U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Vehicle Technologies Office – Advanced Vehicle Testing
Activity Photo courtesy of Next Generation Power Long-haul
trucks idling overnight consume more than 838 million gallons of
fuel each year. So why do truckers keep their engines idling
when they're not in motion? Idling engines heat and cool the
cabin, generate electricity for amenities, operate a generator,
and eliminate the difficulty of starting a cold engine.
Alternatives to idling that do not involve using a truck's high-
horsepower, high-torque engine to produce power for overnight
needs could save a significant amount of fuel, reduce emissions,
and cut operating costs. The Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity
(AVTA) team is investigating current technology alternatives to
engine idling. See the Heavy-Duty Truck Idle Reduction
Technology Demonstrations (PDF 244 KB). Download Adobe Reader.