Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/15908
Don’t endure another winter without idle-reduction equipment when there’s money to help you. BY TODD DILLS Billy Sams was able to cash in on hefty rebates from a Tennes- see program that covered almost half the cost of this and three other TriPac aux- iliary power units now part of his small fleet. this summer to outfi t part of its fi ve-truck over-the- road fl eet with idle-reduction technology. The bill was offset, though, by Tennessee’s “Idle Smart” rebate program, which offers state-based owner- operators and fl eets rebates of up to 50 percent of the cost. Sams Trucking received $4,000 back for each of the four TriPacs. Nancy Sams, whose husband, Billy, drives a S custom 300-inch 2001 Peterbilt 379 in their fl eet, says they had their sights on the TriPacs regardless of the rebate program. However, the “free money” helped them decide to take the plunge. “That’s a lot of money to spend at one time,” she says. Nancy reports their drivers “just love them. My husband said that if he had known it was going to be as nice as it is, he’d have put one on a long time ago.” A fully functional auxiliary power unit run by a diesel-fi red engine, with the ability to both cool and heat the cab as well as power in-cab electronics and other devices, according to the Overdrive Partners in Business manual, costs $6,000 to more than $11,000 installed. Battery-powered devices with similar functionality can come in between $4,000 and $11,000. Cab heaters can be had for $2,000 or 48 OVERDRIVE SEPTEMBER 2010 ams Trucking LLC of New Cazewell, Tenn., paid Knoxville Thermo King close to $10,000 for each of four TriPac APUs APU financial incentives less. Evaporative coolers (also referred to as “swamp coolers”) can be equally inexpensive if you’re cool- ing needs are occasional. APU payback scenarios in the Partners in Busi- ness manual show most devices can return the investment through fuel savings and reduced main- tenance (less wear and tear on the engine) in fewer than three years for the most expensive devices. A rebate or grant reduces the payback time further. In addition to the loan/grant/rebate programs listed below, many states have Small Busi- ness Assistance programs that include low-interest fi nancing for pollution-reducing equipment of all types, not just APUs. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers As- sociation (ooida.com, (816) 229-5791) has an APU- and cab heater-fi nancing program for members. Is your truck outfitted with a no-idle cab heater or full-function auxiliary power unit? Yes, a cab heater 14% No Yes, an APU 28% 58% eTrucker.com poll, 161 responses How much financial aid would it take to get you to buy an APU? More than $1,000 15% $501-$1,000 8% $201-$500 1% $100-$200 6% At least half the I already own an APU 16% I don’t have any interest in an APU 6% eTrucker.com poll, 143 responses APU’s cost 48% Todd Dills