Transport Partnership
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Energy &
Fuel Savings
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24OO Idling Hours
Gallons Saved
1440 gallons
CO2 Savings
14.6 Metric tons
Fuel Cost Savings
$5,472
76 oo Idling Hours
Gallons Saved
960 gallons
CO2 Savings
9.7 Metric tons
Fuel Cost Savings
Idle Reduction
A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies
Reducing unnecessary truck idling can save fuel, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, cut air pollution, and save money. A typical long-haul combination
truck that eliminates unnecessary idling could save over 9OO gallons of fuel
each year. Saving this much fuel annually would effectively remove 9 metric tons
of carbon dioxide, reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions, save
$3,6OO in fuel costs, and lower engine maintenance costs for the truck.
What is the challenge?
Many long-haul truck drivers idle their engines during rest periods to:
provide heat or air conditioning for the sleeper compartment
keep the engine warm during cold weather to avoid trouble with cold starts
generate electrical power for appliances
Studies by EPA and others suggest that long-haul combination trucks often idle overnight
between 5 and 8 hours per day, over 300 days per year. Typical combination trucks consume
about 0.8 gallons of diesel fuel during each hour of idling, using between 900 and 1,400 gal-
lons of fuel each year per truck.
Today's diesel engines do not need to idle for long periods of time before and after driving.
Using a heavy-duty truck engine to power cab amenities is inefficient. It consumes fuel un-
necessarily, increases fuel costs, and generates emissions that contribute to climate change
and air pollution. Unnecessary engine idling also contributes to engine wear, which increases
truck maintenance costs, and shortens engine life.
What is the solution?
Several technological options can assist drivers in reducing truck idling
Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) are mounted externally on the truck cab. An APU typi-
cally consists of a small combustion engine and generator combination that can provide
power to the truck when the main engine is shut off. Electricity from an APU can be used
to power heating, air conditioning, and electrical accessories for the cab and sleeper.
Automatic Engine Shutdown Systems start and stop the truck engine automatically to
maintain a specified cab temperature or to maintain minimum battery charge. Drivers
typically activate the system in the evening and program a desired temperature range.
Drivers can also program the system to shut down after a specified period of idling time.
Direct Fired Heaters are small, lightweight, and efficient fuel-fired devices mounted in the
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1 Truck fleets can exam-
ine engine-operating
records to determine the
percent of time spent
idling to determine
potential fuel and cost-
saving benefits.
"•••^^
2 Truck fleets can
determine the idle
reduction method that
best fits their fleets.
3 Truck fleets can
also check the avail-
ability of truck stop
electrification fa-
cilities along frequent
routes.
SmartWay Transport | EPA^t20-F09-038 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.go
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Idle Reduction
Energy &
Fuel Savings
600 Idling Hours
Gallons Saved
360 gallons
CO2 Savings
3.6 Metric tons
cab of a truck. The direct fired heater provides heat for driver comfort in the cab.
This technology does not include any air conditioning capabilities.
Truck Stop Electrification allows trucks to use electrical power from an external
source. At properly equipped locations, drivers can shut off the main truck engine
and plug into an electrical outlet that provides power for heaters, air conditioners,
marker lights, and other accessories. Trucks need to be equipped with the ap-
propriate internal wiring, inverter system, and HVAC system to take advantage of
truck stop electrification.
Advanced Truck Stop Electrification also provides electricity from an external
source, but doesn't require the truck to be equipped with special systems. Truck
parking bays are installed with equipment that provides the cab with electrical
power, heating, cooling, and other amenities like telecommunication hook ups,
through an external console that fits into the truck's window frame. The truck-side
console has temperature controls, an air supply and return pipe, a credit card
reader, keypad, and a 100-VoltAC outlet.
Fuel Cost Savings
$1,368
Savings and Benefits
The amount of idling varies widely among trucks by season, type of operation, and
driver practices. Atypical long-haul combination truck can idle between 1,600 and
2,400 hours per year, which would use about 900 and 1,400 gallons of fuel, respec-
tively. Saving fuel annually through idle reduction by installing an APU would remove
about 9 to 14 metric tons of carbon dioxide, reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate mat-
ter emissions, save between $3,600 and $5,500 in fuel costs, and lower engine main-
tenance costs. A short-haul truck can save 360 gallons per year, saving $1,300 when
using an idle reduction technology. Truck stop electrification can potentially eliminate
all engine idling. However, because the systems can be used only at stations outfitted
with appropriate equipment, not all the potential savings can be obtained immediately.
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SmartWay Transport | EPA-420-F09-038 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.go
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