NHVR prosecutes companies for engine remapping

As we reported back in June, the NHVR is targeting engine remapping in a campaign to help stamp out the illegal practice.

And as a result, an investigation conducted by the South Australia Police Heavy Vehicle Enforcement Unit (HVEU) found a South Australian produce company had remapped the engines of four heavy vehicles to disable the vehicles’ emission devices.

The operator pleaded guilty to four charges of tampering with an emission control system fitted to a heavy vehicle and was fined $3000. They were also required to spend over $32,000 to rectify the compliance issues.

A further SAPOL HVEU investigation found software and electronic equipment associated with speed limiter tampering at a South Australian transport company’s office.

The operator pleaded guilty to possessing a device designed or adapted to enable speed limiter tampering and was fined $1200. The operator was also required to forfeit the equipment.

NHVR Executive Director Statutory Compliance, Ray Hassall, said the NHVR was working collaboratively with the heavy vehicle industry to remove engine remapping and improve safety.

“We’re currently undertaking an education campaign to highlight the harmful effects engine remapping can have on heavy vehicle drivers and logistics workers, as well as communities and the environment,” Mr Hassall said.

“By ensuring all engines are compliant with current regulations, the transport industry can better protect the health and safety of truck drivers, the supply chain, and the general community.”

“The NHVR and SAPOL regard speed limiter tampering as a serious public safety offence and we won’t hesitate to prosecute operators who ignore the law.”

The NHVR estimates that up to one in ten heavy vehicles are operating on Australian roads with illegally remapped engines, releasing dangerous levels of toxic diesel emissions and posing a major safety risk by disabling 100km/h speed limiter controls.

For more information on illegal engine remapping, click here.