Freedom Motors Showcases Rotapower Engine as Part of CARB Presentation of Compliant Technology
Freedom Motors displayed both a personal watercraft and jetboat both powered by the Rotapower engine at the CARB hearing in Sacramento today. The display showcased technologies that have the ability to comply with the CARB reduced emissions requirements out past the year 2008.
Sacramento, CA December 10, 1998
– Freedom Motors, the rotary engine development and manufacturing company based in Davis CA, presented testimony in support of the CARB proposal for emissions standards of marine introduced in the 2001 and beyond. In addition, the proposal called for a labeling system which will educate consumers and Regional Water Board's as to the emissions performance of the marine watercraft.The Rotapower engine, testified Tom Fletcher, General Manager of Freedom Motors, has the ability to meet the toughest CARB levels proposed. In addition this technology meets every other requirement for the personal watercraft market including power to weight ratio, cost and reliability. The introduction of the proven charge cooled rotary provides industry with a cost-effective technology that allows 2008 compliance today.
Honda joined Freedom Motors as the only other production manufacturer to show support for the CARB staff proposal. Marine craft with emissions levels demonstrated by Freedom or Honda would earn the cleanest emission label from CARB.
The majority of the marine engine manufacturers did not support the CARB proposal, stating they did not have any available technology that would allow them to meet the emissions requirements in the outer years and that the cost to develop these new clean technologies would have a catastrophic impact on the market. In addition, they felt they would be at a tremendous disadvantage without being able to provide the market with products that could obtain the highest cleanliness label.
The CARB staff's proposed regulation, was passed unanimously by the Board and will put tight limits on marine engines which will enter state starting in 2001. The labeling program to begin in mid-1999.
Freedom Motors is a manufacturer of rotary engines designed for various recreational, industrial and transportation applications including personal watercraft, snowmobiles, portable generators and pumps. The environmentally clean rotary eliminates over 98% of the total emissions of piston engines; as fuel efficient as the best four-stroke piston engine; compact (10 HP model fits in the palm of your hand and 160 HP fits in a hand bucket); low cost, low vibration, low noise and capable of using multiple fuels including natural gas, diesel, alcohol and gasoline.
# # # For More Information: Bruce Calkins Freedom Motors (530) 756-1230