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You May Not Be Able To Buy This Classic American Sports Car if You Live in CA or WA

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Some versions of the Chevy Camaro have become off limits for California and Washington residents who want to order a new 2021 model.

The issue is that the copper levels in the brake pads violate state laws.

There are four 2021 Camaros on the banned list: the SS, 2SS, ZL1, and ZL1 1LE models. Customers can order neither the coupe nor the convertible, although if a dealer has what they want on the lot, they  still can buy a model on the banned-order list, according to the website GMAuthority.

“Due to restrictions in California and Washington state related to copper brake pads, customers in those states cannot order [the four Camaro models] for delivery after January 1, 2021,” said Kevin M. Kelly, senior manager of Chevrolet Cars and Crossover Communications.

Kelly said Camaro lovers should not lose heart entirely.

“Customers can, however, purchase these models from available dealer stock in those states,” he said.

And for those who are picky but patient, there is good news.

“We will resume allowing customers in California and Washington state to order the Camaro SS, ZL1 and 1LE models for the 2022 model year when we introduce a new brake system that is compliant with the copper requirements,” Kelly said.

By then, more rules might change. California has imposed tougher emissions standards in 2021 and is moving toward having all cars sold in the state as of 2035 be emissions-free.

The ban on ordering some 2021 Camaros did not sit well with many on Twitter.

Related:
Ford Receives Second-Highest NHTSA Fine Ever Over Safety Issue

The war on copper in automobile brakes has been waged for years.

Is this more government overreach?

In 2010, then-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the California Motor Vehicle Brake Friction Material Law, which banned the sale of brake pads “containing more than trace amounts of copper, certain heavy metals, and asbestos.”

Next month, brake pads with more than 5 percent copper will be banned, according to Yahoo.

The Environmental Protection Agency five years ago began its war on copper in brake pads by saying they were a danger to aquatic life.

“Elevated levels of copper are toxic in aquatic environments and may adversely affect fish, invertebrates, plants and amphibians,” according to a 2015 EPA document that established the dawn of the “Copper-free Brake Initiative. “

“One source of copper includes wearing of vehicle brake pads onto roadway surfaces where it comes into contact with stormwater and is discharged into nearby waterways,” the document said.

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Jack Davis is a freelance writer who joined The Western Journal in July 2015 and chronicled the campaign that saw President Donald Trump elected. Since then, he has written extensively for The Western Journal on the Trump administration as well as foreign policy and military issues.
Jack Davis is a freelance writer who joined The Western Journal in July 2015 and chronicled the campaign that saw President Donald Trump elected. Since then, he has written extensively for The Western Journal on the Trump administration as well as foreign policy and military issues.
Jack can be reached at jackwritings1@gmail.com.
Location
New York City
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Foreign Policy, Military & Defense Issues




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