The EPA Wants Gas Cans That Flow Better

If you’ve bought a portable gas can at some point in the last two decades, you’ve probably found that it doesn’t necessarily pour as well as older cans from the past. The EPA had a hand in that, but now it’s trying to change things. It’s reaching out to manufacturers to ask them to make better, more usable gas cans that still meet environmental standards.

“Make Gas Cans Great Again by Improving Flow” was the cheery title the agency used to announce this new push. “Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued letters to portable fuel container (PFC) manufacturers encouraging them to add vents to gas cans to ensure safe and effective refueling,” reads the release. “This announcement comes in response to years of complaints about slow, frustrating fuel flow from modern gas cans.”

There is some feeling that the EPA caused this problem with the introduction of various gas can regulations over the years. However, the agency is adamant that gas cans don’t have to suck, and that good flow is still possible if manufacturers step up to the plate.

These ridiculous gas cans with “Safety spouts”…
byu/Pinchaser71 inmildlyinfuriating

Some have taken to modifying their post-2009 gas cans with vent kits to make them flow better. 

It all comes down to venting. In 2007, the EPA mandated that manufacturers of fuel containers had to reduce evaporative emissions by ensuring gas vapors weren’t freely vented to the atmosphere. This rule came into effect in 2009. The agency notes that the widespread interpretation from manufacturers was that any sort of venting was banned. Thus, gas cans were made without vents, which made pouring fuel difficult. Without a vent, there is no easy way for air to enter the can to take the place of the fuel flowing out.

However, the EPA rules never actually banned venting outright. In fact, the agency specifically allowed vents. The rules just required that these vents close automatically when the can isn’t being used. This would allow easy pouring while ensuring that the gas can would not vent to the atmosphere when not in use. “EPA’s evaporative emissions standards were designed to protect public health without compromising usability,” the agency notes. As stated in the EPA’s letter to manufacturers:

Since EPA’s evaporative emissions standards for PFCs went into effect in 2009, we have heard concerns from consumers, retailers, and elected officials about the performance of newer gas cans. One of the most common complaints is about slow fuel flow. Some of these concerns appear to stem from confusion about the intent and scope of EPA’s regulations. In reviewing the range of PFCs on the market today, EPA notes that only a small number include a separate vent to support smooth and fast delivery of fuel. Without a vent, PFCs must self-vent through the spout which we believe may explain consumer complaints related to slow dispensing of fuels from modern gas cans.

We further understand that some manufacturers may inaccurately believe that EPA’s 2009 evaporative emissions standards for PFCs preclude the use of vents. To be clear, EPA’s regulations do not prohibit the inclusion of vents in PFCs. The Agency’s rules explicitly allow vented containers, provided that the vents are designed to automatically close when not in use, without requiring any action from the user. For example, a manufacturer may have a push button operated vent with spring closure that will meet EPA’s evaporative standards and provide active venting to improve fuel flow when dispensing gasoline.