Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New Fuel Tank Requirements For Automakers Part Of Effort To Reduce Post-Crash Deaths

Federal regulators, in a bid to cut the number of lives lost in post-crash fires each year, ordered automakers to adopt stronger fuel tanks capable of preventing leaks during crashes at higher speeds, the Detroit News reported on December 1.

by Staff
December 1, 2003
2 min to read


Federal regulators, in a bid to cut the number of lives lost in post-crash fires each year, ordered automakers to adopt stronger fuel tanks capable of preventing leaks during crashes at higher speeds, the Detroit News reported on December 1. Automakers will have to start meeting the new rules in the 2005-model year. The requirements will be fully phased in by 2009. Under current rules, vehicles must pass a two-part test to be certified for fire crash-worthiness. Cars and trucks are struck from behind by a flat, rigid barrier at 30 mph. They are also struck on the side at 20 mph. After the crashes, the vehicles are checked for fuel leakage. The new test will replace the flat, rigid barrier with a lighter, deformable barrier that more closely resembles a car's front end and bumper. The rear-impact test will be conducted at 50 mph. The side test will be performed at 33.5 mph. NHTSA estimates 46 percent of the cars and trucks on the road today would fail the new tests. To pass, vehicles may not spill more than a few ounces of fuel after they are struck from behind by a barrier similar to a vehicle's front end. A vehicle won't pass the new test if it spills one ounce of fuel during the crash, 5 ounces in the five minutes after the crash, or 1 ounce during any one-minute interval for 25 minutes after the crash. Vehicle fires due to fuel tank leaks are relatively rare, occurring in less than one percent of vehicles that are towed from crashes, the government said. But when they do happen, they usually are severe.

Topics:Operations

More Operations

Handshake graphic featuring BBL Fleet and Velcor Leasing Corporation logos announcing BBL Fleet’s acquisition of Velcor to expand fleet management services nationwide.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMay 8, 2026

BBL Fleet Acquires Velcor Leasing Corporation

BBL Fleet expanded its footprint in the fleet management industry with the acquisition of Velcor Leasing Corporation of Madison through a stock purchase agreement finalized Feb. 27, 2026.

Read More →
Graphic reading “What’s New From Lytx at Protect 2026?” over a blue digital network background highlighting Lytx fleet technology and AI-powered safety solutions.
Operationsby News/Media ReleaseMay 6, 2026

Lytx Introduces New AI Fleet Technologies at Protect 2026

The company introduced new AI-driven fleet safety and operations technologies during its annual user conference.

Read More →
Cover image for the “5th Annual Market Pulse Report” by Element titled “Navigating fleet management in 2026: Data and insights shaping the future of fleet and mobility.” The design features an aerial view of a cable-stayed bridge with vehicles traveling on a highway beside a dense green forest. A teal graphic panel overlays the lower portion of the image, with the Element logo and tagline “Intelligence in motion” at the bottom.
SponsoredMay 6, 2026

Fleet Costs Are Rising: Here’s How Leaders Are Responding

Fleet leaders are under pressure to reduce costs, adapt to economic uncertainty, and make smarter decisions. See how peers across North America are responding with real data, proven strategies, and forward-looking insights. Download the 2026 Market Pulse Report to benchmark your strategy and uncover where you can gain an edge.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue Automotive Fleet graphic representing the weekly AF News Recap series.
Operationsby Faith HowellMay 4, 2026

From Waffle House to AI: Fleet Trends You Need to Know

In this AF news recap, host Faith Howell covers how Waffle House stepped up during disaster response and new AI tech on the market.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Fleet Operations in the Age of AI: Navigating Ethical and Legal Challenges

AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Factory Installed vs. Aftermarket: Choosing the Right Telematics Path & Managing the Data

As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
OperationsApril 30, 2026

What Real-Time Data Reveals About EV Cost, Performance, and Scalability

Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Planning Through Policy Shifts: What Fleets Must Track in 2026

A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Managing Market Turbulence with Strategic Fleet Insights

This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Clipboards with flooded cars in background.
Disaster Responseby Chris BrownApril 30, 2026

Adapting Fleet Policy When Disasters Strike

In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?

Read More →