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Trucks Reduce Emissions by 83%

May 15, 2008 By 16 Comments
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truck fuel effiencyTruck stop electrification is boosting fuel efficiency and minimizing dependence on foreign oil from idling trucks

There are 1.3 million long-haul diesel trucks with sleeper cabs in the United States, with most drivers averaging over 100,000 miles annually. These trucks are highly affected by skyrocketing fuel prices and are dependent on foreign oil. As the value of the dollar diminishes, transportation costs are partly to blame.

Idling Trucks Waste Fuel

Truck drivers are required to rest for 10 hours for every 11 hours of driving. A large amount of fuel is consumed when drivers leave trucks idling to maintain comfort. 85% of the energy is wasted sleeper cabs are heated by an idling truck. It is even more inefficient to cool the sleeper cab, wasting 94% of the fuel’s energy.

Truck Stop Electrification

Truck stop electrification (TSE) reduces fuel use while maintaining comfort for the driver with a heating, cooling and ventilation unit that attaches to trucks through a flexible concentric hose. Electricity, internet, and television reception are also available.

The Benefits

An impressive 83% net emissions reduction is achieved after taking into account the electricity required to power these units. Because most electricity is generated using domestic energy supplies, energy dollars stay closer to home. Air quality is improved for communities near truck stops as fewer trucks idle. Trucking companies enjoy lower fuel costs and less wear and tear on engines. Driver comfort is increased by reducing the noise, pollution and vibration from the idling trucks, while offering more entertainment and communication options.

Now TSE manufacturers just need to figure out how to provide showers and fresh coffee through these units.

Related Posts on Alternative Fuels for Truck:

Fuel from Trash Will Power California Garbage Trucks

A Truck That Runs on Coffee Grounds

Chocolate Fuels Truck Across Sahara Desert

UPS Launches Small Zero Emissions Fleet

Photo Credit: IdleAire

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Filed Under: Air Quality, Alternative Fuels, Energy Efficiency, Health Tagged With: , , , , ,
About Sarah Lozanova

Sarah Lozanova is passionate about the new green economy and renewable energy. Her experience includes work with small-scale solar energy installations and utility-scale wind farms. She earned an MBA in sustainable management from the Presidio Graduate School and is a co-founder of Trees Across the Miles, an urban reforestation initiative. When she can escape the internet vortex, she enjoys playing in the forest, paddling down rivers, or twisting into yoga poses.

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  • Uncle B

    Steel wheel to steel rail, 400% more efficient! Coming soon to your area! Oil at $80.00 bbl, about to go up as fast as the dollar goes down, and dollar goes down due to bail outs, government spending! Solar Wind, Wave, Tidal Hydro, Geo-thermal Power for Electric Rail system in America The “Final Solution” to shrinking oil supplies, rising oil prices Asian competition for oil! We may learn the hard way but we will learn!

  • Uncle B

    Steel wheel to steel rail, 400% more efficient! Coming soon to your area! Oil at $80.00 bbl, about to go up as fast as the dollar goes down, and dollar goes down due to bail outs, government spending! Solar Wind, Wave, Tidal Hydro, Geo-thermal Power for Electric Rail system in America The “Final Solution” to shrinking oil supplies, rising oil prices Asian competition for oil! We may learn the hard way but we will learn!

  • http://www.factopo.com/index/siteIndex.html Factopo

    These sound like really environmentally friendly trucks. We could all go green and have all our transportation done by these trucks. If you want to know more you should see what’s up at factopo. Just google it.

  • http://www.factopo.com/index/siteIndex.html Factopo

    These sound like really environmentally friendly trucks. We could all go green and have all our transportation done by these trucks. If you want to know more you should see what’s up at http://www.factopo.com

  • http://www.factopo.com/index/siteIndex.html Factopo

    These sound like really environmentally friendly trucks. We could all go green and have all our transportation done by these trucks. If you want to know more you should see what’s up at factopo. Just google it.

  • http://www.factopo.com/index/siteIndex.html Factopo

    These sound like really environmentally friendly trucks. We could all go green and have all our transportation done by these trucks. If you want to know more you should see what’s up at http://www.factopo.com

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  • Chuck

    And unfortunately, IdleAire (the number one TSE company) is out of cash and has filed for bankruptcy protection while looking for a white knight.

  • Chuck

    And unfortunately, IdleAire (the number one TSE company) is out of cash and has filed for bankruptcy protection while looking for a white knight.

  • Churry Fox

    you might want to mention the source of this article! Where are the links?

  • Churry Fox

    you might want to mention the source of this article! Where are the links?

  • Joffan

    It is a great idea. It’s such a win-win that I’m sure truck drivers will seek out stops with electrification.

    Your closing remark (which I know was a throwaway) is interesting because it illustrates Jevon’s paradox – efficiency begets new ways to do more with the same. Which is great, in itself, but does tend to stymie efforts to look for energy reductions.

  • Joffan

    It is a great idea. It’s such a win-win that I’m sure truck drivers will seek out stops with electrification.

    Your closing remark (which I know was a throwaway) is interesting because it illustrates Jevon’s paradox – efficiency begets new ways to do more with the same. Which is great, in itself, but does tend to stymie efforts to look for energy reductions.

  • http://redgreenandblue.org Rod Adams

    What a great idea! It would also be great to install similar units at tourist areas that cater to bus traffic. As a frequent visitor to DC, I know of several parking lots where the drivers idle so they can run air conditioners in the sultry summertime while they are resting and their passengers are off on foot tours.

    That is technically illegal in DC, but some out of towner buses have never gotten the word or they choose to take the risk of a fine instead of allowing their buses to heat up.

  • http://redgreenandblue.org Rod Adams

    What a great idea! It would also be great to install similar units at tourist areas that cater to bus traffic. As a frequent visitor to DC, I know of several parking lots where the drivers idle so they can run air conditioners in the sultry summertime while they are resting and their passengers are off on foot tours.

    That is technically illegal in DC, but some out of towner buses have never gotten the word or they choose to take the risk of a fine instead of allowing their buses to heat up.

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