To reduce the health and environmental hazards of idling emissions, many states are implementing aggressive anti-idling regulations, which means vehicle fleets need to adapt quickly. However, more than just meeting the letter of the law, taking your fleet idle-free makes economic and employment sense too.
Reasons to consider an idle-free fleet?
Taking your fleet idle-free has many benefits, including cost savings, less pollution, happier employees and reduced engine wear, so even small changes in idling time can lead to noticeable benefits.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, eliminating personal vehicle idling would be equivalent to taking 5 million vehicles off the road. An idle-free system can fully replace or significantly reduce the need for generators or idling.
Meeting Customer Expectations for Sustainability
The public’s attitude is shifting as electric vehicles become more ubiquitous. Having electric trucks working in communities all over the country has created excitement, because the benefit of quiet, environmentally friendly power is easily understood by the communities where work is being performed.
Generally speaking, the public expects idle-free, zero emission vehicles are the way of the future. Companies and public utilities who embrace this switch have a clear marketing advantage over competitors.
Operator Safety
Idle-free vehicle fleets aren’t just for meeting regulations and sustainability, they’re also safer for vehicle operators. Idling traditional diesel work trucks and generators emit harmful exhaust gases and make a lot of noise.
With an idle-free vehicle, operators are more aware of what’s going on around them, allowing them to communicate clearly with each other and stay safer when working in busy traffic. Emission free vehicle fleets produce zero emissions, protecting operators from inhaling the buildup of exhaust on calm days and tight alleys.
Capture Anti-Idling Incentives and Avoid Fines
According to the U.S. Department of Energy idling emits an estimated 6 billion gallons of fuel into the air each year. Many states in the U.S. have idling laws that range anywhere from no idling to 15 minutes of idling.
Currently, 18 states have incentives for adopting idle reduction technologies, including grant funding and reduced interest rates. For example, the state of Ohio offers eligible fleets access to funding for the installation of pollution control devices, retrofits, and electrification of auxiliary power units.
Capabilities & Limitations
Battery technology and charging infrastructure are developing at different rates. Full li-ion trucks are now capable of executing the charge-recharge cycles electric vehicle fleets require, but nationwide charging infrastructure is inadequate at best. As such, full-electric solutions are limited in range and risk getting stranded if they use too much power at the worksite because there’s nowhere to charge.
A better way with Volta
Here’s where we come in.
In response to both the challenges and the opportunities created in the shift to no-idle fleets, Volta represents a hybrid, industrial-grade energy system with all the power you need to accomplish real work. With a Volta work truck power system you get exclusive access to the same lithium-ion technology that automakers have spent years and $ billions developing.
Meets Anti-Idling Regulations
Volta’s idle-free lithium ion systems are easy to use, quiet, and better for the environment. Our lithium ion powered work vehicles can run for a full day of work, allowing workers to get the job done before they need to recharge.
Low Maintenance
Emissions-free Volta power systems also have the benefit of requiring very little maintenance while decreasing the wear and tear of idling on the main engine.
Real, Scalable Power
Lithium Ion Volta power systems can scale to the power needs of your fleet, seamlessly merging with your current work vehicles or new work vehicles.
Enhanced Driver Experience
Emissions-free Volta powered work sites allow your team to stay comfortable no matter the work environment. The easy to use, reliable power keeps your crew productive and happy.
If you’ve considered lithium ion in the past…
It’s worth noting that if you’ve considered lithium ion alternatives in the past you were probably left feeling pretty unimpressed. Current drop-in lithium ion technology is “consumer grade” and thus isn’t designed to operate in the rigors of industrial environments. Unlike consumer applications, industrial vehicle fleets require specialized lithium ion systems, not just batteries.
A smooth transition
Our hybrid power system can scale to any needed use case.
Complete Volta System
Most trucks would benefit from our complete power system which includes a high-voltage alternator for charging while underway. The system is fully scalable with additional inverters and converters for special applications.
Hybridized Generator System
If you’re looking to retrofit a truck and want to keep your generator, consider a hybridized Volta system. Charging twice as fast as competitors, the Volta system offers reliable, secure power that can be scaled to your needs and can cut generator time by up to 75%.
Made to Scale
Using a scalable approach we are able to customize under-the-hood power generation to match charging needs and deliver any voltage through a system of DC converters and powerful, pure-sine AC/DC inverters. This allows for a seamless transition from a standard idle based work vehicle to a Volta powered work vehicle with no need for special infrastructure. To see just how seamless a transition it is take a look at how Oklahoma Gas & Electric’s transition to a Volta Power System has gone.
