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Idling Reduction:
Alternatives
EPA's list of idle reduction technologies contains detailed information about currently available idle reduction technologies. Note, the inclusion of company names and descriptions of their products is not an endorsement of the product, nor a certification or verification of the technology, and is intended for informational purposes only.
If you would like to list your company’s product on this web site list please complete the following form.
What are the alternatives to long duration idling?
There are many alternatives to engine idling and they range from no cost to several thousand dollars. Much depends on the extent of the idling problem and the ability to convince the truck or locomotive operator to adopt the alternative. The alternatives can be divided into three broad categories:
Behavioral Change
Behavioral change is the simplest route. You simply stop unnecessary idling. Education and driver incentives play an important role in behavioral change. Informing the driver or operator about the fuel consumption, emissions, and the potential health risks plays an important part in changing behavior. Another powerful tool in changing driver behavior is offering financial incentives to reduce idling. Many large trucking companies already offer these incentives and they have reported success in reducing idling times below national averages. Simply instituting a company policy to not idle has not proven effective in changing behavior and no company policy is going to deter a driver or operator from idling in extreme weather conditions. Education and incentives provide a partial solution to deter idling. Often, the need for climate control requires implementing an idle reduction technology.
Technology Based
For technology based alternatives, the list is further sub-divided into four categories:
- Automatic engine shut down/start up (truck and locomotive)
An automatic engine shut down/start up system controls the engine start and stop based on a set time period or ambient temperature, and other parameters (e.g., battery charge). The application for ambient temperature addresses the issue of cab comfort. For example, a driver can set the system to turn on the engine and heat when the outside temperature reaches 65° F. For trucks, these devices are available from some of the engine manufacturers and cost between $900 - $1,200. For locomotives, one company manufactures such a product, though it is best used to control locomotive idling in warmer climates where the need to idle is discretionary. Estimated cost: $7,000 - $15,000.
- Direct Fired Heater (truck only)
These are small, lightweight devices that provide heat only. They cost about $1,000 and are available at the engine manufacturer level.
- Diesel Driven Heating System (locomotive only)
Designed to heat the coolant and oil to allow for main engine shutdown in cold temperatures, the system does not use a generator to produce auxiliary power. Instead, it circulates and heats the engine coolant and oil to a target temperature of 120° F. Estimated cost: $35,000.
- Auxiliary Power Units/Generator Sets (truck and locomotive)
These are small, diesel-powered engines (5 to 10 horsepower) that are installed on the truck to provide air conditioning, heat, and electrical power to run appliances.
- Electrification
Electrification refers to a technology that harnesses an electrical system to provide the truck or locomotive operator with climate control and other needs, eliminating the need to idle the main engine. It can be a stand-alone system or it can include a combined on-board and off-board system. Estimated costs: $7,000 - $15,000 per space (truck), $4,000 - $14,000 per space (locomotive).
On October 27, 2003, EPA and the Department of Transportation held the first national workshop
on developing consistent truck stop electrification codes and electrical standards. Following
this workshop, EPA published a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) in the Federal Register
requesting comments and suggestions which would be used to better develop a national consensus.
Truck Stop Electrification Codes and Electrical Standards; Notice of Data Availability
(PDF, 13 pages, 157K) (EPA420-R-05-002, January 2005) and related materials are available in
the Federal Docket Management System.
(NOTE: To access the docket from this link, select Advanced Search, then Docket Search,
and then enter EPA-HQ-OAR-2003-0226 as the Docket ID.)
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