The North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC) at North Carolina State University (NCSU) has been awarded funding by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to work with a truck original equipment manufacturer(s) (Truck OEM) to develop and test the effectiveness of Truck OEM designed mobile idle reduction technology (MIRT) prep kits.
The overall project has three key objectives:
- Develop a low-cost Mobile Idle Reduction Technology (MIRT) prep-kit for new commercial vehicles which may serve as a flexible platform that is compatible with a number of different MIRTs;
- Characterize environmental benefits and cost savings to truck owners by determining actual idle reduction times and emissions from an idling baseline and post-installation analyses; and
- Maximize market acceptance of the prep-kit by working with partners to promote and educate industry about cost benefit analyses of MIRT prep-kits.
The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from Truck OEMs to partner with NCSU’s project team on achieving the above stated objectives. NCSU’s project team consists of the project manager from the NCSC, and faculty and graduate student(s) from NCSU’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering.
Reducing unnecessary truck idling can save fuel, reduce criteria pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, and save money. A typical long-haul combination truck that eliminates unnecessary idling could save up to 1,900-2,400 gallons of fuel each year. According to the U.S. EPA, saving this much fuel annually would remove 19 metric tons of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas), reduce NOx and PM emissions, save nearly $6,000 to $7,000 in fuel costs, and lower engine maintenance costs.
Idle Reduction Request for Proposals from OEMs
Press Release: NCSU Partners with Volvo on Mobile Idle Reduction Prep Kit Project
Press Release: Volvo to Showcase Idle Reduction Technology At Mid-America Truck Show
