Webasto Non-Idle Heaters Earn Nod from CARB

Webasto Product North America has received approval for several products that meet new California standards for air quality 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 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 most popular 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," said Don Kanneth, general manager of Webasto's Commercial Vehicle Division.

"For example in one category, particulate matter 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."

As of Jan. 1, no truck will be allowed to idle more than five minutes in California. A mandatory shutdown at the five-minute mark will be required. Because a main goal 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 that produces emissions during the shutdown period.