The Bureau of Motor Vehicles’ Enforcement Division (BMV) and Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) will team up to host a free catalytic converter etching event on Tuesday, April 21. The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon, at EMCC (354 Hogan Road, Bangor). Vehicles will be etched on a first come, first served basis, or attendees can register for a preferred time slot by emailing investigations.bmv@maine.gov. 

EMCC students will assist with the marking of the catalytic converters. 

“Through this event, vehicle owners will be able to proactively protect themselves and their vehicles,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, in a news release. “These are always popular events, and I encourage Mainers in the Bangor area to come out to EMCC on Tuesday to protect their wallets and their vehicle by avoiding potential damage and parts theft.” 

What is a catalytic converter and why are they stolen? A catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions from a vehicle’s exhaust system. They contain small amounts of precious metals, such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium, making them a quick and enticing source of revenue for thieves.

"No vehicle is immune, but popular targets include large trucks that are easy to access and hybrid vehicles because they contain higher quantities of precious metals," said the Secretary of State's office. "Fluctuating prices for precious metals can lead to spikes in thefts – thieves can fetch hundreds of dollars for stolen converters while replacement can cost the victims as much as $2,500." 

Awareness and theft prevention measures help reduce thefts. According to statistics from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), there was a nearly 900% increase in catalytic converter thefts between 2019 and 2023. A 2022 Maine law added penalties for the theft of catalytic converters while also requiring new and used car dealers to engrave the full vehicle identification number (VIN) onto converters when removed from a vehicle, and a license to sell, purchase, remove, or dispose of converters. Free catalytic converter marking events such as the upcoming event at EMCC further increase the number of converters marked in Maine.   

“Catalytic converters are targeted by thieves because they are easily accessible and fairly easy to remove,” said Derek F. Dinsmore, Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Services Division. “We are grateful to EMCC for partnering with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to bring this opportunity to the Bangor area and help Mainer deter thefts.”