Auxiliary Power Unit Rebate

ProgramHeather Hildebrandt, NCDOT

Anne Galamb, NCDENR

What Is an APU?

• An APU is an Auxiliary Power Unit that provides power to the cab or accessories without requiring the main line engine to be run.

• For our purposes it was a device to provide in cabin comfort and included APUs, Fuel Fired Heaters, and AC Units.

APU

• Can be battery or fuel powered

• Provides power for heating and air conditioning as well as in cabin power to run TVs, computers, and other accessories.

Fuel Fired Heater

• Diesel powered devices that provide only in cabin heat

• Popular with truckers with northern routes

• Cheapest option

AC Unit

•Can be fuel or battery powered

• Provide in cabin air conditioning

Parts of a Long Haul Truck

↑Sleeper Berth

Why do truckers idle?

• Warm the engine fluids

• Mandated rest period

• Run AC/Heat/hotel load

• Keep cargo cool

Why do long haul truckers want an APU?

• NC legislation

• Other state requirements for APUs

• Saves fuel money / Rapid payback

• More comfortable, quieter

Why do they have trouble buying them?

• Bad credit

• Lack of knowledge of the economic benefits of an APU

• Lack of up front cash

Why a Rebate Program?

• State Idle Reduction Legislation• Heavy-Duty Vehicles

• No more than 5 minutes per 60 minutes

• Many exemptions: driver safety, emergency vehicles, military vehicles

• In developing the legislation, it was determined that there was a need for assistance to owner operators to meet the 2011 exemption date on idling.

Idle Complaint Website

• www.ncair.org/motor/idle/complaint.shtml

• Purpose of legislation and idle complaint form is for education on the benefits of idle reduction

• No penalties associated with violating the rule

Long Haul Truck Stats

Miles per gallon 6

Miles per year 180,000

Gallons of diesel per year 32,727

Average fuel savings with APU 8%

Cost of Diesel fuel $2.80

APU / AC / Heater Costs- Payback

CostPayback (months)

New APU $11,000.00 20

Used APU $5,500.00 10

Battery AC $5,500.00 5Fuel-Fired Heater < $2,500.00 2

APU Rebate Program Highlights

• Program adapted from Florida DEP

• $2,500 (APU), $1,000 (heater), no more than 50% of cost

• Engines must be older than 2007

• Targeted owner operators

• Two week reservation of funds

• Limited to 6 per company

Outreach

• Partnerships with technology providers

• APU dealers

• Word of mouth (best)

Funding

• 2009 - stimulus funds (USEPA)

• 2010 – 2012, 2014 Diesel Emission Reduction Act (USEPA)

• 2013 - private consent decree

Annual Emission and Fuel Reductions

NOx PM2.5 CO2 Fuel

APU 1.007 0.024 43.8 8%

Fuel-Fired Heater

0.389 0.011 21.1 < 4%

Battery AC unit

0.397 0.011 22.2 < 4%

Overall Results

  # APU

# Heate

rs# Air Cond Funds

NOx (tons/yr

)PM2.5

(tons/yr)

Fuel Saved

(gal/yr)

2009 27 0 0 $67,500 27 1

106,43

4

2010 75 16 0 $223,361 82 2

326,05

0

2011 49 15 6 $168,688 58 2

266,28

8

2012 71 11 7 $223,268 79 2

314,78

2

2013 5 0 0 $12,500 5 0.1

19,710

2014 20 10 0 $121,062 24 1

97,840

Total 247 52 13$816,37

9 275 71,131,104

Questions?

• Heather Hildebrandt 919-707-0964 hjhildebrandt@ncdot.gov

• Anne Galamb 919-707-8423 anne.galamb@ncdenr.gov