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Objectives
 Explain how to implement green fleets
 Learn about incentives for utilizing idle
reduction technologies and strategies
 Learn about the availability and cost of
idle reduction technologies and strategies
 Identify the advantages of idle reduction
technologies and strategies
 Understand the performance of vehicles
with idle reduction technologies
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Greening of Fleets
 Why use green fleets?
 Reduce operating costs
 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
 Improve corporate image
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How to Implement Green Fleets
 Get buy-in
 Create long-term objectives
 Avoid setting reduction goals in absolute
numbers
 Anticipate obstacles
 Move slowly
 Improve vehicle use
 Track and report progress
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Idle Reduction in Fleets
 Petroleum and emissions reduction
strategy
 Idle = speed at which ICEs rotate
under no throttle or load
 Tachometer displays engine speed
 Smooth engine operation for vehicle
acceleration from stop and adequate
oil pressure
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 Transportation and convenience idling
 Technologies, policies, practices to
reduce engine idle time
 Strategies and technologies to reduce
both transportation and convenience
idling
Figure 1: The engine tachometer showing a vehicle’s idle speed. Source: NAFTC.
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Idle Reduction Strategies
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Any reduction in idle time = fuel savings
Avoid traffic by planning trips
Fleet guidelines to reduce idle time
Reductions = immediate savings
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Idle Reduction Technologies
 New technologies, improved fuel
economy and reduced emissions
 Light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle
fuel savings
 Idle shutoff functions, mild hybrid
technologies
 APUs for long haul trucks
 TSE implementation
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Incentives for using Idle
Reduction in Fleets
 Incentives
 Partnership initiatives and pooled resources
 Financial subsidiaries
 Informational tools
 Initial cost vs. federal and state incentives
 American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (ARRA)
 Clean Cities Program
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Tax Incentives
 Federal and state incentives for
alternative fuels and advanced technology
vehicles
 Implementation of idle reduction
equipment
 Funding and partnership opportunities
for idle reduction technologies
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For a list of qualifying tax exempt idle
reduction equipment, visit
http://www.epa.gov/smartway/techn
ology/excise-tax.htm.
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Federal Grant Funding
 Federal government = largest grant
provider
 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
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State Grant Funding
 State Energy Office (SEO)
 National Association of State Energy
Officials directory
 Alternative Fuels Data Center map
 To find state-specific information, visit
www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/state
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Idle Reduction Laws
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Generally limit the time a vehicle is idling
No idle zones
Schools
Individual rules for each city/area
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To search local idle restrictions, visit
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehi
cles/idle_reduction_laws.html.
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Idle Reduction Availability and Cost
 Light-Duty
 Block Heaters
 Utilize grid power to maintain engine
temperature
 Heavy-duty vehicles
 Reduce problems associated with cold starts
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Light- and Medium-Duty
 Mild Hybrids
 Idle shutoff function
 Utilizes small battery pack and MG
 Small amounts of energy
 Onboard energy storage
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Light-Duty
 New Idle Shutoff Technologies
 Reduced energy needed to restart engine
 One way clutch technology
 Micro-hybrid systems
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Heavy-Duty
 HOS requirements
 Average truck idles for more than 1,900
hours annually
 Truck idling consumes more than three
billion gallons of diesel annually
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Heavy-Duty
 Truck Stop Electrification (TSE)
 Electrified parking spots at truck stops
 Enable drivers to meet rest requirements
without idling
Figure 2: Long haul truck utilizing single system electrification. Source: IdleAir.
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To find an electrified truck stop in
your region, the DOE hosts a site
locator searchable by zip code. It
can be found by visiting
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/loca
tor/tse.
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Heavy-Duty
 Truck Stop Electrification (TSE)
 Single-system vs. dual-system
 Single-system offers HVAC, electricity,
internet, cable
 Unit is placed in passenger window
 Dual-system requires onboard
equipment
 Driver plugs truck into outlet to power
onboard equipment
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Heavy-Duty
 Onboard Equipment
 Powered by external electrical source or
existing fuel system
 More efficient than allowing the engine to
idle
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Heavy-Duty
 Onboard Heating
 Direct-fired = small furnaces
 Consume only a small amount of fuel per
hour
 Coolant heater = heat transfer system
 Can be used to heat cabin and warm engine
in cold climates
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Heavy-Duty
 Onboard Cooling
 Thermal storage, battery-electric air
conditioners
 Thermal storage: energy is stored during
normal operation, used at a later time to
cool cab
 Battery-electric air conditioners: powered by
onboard batteries that are charged at truck
stops
 Both produce zero local emissions
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Heavy-Duty
 Auxiliary Power Units
 Small vehicle-mounted systems
 Electrical generator powered by an internal
combustion engine
 Powers accessories, HVAC
 Heat recapture from ICE
 Rechargeable battery packs
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Strategies
 Determine appropriate warm-up time
 Know the equipment being utilized in
your vehicle
 Turn engine off
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Cost
 Tax benefits for hybrid vehicles
 Heavy-duty vehicle modification
incentives
 Fuel cost savings will help cover any initial
investment over time
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Idle Reduction Advantages
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Reduced fuel consumption
Fewer vehicle emissions
Lower operating costs
Increased engine life
No-cost implementation of strategies
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Things to Consider
 Possible capital investment
 Personal convenience may be
compromised
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Idle Reduction Performance
 Extended engine life
 Extended idling adds unnecessary
wear to engine components
 Fuel savings helps offset capital costs
 Exemptions for added weight from
APUs, etc.
 “Green” branding of fleets
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Performance Summary
• Better fuel economy, an idling vehicle
not in motion achieves 0 mpg
• Reduced emissions
• Similar performance to conventional
vehicles
• May lead to extended engine life
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Test Your Knowledge
1. True or False: There are idle reduction
strategies available for fleet managers that
require little to no cost to implement.
2. An average long-haul truck spends
over______ hours idling per year.
3. There are two types of idling. They are:
______________ and ______________.
4. True or False: States and cities are not
allowed to implement laws limiting the idling
time or location of idling vehicles.
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