Idle reduction

Idle reduction is type of automobile emissions control aimed at reducing the amount of energy wasted by an idling vehicle. When a vehicle's engine is not being used to move the vehicle, it can be shut off entirely—thereby conserving fuel and reducing emissions—while other functions like accessories and lighting are powered by an electrical source other than the alternator.

Idle reduction is particularly significant for vehicles in heavy traffic and trucks at truck stops. [http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/idle/] Many hybrid electric vehicles employ idle reduction to achieve better fuel economy in traffic. America's fleet of around 2 million long-haul trucks [http://www.idleaire.com/who_benefits/industry/] consumes over a billion gallons of diesel fuel per year. [http://www.epa.gov/smartway/idling.htm] Services such as IdleAire provide power at truck stops to resting truckers who would otherwise need to continue idling during mandatory breaks. There are other technologies [http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/idle_reduction_related.html] that can reduce the use of fuel to heat or cool the cab when the vehicle is traditionally idling overnight. These can be battery or fuel powered but in either case, use less fuel, do no harm to the vehicle's engine, and add far fewer or even no additional emissions [http://www.makealeap.org/node/119 (BCT system)] into the atmosphere.

External links

* [http://www.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/idle/ Idle reduction information] — U.S. Department of Energy / EERE
* [http://www.epa.gov/smartway/idling.htm Idle-Free Corridors] — United States Environmental Protection Agency
* [http://www.makealeap.org www.makealeap.org] — Lowering Emissions and particulates: an idle reduction educational site