fuelpub.com |

News of the California Air Resources Board’s five-minute idling limit hit many fleets hard—particularly large ones—but the real test will come when temperatures reach triple digits and there is no other way to cool the cab.

Not that CARB patrols or the local CHiPs will be lurking behind every cactus with a stopwatch, but there is plenty of angst about how much fleets that are not yet compliant will pay. There may be disagreement about CARB’s approach on this law, but one thing is understood—this is just the beginning of a nationwide clamp-down on idling.

Since California’s law seems to be a future benchmark for other states, being “CARB-compliant” is becoming a key catchphrase in the industry. One way for fleets to put anti-idling concerns behind them is to install CARB-approved APUs. That can be costly for larger operations, but manufacturers say the ROI is well worth it.

POWER ALTERNATIVES

While “APUs” generally refer to auxiliary power units, perhaps a more accurate term is “alternative” power units, because of the varieties of the systems. Most of these are diesel engines with their own cooling/heating systems, generator or alternator system and air conditioning compressor, mounted to a frame rail.

As sleeper cabs have added more and more electronic components in recent years, APUs have become all the more important to keep drivers comfortable and supplied with as many “home” comforts as possible.

Regulations have forced APUs into the forefront recently, as federal laws now require 10 rest hours for every 11 driving hours. Providing cab power for those long off-hours is key, and it is increasingly up to the truck’s APU.

Of course, APUs can also save fleets money by reducing parts wear and fuel consumption, but it seems the threat of stiff fines is forcing many fleets to action. Facing hundreds of dollars for idling more than five minutes in California (with more states likely to follow), many are pushing towards a quick solution, and APU manufacturers are poised to fill the need.