Is “rolling coal” illegal in Virginia?

Rolling Coal Legality and Effects

If you’ve had a diesel truck, at some point in your life you’ve (either intentionally or unintentionally) rolled coal. On one hand, it’s satisfying to see the product of hundred of years of human ingenuity billowing out a vehicle at the touch of a pedal. On the other hand, breathing in a cloud of diesel exhaust isn’t the most pleasant experience. With arguments both for and against the practice, it can be unclear if it’s actually legal to do so.

So, is rolling coal illegal in Virginia?

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Rolling Coal: Is it Illegal?

There is no Virginia law against rolling coal or modifying your vehicle to be able to do so. However, in 2014, the EPA stated that it violated the Clean Air Act, making the practice illegal on a federal level. The sale, manufacture, or 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” is punishable by federal law. Tangentially, this law is the reason for the recent Volkswagen/Audi “Dieselgate” scandal.

Why is it Illegal?

There are two majorly cited reasons for rolling coal being illegal. First, as mentioned earlier, is the violation of clean air laws. Diesel fuel exhaust has many particulates in it that wreak havoc on the human respiratory system. The American Cancer Society has directly linked exposure to diesel exhaust to lung cancer, similar to tobacco smoke. Second, rolling coal is a major traffic safety concern, as thick black smoke decreases visibility significantly, increasing the risk of accidents and collisions. Controversially, vehicles modified to roll coal eject more greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change, though its significance in any one instance is contentious and debatable.

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