---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 7587"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "7587"
heading: "Vehicle conversions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/7587"
units:
  - "Chapter 85 — Air Pollution Prevention and Control"
  - "Subchapter II — Emission Standards for Moving Sources"
  - "Part C — Clean Fuel Vehicles"
---

# §7587. Vehicle conversions

- (a) **Conversion of existing and new conventional vehicles to clean-fuel vehicles—** The requirements of [section 7586 of this title](/usc/42/7586.md) may be met through the conversion of existing or new gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles to [clean-fuel vehicles](/usc/42/7581.md?p=7) which comply with the applicable requirements of that section. For purposes of such provisions the conversion of a vehicle to clean fuel[^1] vehicle shall be treated as the purchase of a clean fuel[^1] vehicle. Nothing in this part shall be construed to provide that any [covered fleet](/usc/42/7581.md?p=5) operator subject to fleet vehicle purchase requirements under [section 7586 of this title](/usc/42/7586.md) shall be required to convert existing or new gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles to [clean-fuel vehicles](/usc/42/7581.md?p=7) or to purchase converted vehicles.
- (b) **Regulations—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall, within 24 months after November 15, 1990, consistent with the requirements of this subchapter applicable to new vehicles, promulgate regulations governing conversions of conventional vehicles to [clean-fuel vehicles](/usc/42/7581.md?p=7). Such regulations shall establish criteria for such conversions which will ensure that a converted vehicle will comply with the standards applicable under this part to [clean-fuel vehicles](/usc/42/7581.md?p=7). Such regulations shall provide for the application to such conversions of the same provisions of this subchapter (including provisions relating to administration enforcement) as are applicable to standards under section[^2] 7582, 7583, 7584, and [7585](/usc/42/7585.md) of this title, except that in the case of conversions the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may modify the applicable regulations implementing such provisions as the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) deems necessary to implement this part.
- (c) **Enforcement—** Any [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) who converts conventional vehicles to clean fuel[^1] vehicles pursuant to [subsection (b)](#b), shall be considered a [manufacturer](/usc/42/7550.md?p=1) for purposes of sections [7525](/usc/42/7525.md) and [7541](/usc/42/7541.md) of this title and related enforcement provisions. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall require a [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) who performs such conversions to warrant any part or operation of a vehicle other than as required under this part. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the applicability of any other warranty to unrelated parts or operations.
- (d) **Tampering—** The conversion from a vehicle capable of operating on gasoline or diesel fuel only to a [clean-fuel vehicle](/usc/42/7581.md?p=7) shall not be considered a [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of [section 7522(a)(3) of this title](/usc/42/7522.md?p=a-3) if such conversion complies with the regulations promulgated under [subsection (b)](#b).
- (e) **Safety—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Transportation shall, if necessary, promulgate rules under applicable [motor vehicle](/usc/42/7550.md?p=2) laws regarding the safety of vehicles converted from existing and new vehicles to [clean-fuel vehicles](/usc/42/7581.md?p=7).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be “clean-fuel”.
[^2]: So in original. Probably should be “sections”.

## Source credit

(July 14, 1955, ch. 360, title II, § 247, as added Pub. L. 101–549, title II, § 229(a), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2523.)