Radolfzell, Germany, September 29, 2006 -BRP's Evinrude® E-TECTM direct injection two-stroke outboard engines have received approval for operation on Lake Constance (Bodensee). Evinrude E-TEC outboards are the first two-stroke engines to receive such approval from the nautical authorities responsible for one of the most pristine and environmentally sensitive bodies of water in Europe.
"The recognition of our Evinrude E-TEC two-stroke engine technology for use on Lake Constance by such a respected and stringent regulatory board is an outstanding achievement of which we are very proud. Today's milestone reinforces our efforts of changing perceptions about our direct-injection two-stroke outboard technology versus four-stroke engines," said Pierre Pichette, vice-president, Public Affairs, BRP, during a ceremony held by the Deutsche Lebens Rettungs Gesellschaft (DRLG). The DLRG is the largest voluntary water rescue organization operating on and around the Bodensee and promoting marine environmental responsibility and leadership.
Lake Constance (Bodensee) covers 64 km (40 miles) in length and 13.6 km (8.5 miles) in width and is Europe's third largest lake. The Lake Constance region, situated on the Rhine between Germany, Switzerland and Austria, is one of the most beautiful and spectacular landscapes in Central Europe. More than 4.5 million people in the region rely on the nautical officials under the BSO regulations (Bodensee-Schifffahrts Ordnung) to protect the Lake, as it is a major source of their drinking water.
Enacted in 1976, the BSO regulations severely restricted all recreational marine engines. In early 2006, a new regulation, the sport boat clause, was introduced to allow EU (European Union) certified four-stroke engines up to 90 hp (74 kW) on the lake. By certifying that Evinrude E-TEC emission levels fall below the EU four-stroke limits, nautical officials agreed to approve the first two-stroke on the lake since 1976. Based on this approval, the nautical authorities are now able to register the Evinrude E-TEC 40, 50, 60, 75 and 90 hp models for operation on the Bodensee.
"As a representative of the nautical authorities of the Bodensee, I am very pleased to say that BRP's Evinrude E-TEC engines will now be able to play in the same league as four-stroke engines. According to the EU RCD guidelines, their engines fulfill the exhaust emission requirements and therefore, their two-stroke Evinrude E-TEC outboards can be registered under the sport boat clause for use on the Bodensee," said Andreas Ellegast.
The Evinrude E-TEC engines' low emissions and environmental responsibility caught the attention of the DLRG. "For the past two years the DLRG, Group Radolfzell, has owned one of the boats used in shallow waters, but was missing an appropriate engine. We are very pleased and grateful that our rescue efforts on the Bodensee will be supported by BRP, thanks to their Evinrude E-TEC two-stroke outboard engines," said Andreas Hoffmann, member of the State Parliament and Chairman of the DLRG, Bodensee-Konstanz district.
The DLRG, Group Radolfzell, acknowledged the Lake Constance approval of Evinrude E-TEC at the launch of their latest rescue vessel, which is powered by a new Evinrude E-TEC 40 hp engine. "The Evinrude E-TEC technology was accepted by our organization because it has important water quality benefits for operation on the Bodensee," continued Hoffmann. "The Evinrude E-TEC emission test results were closely reviewed and resulted in an approval. We are very careful about preserving the high quality of the Bodensee, taking exhaust emissions of boat engines seriously," he further stated. Additional information about the DLRG ceremony including photographs and video footage can be found at the following web link: www.evinrude-cleanerwater.com.
In 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a Clean Air Technology Excellence Award to BRP for its Evinrude E-TEC technology, an advanced two-stroke direct injection outboard engine that produces lower exhaust emissions (including lower carbon monoxide emissions) than most four-stroke engines, providing a cleaner, quieter and safer boating environment. E-TEC technology meets stringent 2006 U.S. EPA, European Union (EU), and 2008 California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-Star ultra-low emissions standards.
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski Doo® and Lynx® snowmobiles, Sea Doo® watercraft and sport boats, Johnson® and Evinrude® outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as Evinrude E TEC™, Can Am™ all-terrain vehicles, Rotax® engines and karts.
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For information:
Corporate:
Johanne Denault
Manager,
Communications and Public Affairs
Tel: 450.532.5173
johanne.denault@brp.com
www.evinrude-cleanerwater.com.
International:
Ada Nazzari
Senior advisor
International Sales & Marketing
Tel: 514-732-7024
Ada.nazzari@brp.com
U.S.A.
Christine Schultz
Senior Public Relations Coordinator
BRP US Inc.
Tel: 262-884-5380
christine.schultz@brp.com