Meeting the Emissions Reduction Target with Innovative Fuel Tank Technology

Driven by evaporative emissions regulations from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fuel system components in small gasoline engines have been gradually improving for several years. The next round of emission reduction targets are expected to bring about further improvements in equipment safety and air quality, but these targets cannot be met without the implementation of proper technology. Fortunately, Walbro is a leader in the design and manufacturing of fuel systems and fuel system components.  Our team is bringing years of expertise and experience in co-extruded multilayer fuel tank technology to the industry to ensure that the new targets can be met. “As tighter evaporative emissions regulations are being implemented and enforced, our multilayer fuel tank technology provides customers with a durable long range solution that ensures compliance to the end of a product’s lifecycle, with a variety of different fuels,” says Matthew Riddle, President and CEO of Walbro. Following the lead of CARB, the EPA has set a current fuel tank permeation standard of 1.5 g/m²/day.  The multilayer blow molded fuel tanks by Walbro can reduce permeation to below 0.05 g/m²/day with no performance effects from fuels containing ethanol, easily exceeding the regulatory requirement and setting the standard in the industry. How does the Walbro low permeation fuel tank deliver such amazing results? By utilizing an ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH) layer in its six-layer technology, Walbro has not only incorporated a strong vapor barrier in its fuel tank design, but also provided the necessary strength to maintain its integrity. EVOH is a resilient material, not affected by ethanol, UV, or abrasion, and is used in other industries such as food packaging and the automotive industry for its extremely low vapor permeation. The tanks are also blow molded, a manufacturing technique that inflates the material into a mold, thereby eliminating the presence of seams and providing consistent wall properties. This robust design and manufacturing process ensures product longevity and the ability to meet future evaporative requirements. At Walbro we strive to lead the global small engine market by anticipating customer needs and delivering innovative solutions to a world that demands a cleaner environment. Even as evaporative emissions regulations tighten, competitors continue to enter the market.  But, no manufacturer comes close to the level of experience and understanding of multilayer fuel tanks like Walbro. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, and with a global presence, we not only deliver a best-in-class, low permeation fuel tank to the world market, but also connect with customers and dealers on a personal level to ensure complete satisfaction. When you think about small engines, think about Walbro. Learn more about our latest products, processes, and innovations at Walbro.com.