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Visteon Plastic Fuel Tank Helps Customers Achieve 'Greener' Cars

26 September 2000

Visteon Plastic Fuel Tank System Helps Customers Achieve 'Greener' Cars

    DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 26 Visteon Corporation
has developed an industry first -- a plastic fuel tank system designed to help
vehicle manufacturers meet Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standards.  Visteon's
innovative system successfully integrates components inside the plastic tank,
eliminating most of the external fuel system connections.  With the hardware
inside the tank, there is less chance for hydrocarbons to seep into the
earth's atmosphere.
    "Our job is to partner with vehicle manufacturers to meet the needs of
consumers, while working to reduce emissions," said Joy Greenway, director,
Fuel Storage and Delivery.  "Our team didn't see this as a contradiction, but
as a challenge, and our new plastic fuel tank system is evidence of that."
    Meeting automobile emissions regulations -- particularly the Zero
Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) standard -- is increasingly difficult.  To give some
flexibility on ZEV standards, an alternative requirement, called Partial Zero
Emission Vehicle (PZEV) was created.  A manufacturer gets credit against the
ZEV requirement for automobiles that meet PZEV requirements, which include
practically eliminating hydrocarbon emissions from the fuel tank.  This has
not been possible with plastic tanks until now.
    "Until now, OEMs assumed that the only way to meet Partial Zero Emission
Vehicle standards was by using a steel fuel tank," added Gary Mayo, director
of Environmental Affairs for Visteon Corporation.  "Visteon's plastic fuel
tank system offers our customers opportunities to meet these standards and
produce vehicles that are more environmentally friendly."
    In addition to helping meet these standards, Visteon's plastic fuel tank
system has many other benefits, such as improved packaging, lighter weight for
better fuel efficiency, and reduced cost to vehicle manufacturers.  And,
plastic tanks do not corrode like steel tanks.
    Visteon plans to showcase its plastic fuel tank system at the 2000 Paris
Motor Show.