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Idling Reduction Overview Terry LevinsonSenior Project Manager,Argonne National LaboratoryJuly 27, 2011

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About Clean Cities

Mission To advance the energy, economic, and environmental security of the United States by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that reduce the use of petroleum in the transportation sector

GoalReduce petroleum use by 2.5 billion gallons per year by 2020

• Replacement • Reduction• Elimination

Accomplishments• Displaced nearly 3 billion gallons of petroleum since 1993• Put more than 775,000 alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) on the road• Installed more than 6,600 alternative fueling stations

Redu

ce

Replace

Eliminate

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About Clean Cities

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Basics: What Kinds of Vehicles Idle?

Heavy-duty trucks, buses and motor coaches, light-duty vehicles (including passenger cars), marine vessels, locomotives, aircraft, and off-road equipment

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Trucks and Buses• To keep fuel and engine warm• For driver safety and comfort (including federally required overnight rest periods)• In queue in “creep mode”

Personal Vehicles• Picking up kids at school and activities• Waiting while someone runs into a store• Warming up in winter (especially with remote start)• At railroad and border crossings, at drive-throughs, at toll booths, and in traffic

Locomotives• To keep engine warm so that it starts (antifreeze not used in locomotives)• For “hotel load” (nonpropulsion needs, such as to keep the toilet water from freezing)• To keep battery charged• To maintain air pressure in the air brake system

Basics: Why Do Vehicles Idle?

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All truck types may idle during the day. This represents a significant use of fuel.

Where? • Ports and terminals• Busy delivery sites• Border crossings• Restaurants (while drivers eat) • Tourist destinations (tour buses)• Pickup and drop-off areas at airports

What can be done? • Idling reduction devices can be used• These do not enable slow movement in queue (“creep mode”).• Hybrid vehicles can “creep” with the engine off• Schedule adjustments can reduce idling.

Basics: Workday Idling

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• Cost of fuel (for which driver gets 0 mpg)

• Consumption of a nonrenewable resource

• Emissions/air quality

• Noise

• Engine wear and additional maintenance costs

• Illegal in some states and municipalities

Basics: Why Is Idling a Problem?

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Idling and petroleum use• Idling consumes more than 6 billion gallons/year (>$20 billion)• Idling accounts for ~8% of truck fuel consumption• Idling consumes about 4% of U.S. oil imports

Idling and Emissions• 140,000 tons nitrogen oxides (NOx), 2,400 tons carbon monoxide (CO), and 7.6

million tons CO2 annually from trucks idling overnight alone • Highest emissions often near densely populated areas or sensitive populations

Idling and engine wear• Reduces mileage to overhaul• Increases maintenance costs

Basics: Petroleum Use, Emissions, and Engine Wear

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Basics: Idling May Be Against the Law

Common exemptions:– Armored

vehicles– Emergency

vehicles– Power take-off– Snow removal– Temperature

Idling laws vary in their application:– Diesel fuel– Gasoline fuel– Classes 1-8– Time limits

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Benefits: Idling Reduction Is the Low-Hanging Fruit of Fuel Economy

It pays for itself in 3 years or less!

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All reduce fuel use and emissions

• Automatic engine stop-start controls• Auxiliary power units (APUs) and

similar devices, such as auxiliary batteries/power cells to run vehicle electronics

• Cab and block heaters• Air-conditioners (battery or thermal

storage)

Availability: On-Board Idling Reduction Options

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Availability: Wayside Idling Reduction Options

Single-system electrification• Hookup, via a window adaptor,

provides heating, cooling, and amenities such as TV (no on-board equipment required)

Dual-system electrification(shore power)• Power connection allows driver

to plug in on-board equipment, such as heater, A/C, computer, and appliances such as microwaves

Truck stop electrification sites can be found at http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/tse_listings.php

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Availability: Options for Light-Duty Vehicles

• Education about driving practices to reduce unnecessary idling

• Air and coolant heaters• Coolant circulation

– Supplies heat from the warm engine to passenger compartment for several hours

• Small fan- Blows hot air out of car- Can be powered by

photovoltaic panel on roof - 57-W fan available as

option on the Toyota Prius

• Use of hybrid vehicles- Turns engine off at stops- Solves creep idle problem

- Additional power may be required for operation of HVAC or electronics in engine-off mode

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Aside from your friendly banker, there are many state and national programs that offer grants and loans for idling reduction equipment. Check your eligibility and get help, if necessary, preparing the paperwork.

• National grants, loans, and rebates– EPA SmartWay Finance Program – Manufacturer rebates and loans– Nonprofit organizations (e.g., Cascade Sierra Solutions and Climate Trust)

• State grants and loans (including programs targeted to small businesses)—examples include:

– State Clean Diesel Grant Programs– California Air Resources Board – Climate Trust – Efficiency Maine – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – North Central Texas Council of Governments – Pennsylvania Small Business Advantage Grant Program

Implementation: How Can We Implement—and Afford—IR?

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For More Information

• Lists solicitations for funding and awards• Alerts readers to changes in regulations and enforcement• Provides links to idling cost calculators• Describes new programs and recognitions of excellence• Lists upcoming meetings and events

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/resources/fcvt_national_idling.html

Please don’t idle unnecessarily!

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For More Information

AFDC’s Idling Reduction Pagewww.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/idle_reduction.html

Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC)www.afdc.energy.gov

Clean Citieswww.cleancities.energy.gov

Clean Cities Coordinator Contact Information and Coalition

www.afdc.energy.gov/cleancities/progs/coordinators.php

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For More Information

Contact:

Terry M. LevinsonSenior Project ManagerArgonne National Laboratory955 L'Enfant Plaza North, Suite 6000Washington, DC  20024(202) 488-2472 voice(202) 595-4641 BlackBerrytlevinson@anl.govhttp://www.transportation.anl.gov