 132 | 2019 | December 2019 | Schedule 16, Section 11 |
British Columbia
"A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $5,000."
Ontario
Section 75.1 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act prohibits modifications to a vehicle's emissions systems to increase emissions output exceeding that of the manufacturer's specifications, and modifications which tamper a vehicle’s emission control system to bypass, disable or otherwise negate it. Furthermore, Ontario Regulation 169/22 restricts the opacity of vehicle emissions and modifications to a vehicle's emissions system. Violations can result in a fine ranging from $300 to $1000 CAD for non-commercial vehicles, and $400 to $20 000 for commercial vehicles.
See also
- Truck nuts
- Wet stacking, a term for when diesel engines exhaust unburned fuel, whether unintentionally or as part of rolling coal
External links
- "Diesel Technology Forum Statement on "Rolling Coal"". Diesel Technology Forum. July 17, 2014. Statement from the diesel industry criticising the practice. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2014.
- Bell, Lucas (7 Dec 2022). "The EPA Is Hunting Performance Shops and Diesel Tuners Are to Blame". Hearst Digital Media. Road and Track. Retrieved 12 December 2022.