For centuries, cars have transformed modern society by providing a sense of freedom of mobility and independence, not to mention style and status.
However, they have also had a profound impact on the environment. Automobiles leave a massive carbon footprint through the emission of toxic gases into the air, which causes significant risks to one's health.
However, thanks to EPA guidelines, today, most vehicles are fitted with pollution-reducing devices known as catalytic converters to minimize their environmental impact. Let's look at these brilliant gadgets, how they work and why their theft is on the rise.
A catalytic converter is part of a car's exhaust system, located on the underside of the car between the exhaust manifold and muffler. Depending on the manufacturer, the part itself may look different. Still, more often, it appears cylindrical, honeycomb-shaped, beaded, or oblong and coated in a metal catalyst, a combination of platinum, rhodium, and palladium.
Generally, car engines run on diesel or gasoline. When the fuel burns in the combustion chamber, poisonous gases such as carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides are released; without a catalytic converter, these gases are released directly into the air and could pollute the air. However, with a converter, the catalyst speeds up the chemical reaction, breaking apart the harmful gases into other harmless gases.
The catalytic converter (CC) was invented by a French mechanical engineer named Eugene Houdry around 1950. He invented it to clean up automobile exhaust. However, its widespread use began around 1975 when the EPA tried to minimize air pollution from cars.
There are three types of catalytic converters used in automobiles, namely:
In the recent past, the cases of catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter cases increased by 325% from 3,390 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020. This auto part has been a magnet for thieves because the catalyst used in it is mostly a precious metal, such as:
Palladium is more precious than gold, and its price has skyrocketed recently. For instance, in 2018, an ounce of palladium was worth $1000; today, an ounce is worth about $3000.
The catalytic converters are also easy to steal. The thieves can easily climb under the car and take it off within minutes with just a saw or wrench. Again, trucks and SUVs are targeted the most because they are raised off the ground more than other cars.
You can protect your fleet from catalytic converter theft by:
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