Apr 29, 2009 8:34 AM

Webasto Product North America is making an impact to save the planet through innovation, engineering, and technology. The company is making its presence known on Capitol Hill the week of May 4 with congressional office visits and a technology demonstration near the Capitol building.

The firm has three Michigan facilities in Fenton, Rochester Hills, and Livonia; two Kentucky facilities in Lexington and Murray; and a facility in Santa Fe Springs CA.

Webasto’s technologies are California Air Resources Board (CARB)-approved, and its BlueCool Truck cooling technology received the 2008 Frost and Sullivan award for the Idle Reduction Technology of the Year based on its positive impacts to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. The BlueCool Truck cab will be on display on the west front of the Capitol (behind Ulysses Grant Memorial) between 9:30 am to 4 pm.

Webasto believes critical roadblocks need to be removed and awareness needs to increase in Congress. It advocates implementing a uniform national idling standard, tax credits, and low-interest loans. All of these components would be major contributors toward reaching America’s twin goals of energy independence and reduction of greenhouse gases.

Webasto’s engine-off technology has the ability to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions now. These technologies make a large reduction of carbon footprint per dollar spent while maintaining a payback period (return on investment) of between four and 12 months.