Shorepower featured in showcase of idling-reduction solutions to save money, meet regulations
“As truck equipment advances to meet high-efficiency expectations, increased regulations demand more attention from fleet managers who already have their hands full meeting schedules and keeping trucks running. Idle regulations, for example, can be one of the most challenging regulations to keep up with, as they vary from city to city and state to state. On top of that, some regulations are based on emissions, like California Air Resources Board (CARB), while others are based on idling and the noise generated.
“We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of state and local anti-idling laws over the past 10 years,” said David Kiefer, director of marketing and product management, Carrier Transicold, truck/trailer/rail Americas. “Although most idling regulations restrict idling to three or five minutes, allowances range from 0 to 20 minutes in places that restrict idling. Penalties can be significant, so familiarity with local regulations is important.”
“Now add in the astronomical fuel cost due to excessive idling—discretionary idling for a typical fleet sleeper truck can consume as much as 3,000 gallons of diesel per year. It’s clear that outfitting your trucks with an idle-reduction solution can help minimize idle time, increase fuel efficiency and ensure your fleet meets idle regulations regardless of where they are.
“The Shorepower Truck Electrification Project (STEP) provides environmental benefits that come from not running the truck engine or even an APU engine. At around $1 per hour for electricity, it may also provide a cost savings in situations where drivers need to park for short rest breaks or overnight stops,” Carrier’s Kiefer said. “For refrigerated haulers, some STEP locations can help eliminate idling of refrigeration unit engines as well. Fleets looking to take advantage of these locations should consider refrigeration units that are equipped with electric standby capability. Carrier Transicold dealers offer a 67-ft. extension cable to make it easy for truckers to take advantage of STEP facilities with 460V plug-ins for hybrid refrigeration units, such as those from Carrier Transicold’s Vector platform.”