2  EPA standards for fuel economy and harmful emissions  Health and environmental effects of hydrocarbon fuel combustion  Idle reduction  Immediate savings after implementation  Reduced consumption of foreign oil Introduction

3 Lesson 1: Introduction to Idle Reduction

4 Objectives  Describe what idle reduction is  Explain the basic history of idle reduction strategies and technologies  Describe how implementing idle reduction strategies will benefit health and the environment  Explain the economic benefits associated with idle reduction  Describe what energy security is and how idle reduction affects it

5  Petroleum and emissions reduction technologies and strategies  Idle = speed at which ICEs rotate under no throttle or load  Tachometer displays engine speed (600- 1,000 rpm)  Smooth engine operation during acceleration from stop and adequate oil pressure Definition of Idle Reduction

6  Transportation and convenience idling  Technologies, policies, strategies 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.

7 Did You Know? Idling a vehicle may allow for the comforts of heat or A/C and the operation of accessories such as radios or other multimedia, but when your vehicle is idling, your fuel economy when not in motion is 0 mpg.

8  ICEs in use since the early 20 th century  Old = mechanical carburetors/fuel pumping systems  New = electronic throttle, high pressure fuel system, electronic fuel injection  Idling vehicles produce no propulsion but still consume fuel and produce emissions Basic History of Idle Reduction

9  Pre-heating, pre-cooling for comfort  Idling while waiting for traffic, etc.  Load from accessories  Long-haul trucks may idle up to 300 nights a year  Non-driving time requirements

10 Policies for Idle Reduction  U.S. EPA emissions and CAFE fuel economy standards  More attention is being paid to emissions produced from idling  Federal tax exemptions for heavy-duty trucks  New vehicles and aftermarket products  Clean Cities program, SmartWay Transportation, Clean School Bus USA partnership, and others

11 Figure 2: States that have policies or incentives to implement idle reduction technologies. Source: AFDC.

12  State enacted policies and idle limitations  Local and city government regulations  School bus emissions at idle  Amount of fuel used per idle time  Reduced idling = immediate fuel savings Figure 3: School bus at idle, consuming fuel and producing emissions. Source: EPA.

13 Did You Know? Idling a car for one hour consumes about one gallon of fuel. Source:

14  Cleaner, healthier planet  Improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions  Innovative technologies, specialized technicians  Technologies and strategies implemented by both manufacturers and consumers Idle Reduction Today

15 Consumer Idle Reduction Strategies  Any reduction in idle time can save fuel and reduce emissions  Idling during in-city driving  Avoiding congested areas  Limit idle time for convenience  Immediate fuel savings

16 Manufacturer Idle Reduction  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 Figure 4: Driver in a long haul truck utilizing a type of TSE. Source: IdleAir.

17 Did You Know? Truck idling uses approximately 3 billion gallons of fuel per year Approximately 1 billion gallons for overnight idling Roughly 2 billion gallons for workday idling Every hour a truck idles unnecessarily is equivalent to about 8 to 10 miles of on-road driving. Source: Argonne National Laboratory.

18  Personal and environmental health  Financial and fuel economy improvements  Technologies manufacturing and service  Implementation by both consumers and fleets  Immediate reductions in fuel consumption and emissions Why Consider Idle Reduction?

19 Advantages of Idle Reduction  Reduced fuel consumption  Fewer vehicle emissions  Lower operating costs  Increased engine life  No-cost implementation

20 Additional Points to Consider  Possible capital investment  Personal convenience may be compromised

21  Health and environmental benefits  Reduced fuel costs - economics  Reduced dependence on foreign oil – energy security Benefits of Idle Reduction

22  Combustion of fuels produces harmful emissions  Creation of PM  Respiratory and cardiovascular complications  Idle reduction reduces vehicle emissions Health Benefits

23  Emissions negatively affect the environment  GHG formation, climate change  Idle reduction = reduced emissions Environmental Benefits

24  Excessive idling = unnecessary financial loss  Industry opportunity for implementation of idle reduction technologies  Reduced consumption = financial benefit for all drivers Economic Benefits

25  Reduced idling = reduced fuel consumption  Reduced fuel consumption = reduced reliance on foreign oil  Nearly half of all petroleum used in the U.S. is imported Energy Security Benefits

26 Upon completing this lesson, can you:  Describe what idle reduction is?  Explain the basic history of idle reduction strategies and technologies?  Describe how implementing idle reduction strategies will benefit health and the environment?  Explain the economic benefits associated with idle reduction?  Describe what energy security is and how idle reduction affects it?

27 1.True or False: Engine speeds of idling engines under no load are typically ,000 rotations per minute (rpm). 2. What does the acronym TSE stand for and how does it relate to idle reduction? 3. A passenger car that is idles for one hour consumes about ___ gallon(s) of fuel. 4.True or False: Vehicles that are idling while not moving have a fuel economy of 0 miles per gallon (MPG). Test Your Knowledge

28 Lesson 2: Idle Reduction Policies, Infrastructure, and Sustainability

29 Objectives  Describe federal, state, and local policies on idle reduction  Explain how both manufacturers and consumers can implement idle reduction strategies  Explain the need for distribution of knowledge and possible infrastructure changes to assist in idle reduction  Describe how idle reduction relates to sustainability and cost efficiency

30  Reduced allowable emissions from vehicles  CAFE fuel economy standards for passenger cars and trucks  New goals implemented by the Obama administration  Fuel economy gains of more than 5% per year Idle Reduction Policies

31 Figure 5: New standards for light-duty vehicles in order to meet 2016 compliance. Source: EPA.

32 Figure 6: Compression-ignition engine emissions limits. Source: EPA.

33 Testing Procedures  Pre-defined test cycles for light- and heavy- duty vehicles  Dynamometer vehicle testing  Fuel waste and emissions from overnight idling  New technology development  Strict standards and timelines

34 Figure 7: Test cycles for fuel economy and emissions of light-duty vehicles. Source: EPA.

35 Federal Idle Reduction Programs  Clean Cities program  Reduce petroleum consumption  Offers educational workshops, grants, program development assistance  SmartWay  Partnership between government and industry  Financing options for fuel-saving and emission reducing technologies

36 Clean School Bus USA  Partnership between EPA and private organizations  Reduce children’s exposure to school bus emissions  Limit school bus idling

37 For more information on Clean Cities initiatives in your area, visit: For more information on a SmartWay program, visit: To learn more about another DOE idle reduction project, visit:

38 State Programs  Individual regulations and incentives  Incentives often based on vehicle weight  Truck stop electrification (TSE) development  Maximum idling time per hour  Specific grant programs for idle reduction implementation

39 To learn about other states laws, visit And regulations-compendium/ regulations-compendium/.

40 Local  Maximum idle time in public places  Idle time may vary by location, proximity to certain businesses Figure 8: Idle-Free Tennessee Program. Source: East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition.

41  New technologies help light- duty manufacturers reach CAFE/EPA standards  Light- and medium-duty mild hybrid implementation  Heavy-duty idle timer use  Auxiliary power units (APUs) Manufacturer Implementation

42  Purchase of new technologies/vehicles  Understand how the vehicle operates  Minimum warm-up/cool-down times  Planning trips/avoiding traffic congestion Consumer Implementation

43  Distribution of Knowledge  Strategies are implemented on vehicles that are already in use  Easily adapted for advanced technology vehicles  Immediate fuel and emissions reductions Distribution and Infrastructure

44 Infrastructure  Some strategies requires no infrastructure development  Mild hybrid, HEV, EV production already in place  Heavy-duty sector development  APUs, TSE (possibility for up to 5,000 TSE sites)  Utilization of electricity over petroleum

45  Completely sustainable practices  Small changes can affect fuel consumption  Less dependence on foreign oil supplies  Remember overnight commercial truck idling consumes about 1 billion gallons a fuel a year Sustainability

46 Cost Efficiency  Immediate fuel savings  Strategies can be implemented at no cost  Technology investment may be offset by tax incentives and fuel savings The Future of Idle Reduction  Necessary part of achieving higher fuel economy ratings  Evolution from options to standard equipment

47 Upon completing this lesson, can you:  Describe federal, state, and local policies on idle reduction?  Explain how both manufacturers and consumers can implement idle reduction strategies?  Explain the need for distribution of knowledge and possible infrastructure changes to assist in idle reduction?  Describe how idle reduction relates to sustainability and cost efficiency?

48 1.True or False: The Clean Cities and SmartWay transportation programs are examples of federal programs that address benefits of idle reduction. 2. In West Virginia, a heavy-duty vehicle may not operate more than ________ minutes within a sixty minute period. 3. The EPA estimates that overnight idling of long- haul trucks consumes 1 (thousand, million, billion) gallons of fuel annually. 4.True or False: Additions in TSE could provide up to 64 electrified truck stops nationwide. Test Your Knowledge

49 Lesson 3: Idle Reduction Technologies and Strategies

50 Objectives  Explain some of the technologies and strategies that are utilized for idle reduction in the heavy-duty vehicle sector  Explain some of the technologies and strategies that are utilized for idle reduction in the light- and medium-duty vehicle sector  Describe the safety, performance, and maintenance of vehicles that utilize idle reduction technologies  Describe some of the vehicles available with idle reduction technologies already in place

51  Long-haul commercial freight carriers  Rest/driving requirements set by the U.S. DOT  Average truck idles more than 1,400 hours annually  Technology, strategy developments to reduce idle time Heavy-Duty Idle Reduction

52 Strategies  No up-front implementation cost  State-enforced anti-idling laws  Bus loading/unloading  Warm-up and cool-down procedures may require idle time

53 Technologies  Truck Stop Electrification (TSE)  Electrified parking spots at truck stops  Enable drivers to meet rest requirements without idling

54 To find an electrified truck stop in your region, the DOE hosts a site locator searchable by zip code. It can be found at

55 Technologies  Truck Stop Electrification (TSE)  Single-system vs. dual-system  Single-system offers heating, A/C, electricity, internet, cable  Unit is placed in passenger window  Offers connectivity and comfort features  Dual-system requires onboard equipment for each truck  Driver plugs truck in to the electrical outlet to power onboard equipment – known as “shore power”

56 Figure 9: Long-haul trucks using truck stop electrification. Source: EPA.

57 Technologies  Onboard Equipment  Powered by external electrical source or existing fuel system  Use is more efficient than allowing the engine to idle  Onboard Heating  Direct-fired = small furnaces  Consumes only a small amount of fuel per hour  Coolant heaters = heat transfer system  Can be used to heat cabin and warm engine in cold climates Figure 10: Direct-fired heater installed in a long haul truck. Source: DOT.

58 Technologies  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

59 Technologies  Auxiliary Power Units (APUs)  Small vehicle-mounted systems  Electrical generator powered by an internal combustion engine  Heat recapture from ICE  Powers accessories, HVAC  Rechargeable battery packs Figure 11: Auxiliary power unit attached behind the fuel tank of a long haul truck. Source: IdleAir.

60  Over 234 million light-duty vehicles registered in 2010  Implementation of idle reduction strategies can have drastic effects  Enormous potential for reduced fuel consumption Light- and Medium-Duty Idle Reduction

61 Strategies  Provide immediate fuel savings  Modern vehicle warm-up functions  Extended idling situations  Engine operation at higher speeds

62 Technologies  Research is being conducted  Advancements help reduce fuel consumption  Block Heaters  Use grid power to maintain engine temperature  Operate on standard 120VAC outlet  Reduces ‘necessary’ idle time

63  Mild Hybrids  Idle shutoff function  Small battery pack and motor/generator (MG)  Used only for short amounts of time  Reduce idle time by shutting ICE off  Other Idle Shutoff Technologies  Advanced engine technologies reduce amount of energy needed to restart engine  Conventional starters  Micro-hybrids

64  Similar if not the same as conventional vehicles  Regular scheduled maintenance  Same performance, reduced fuel consumption  Same safety systems as conventional vehicles Vehicle Maintenance, Performance, and Safety

65 Upon completing this lesson, can you:  Explain some of the technologies and strategies that are utilized for idle reduction in the heavy-duty vehicle sector?  Explain some of the technologies and strategies that are utilized for idle reduction in the light-duty vehicle sector?  Describe the safety, performance, and maintenance of vehicles that utilize idle reduction technologies?  Describe some of the vehicles available with idle reduction technologies already in place?

66 1.True or False: The only idle reduction option for light-duty consumers is to purchase new mild hybrid vehicles. 2. What does the acronym APU stand for? 3. _____________ heaters are like small furnaces that can be used to heat the cabs of long-haul trucks. 4.True or False: Commercial truckers are required to take minimum amounts of rest time from driving each day. Test Your Knowledge