Hybrid
Hybrid drivetrains are now available for heavy duty vehicles whose duty cycles involve a repeated stop-and-go pattern. The electric motor is more efficient than gas or diesel, and regenerative braking helps to capture energy when slowing the vehicle.
Hybrid heavy duty vehicles have been very successful in reducing costs and emissions for refuse trucks, pickup and delivery service, and utility trucks with ancillary equipment. What's more, they are quieter, often silent on standby, creating
safer work environments, especially for utility trucks.
Fuel
Savings
12,500 L/yr
(based on 50,000 L/yr)
GHG
Reductions
35 tonnes/yr
Estimated
Investment
$35,000+
(incremental cost)
Max.
Rebate
$7,000
(available to 10 companies)
Eligible
Equipment
Cab Heaters/Coolers
Typically, when drivers are in need of a rest they are forced to idle their 400 hp engine to maintain comfortable conditions in the cab. Diesel-fired cab heaters avoid this while using 8 to 10 times less fuel,
often while pre-heating the engine. The same fuel reductions can be experienced with battery operated air conditioners which use electric fans and cooling systems to cool the cab while the engine is off,
avoiding the need to idle. Running a 400 hp engine for extended periods leads to carbon build-up, blowby and oil degradation. To be eligible for the rebate, the cab heater needs to be installed in such a
way that the truck's heater core and fan (or an auxiliary heater core and fan) can be operated while the engine is off.
Fuel
Savings
5,300 L/yr
(in Canadian conditions)
GHG
Reductions
14 tonnes/yr
Estimated
Investment
Less than $2,000
Max.
Rebate
$400
(one per truck)
Eligible
Equipment
Auxiliary Power Units
Rather than idling a 400 hp engine just for lights or cab heat, auxiliary power units (APUs) provide all of the same conveniences without the wasted fuel costs. APUs are diesel-powered generator sets that produce 12 or 120 volt electricity for
cab conveniences, refrigeration units, heat for cab comfort and engine warming and sometimes other functions like air conditioning or running hydraulic pumps.
GHG
Reductions
13.5 tonnes/yr
Estimated
Investment
$6,000-8,500
Max.
Rebate
$1,500
(one per truck)
Eligible
Equipment
Gap Fairings
Between the truck's cab and the front of the trailer lies a gap that attracts turbulence and robs fuel economy. Gap fairings fill this space (aerodynamically or physically) making the vehicle more stable in crosswinds and therefore more fuel-efficient.
GHG
Reductions
2 tonnes/yr
Max.
Rebate
$300
(one per trailer)
Eligible
Equipment
Skirts
Trailer skirts reduce drag by keeping turbulence away from the undercarriage of a trailer thereby smoothing airflow around the trailer. They are available in a variety of configurations, including flat beds and sliding bogeys (moveable rear wheels).
GHG
Reductions
5 tonnes/yr
Estimated
Investment
$2,000 per pair
Max.
Rebate
$500
(one pair per rebate)
Eligible
Equipment
End Fairings
Trailer end fairings (also known as boat tails or base flaps) reduce drag up to 10% at highway speed. This technology re-shapes the rear of the trailer reducing the pocket of negative pressure behind the moving vehicle.
GHG
Reductions
4 tonnes/yr
Estimated
Investment
$2,000
Max.
Rebate
$400
(one per trailer)
Eligible
Equipment
Interested in a Hybrid Truck?
A $7,000 rebate is available to ten companies that purchase a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle. If you intend to purchase a hybrid vehicle, please
fill out this form and Adam will be in contact with you.
Fleet Analysis
A fleet analysis is a great way to get a baseline of where your fuel efficiency currently sits and to get third-party
recommendations before you begin the process of improving your fleet. E3 Fleet will conduct your review. Their philosophy
is "Without data a fleet doesn't know where it's been, where it's going or how to get there." What you get is an
easy-to-read custom report explaining your fleet's fuel consumption pointing out areas where you can improve.
The data helps you track your fleet over time and determine which trucks are consuming too much fuel, cost more than they
should for maintenance or aren't suited for their duty-cycle. This info helps you make better decisions about equipment,
scheduling replacements or identifying when driver behaviour might be inhibiting further efficiency.
Normally these reviews cost up to $2,000. With Trucks of Tomorrow, reviews are available to 10 small, 10 medium and 5 large
fleets on a first-come, first-served basis for a nominal fee of $200. Fill out this application and send it to Adam by
fax or mail (details on the form) to get in on this great opportunity.
Workshops
Find out how you can use fuel-efficiency to gain business and stay ahead of the competition, join AMTA and Climate Change Central at one of four workshops across the province this fall.
To register, call 403-517-2700
Grande Prairie- Thursday, Sept 9
Stanford Inn
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (before the AMTA meeting)
Calgary- Thursday, October 7
Blackfoot Inn
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (before the AMTA meeting)
Edmonton-Tuesday, October 12
Quality Inn West
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (before the AMTA meeting)
Lethbridge-Wednesday, October 20
Lethbridge Lodge
Time: TBA
Case Studies
There's a lot we can learn from the experience of others. Trucks of Tomorrow will provide the following:
Existing stories
We're currently interviewing two companies that have already adopted fuel-efficient technologies.
Check back soon!
Participant Experiences
We'll be asking some participants of Trucks of Tomorrow to share their experiences with new technologies and fleet analysis.
What if my VIN as more/fewer digits?
The system only accepts standard 17 digit VINs.
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