--- title: "PUTT News Extra: Federal Catalytic Converter Theft Law Incoming?" url: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2026/02/putt-news-extra-federal-catalytic-converter-theft-law-incoming/" publisher: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no" author: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk Staff" published: "2026-02-20T22:38:20+00:00" modified: "2026-02-20T22:38:25+00:00" image: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CatalyticConverters.webp" --- # PUTT News Extra: Federal Catalytic Converter Theft Law Incoming? By Pickup Truck + SUV Talk Staff Published: 2026-02-20T22:38:20+00:00 Updated: 2026-02-20T22:38:25+00:00 ![Featured image]() A round up of brief pickup, SUV and automotive news items of note from the week ending February 20, 2026. Catalytic converter theft + more! We see *a lot* of news stories cross our desks in the course of a week. Not all of them are big enough to warrant a full writeup by your tireless Pickup Truck+SUV Talk staff, so we’re bringing you this weekly round up of all the little stories we thought you might want to know about. ## Congress Takes Action on Catalytic Converter Theft ![image 2]() Will Congress address the catalytic converter theft epidemic? (Photo by [Ramaz Bluashvili]()) Catalytic converter theft has seemingly reached epidemic levels, and as truck owners we’re particularly vulnerable (it’s *a lot* easier to get under a truck with a saw than a Toyota Tercel…). Help may be on the horizon, with both bodies of Congress working on [legislation to address catalytic converter thefts](). Solutions include engraving VINs on the converters on new and existing vehicles, increasing recordkeeping requirements to track thefts, and implementing federal penalties related to the crime. ## Truck Takes a Swim in Pennsylvania ![image 3]() A still from the video report showing the truck being pulled out of the river (via 6ABC Action News video) Some men will never accept that their daily commute is not NASCAR sponsored, nor will they ever admit they are not a top-notch automotive athlete. And sometimes those men end up in the Delaware River (or, you know, whatever river is handy), like one poor soul in Philadelphia did after his [high-speed hijinks led to a loss of control and a quick swim.]() He escaped and was treated for injuries, including to his pride (we would assume). ## Is Your Truck Is Bigger Than a Literal Tank? ![image 4]() These helped liberate Europe. Yours mostly hauls lumber and empties. (Photo by [Hub JACQU]()) It’s not your imagination — trucks *are* getting bigger every year. So much so that *Slashgear* was able to identify no fewer than [FIVE production model pickups are bigger than the Sherman M4 battle tanks]() that helped liberate Europe from the Nazis. Good news if you were planning on driving your truck to liberate anyone from Nazis in the near future! ## Cybertruck Flash Sale ![image 5]() On Sale for ten days! Just $22K more than its original promised price! (Photo via Wikipedia) Several sites are reporting (based on a tweet from Elon, naturally) that the future failure hall-of-famer Cybertruck is [on sale for its lowest price ever]()! For the next ten days only! So, if you have $62K burning a hole in your pocket, and very little self respect, you can own a Cybertruck for its lowest price! Now only $22K more than they [originally claimed it would cost]()! 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