The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has long led the state's charge to reduce unnecessary harmful greenhouse gases. Most recently, the organization has helped push through new ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) idling emissions reduction legislation, which requires all fuel-operated heaters to meet the new rules for any Class 3-8 equipped truck registered in California, as well as those entering the state's borders. The regulation also will affect other commercial vehicles, including those with a GVW over 10,000 pounds. CARB recently approved several anti-idle devices manufactured by Webasto Product North America, adding that these new products meet or out-perform the state's new standards for air quality that are scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2008. Webasto's products are among the earliest anti-idle devices to receive approval for CARB's new ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) idling emissions reduction requirements. Approved heaters include the Webasto Air Top 2000 S and Air Top 2000 ST compartment air heaters and Thermo Top Z/C (TSL 17) engine coolant pre-heater. A fourth Webasto product, BlueCool Truck, which provides cold air to cool a truck's bunk in hot weather, did not need review because it has no emissions. "Webasto's air heaters, sold as original equipment by a number of OE heavy duty truck producers, as well as through aftermarket channels, surpassed all emission categories from CARB, and many measured in a range well below LEV II regulated levels," says Don Kanneth, general manager of Webasto's Commercial Vehicle Division. "In one category, particulate matter (PM) output was so low that you could theoretically park 20 Class 8 trucks outfitted with Webasto Air Top 2000 S Heaters next to each other and the combined emissions would still meet the CARB requirements for just one truck. We had other emission categories that tested even better." Starting January 1, no truck will be allowed to idle more than five minutes (in non-traffic situations) in California. A mandatory shutdown at the five-minute mark will be required. Because a main goal of the legislation is to limit engine idling during mandatory rest-time for drivers, the new regulation expands beyond fuel-operated heaters (FOH) to auxiliary power units (APUs) and any system which produces emissions during the shutdown period. These products are very popular with truck drivers, who use them to provide a more comfortable living environment between long drives. All no-idle devices must meet CARB's exhaust gas limits on nitrous oxide, particulate matter, carbon dioxide and other gases that are damaging to air quality. The California system is so well regarded that up to five or more additional states have stated they will follow CARB's lead on such regulations. "We appreciate CARB's leadership and work in the area of improved air quality and fuel savings, and we found the organization to be very professional and diligent," says Jim Quesenberry, Webasto's manager of homologation and certification. Webasto's air top heaters address driver comfort by efficiently heating sleeper cabs without idling the vehicle engine. Air Top 2000 S and Air Top 2000 ST heaters operate up to 20-hours on a gallon of fuel, are extremely quiet in operation and can typically pay for themselves in one season of use. The Webasto Thermo Top Z/C (TSL 17) provides reliable on-demand engine preheating. This system heats and circulates coolant through the engine block. The Thermo Top/TSL 17 significantly reduces fuel consumption, cold engine start damage and exhaust emissions. It is a self contained system that is compact and easily mounts in the engine compartment. Designed for no-idle bunk cooling while the driver sleeps, BlueCool Truck is charged while the truck is moving down the road. It provides cool cabin air via stored thermal energy, and uses minimal 12-volt power to run fans and circulate the coolant. The system uses no diesel fuel and therefore produces no emissions during the cooling operation because it runs independently of the OEM air conditioning system. For more information about Webasto, visit the company's Web site. |
