What year did they stop putting catalytic converters on cars?
Catalytic converters have been a mandatory component of automobile exhaust systems in the United States since the mid-1970s. The requirement to install catalytic converters on new vehicles was phased in gradually, with the goal of reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality.
The History of Catalytic Converters in Automobiles
Catalytic converters were first introduced in the United States in 1975 as a way to reduce the emission of pollutants from gasoline-powered vehicles. The Clean Air Act of 1970 mandated the use of catalytic converters, and automakers were required to begin installing them on new cars and light trucks starting with the 1975 model year.
The catalytic converter is a device that uses a chemical catalyst to convert toxic exhaust emissions, such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides, into less harmful substances. This helps to significantly reduce the amount of air pollution generated by vehicles.p>
When Did the Requirement for Catalytic Converters End?
The requirement for catalytic converters on new vehicles in the United States has not ended. Catalytic converters remain a mandatory component of automobile exhaust systems to this day. In fact, the regulations around catalytic converters have only become more stringent over time, with increasingly strict emissions standards being implemented.
While the specific details and implementation of catalytic converter requirements have evolved, the fundamental need for this technology to reduce vehicle emissions has remained in place since the 1970s. Automakers continue to be required to install catalytic converters on all new gasoline-powered vehicles sold in the United States.p>
