Lake Orion, MI – June 3, 2010 -- Affordable Fuel Injection Inc. (AFI) announces the certification of the Ford 4.9L engine meeting stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) exhaust emissions standards. After two-and-a-half years of research, development and extensive testing, the certified engine is now approved for use in 50 states. “This has been the primary focus of our company for some time now,” commented Norman Witte Jr., president of AFI, “Completing the CARB certification process marks a great day for our company and the GSE industry as a whole.” Along with prevalent use throughout the GSE industry, this CARB and EPA certified engine is also relevant to other industries that use the 4.9L Ford engine in equipment ranging from irrigation pumps to generators.
Much of the aviation industry’s ground support equipment has been designed around the Ford 4.9L engine, presenting a problem maintaining the equipment to new standards aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This engine is the first of its kind that allows manufacturers to comply with stringent exhaust emissions standards without making major modifications to their equipment or purchasing expensive replacements. OEMs, refurbishment companies and existing equipment owners will be able to convert their equipment with minimal down time and with significantly less capital outlay.
As a new manufacturer, AFI was required to complete a series of tests to satisfy the precise standards of the CARB. The engine was subjected to four essential tests including three exhaust emissions tests that were conducted on an engine dynamometer. Additionally a fuel tank temperature test was required to demonstrate that the design maintained fuel tank temperatures to levels that would ensure the fuel never reaches a boiling point. Also AFI was required to provide specific warranty, design and support information to the regulatory agencies.
The benefits of the CARB and EPA certified engine are two-fold, along with meeting rigid emissions standards this engine consumes up to 30 percent less fuel. These fuel savings equate to millions of dollars in savings for the aviation industry and can offset rising fuel prices and overhead and significantly reduce the cost of staying compliant with clean air regulations.
