The Case for Idle Elimination

For over-the-road drivers, a comfortable bunk, a warm engine, and access to a computer or TV aren't luxuries; they are necessities that contribute directly to their comfort and safety.

Discretionary truck idling is the common solution for generating the energy required to meet these needs. But the price tag—in terms of higher costs, noise, and engine emissions—is steep, and getting steeper.

The Idle Free electric APU offers a flexible, cost-effective alternative to discretionary idling. It is a system designed to address the practical, on-the-road needs of over-the-road drivers and fleet operators—from keeping bunks livable in any climate to meeting more stringent environmental regulations.

Benefits of the Idle Free Electric APU

The Idle Free electric APU offers over-the-road drivers and fleet operators many benefits compared to both discretionary idling and other idle-elimination options, including diesel APUs and other electric APUs.

• Reduced diesel consumption by as much as 3,000 gallons per year.
• Reduced engine wear and tear and related maintenance costs.
• Compliance with all anti-idle and no idle laws as well as the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
• Complete, year-round idle elimination—absolutely no idling, not just reduced idling (like diesel APUs) or the elimination of idling for A/C only (like other electric APUs).
• Customized systems based on driving conditions, budget, and investment timeline.
• Easy installation (approximately eight hours compared to 16 hours for other systems) and zero annual maintenance costs.

The Idle Free electric APU works with any make or model of truck. It is also an EPA SmartWay-verified technology, which means it is one of the cleanest and most fuel-efficient available on the market.

Visit the Benefits page to learn more about the benefits of the Idle Free electric APU.

Systems and Configurations

The Idle Free electric APU is available in two system types: a battery-based system and a reefer-based system for drivers pulling a refrigerated trailer. The battery-based system captures energy produced by the engine's alternator and stores it in an independent AGM battery bank. The reefer-based system uses patented Reefer Link™ technology to make energy from the reefer unit available to the driver when the truck engine is off. In both cases, the Idle Free electric APU allows drivers to heat or cool the bunk as well as warm the engine or fuel tanks without idling. It also provides 120 volt AC electricity to meet their hotel needs.

The Idle Free electric APU includes a standard shore power outlet. This means over-the-road drivers have at least two alternatives to discretionary idling when truck stop electrification (TSE) services are available.

In addition, the system comes in three configurations: combined heat and A/C for year-round idle elimination in all climates; heat-only; and A/C-only. Drivers or fleet operators who choose to invest initially in a heat-only or A/C-only configuration can easily expand their system in the future as budgetary and/or driving conditions change.

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