MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Canadian-based Espar Heater Systems says it’s the first company to have received certification under the California Air Resource Boards ULEV II (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle’s) idling emissions reduction requirements for all fuel operated heaters.

Starting Jan. 1, 2008, bunk heaters and engine pre-heaters in all commercial motor vehicles must comply with the rule, which bans trucks from idling for more than 5 minutes in the state of California.

Trucks traveling into the state must have an automatic shut down switch that will activate after the five-minute time interval.

Furthermore, CARB mandated that all anti-idling technologies, including Fuel Operated Heaters and APU’s comply with new limits on NOx, CO2, and Particulate Matter, among other emissions.

Espar says its three heaters — the Airtronic D2 (small bunk heater); the Airtronic D4 (large bunk heater); and its Hydronic 5 (engine pre-heater) — are all approved.

“It was a long and arduous task, involving significant costs but we knew it had to be done and we knew that we could confidently meet the imposed specifications,” says John Dennehy, vice-president of Marketing and Communications for Espar Products.

Espar will now ship all heaters with stickers that indicate the products are CARB compliant. “We will have one on the heater and one for the driver to place on his vehicle, so that in the event the driver is asked for proof he can readily show the inspector that the heater has met conformance,” Dennehy adds.