Fuel Savings And Improved Air Quality Highlight Duke Energy's Truck-Stop Effort In N.C.
- Big Boy's Truck Stop in Johnston County to host electrification project
- Tennessee's IdleAir to complete installation before summer
Charlotte, NC /PRNewswire/ - More than 25,000 gallons of truck fuel is projected to be saved annually as part of a $300,000 Duke Energy project to fund electrification at a North Carolina truck stop.
Big Boy's Truck Stop, in the Johnston County town of Kenly, will soon have 24 truck electrification stations where drivers can pay to plug in and avoid idling engines. This will be an economical way to provide electricity and hot or cold air during overnight stays. Additionally, four plugs will provide standby power for refrigerated cargo to avoid the need to run diesel compressors.
"The economic and environmental aspects of the projects are terrific. It allows drivers to use technology to lower their own carbon footprint in the course of their daily work that benefits our environment," said Melisa Johns, Duke Energy's vice president, business development.
On an annual basis, the project should reduce carbon dioxide emissions by almost 500 tons and reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 2 tons.
IdleAir, located in Knoxville, Tenn., will install and maintain the stations. They are expected to complete installation before this summer.
"This is a common sense feature that helps truckers get a cleaner, quieter night's sleep, while saving them money and sparing the community from significant emissions," said Mark Miller, president of Convoy Solutions, provider of IdleAir.
Each year, more than 2 billion gallons of diesel are wasted by overnight idling, according to a study from Argonne National Labs. Idling is the industry standard method of providing overnight comfort to the more than 1 million drivers who sleep in their trucks each night.
The family-owned Big Boy's Truck Stop is located at 595 Bagley Road, Kenly, N.C. -- off I-95, exit 105.
"We're eager to attract new drivers, and give all guests an alternative to idling," said owner Walter Powell Jr. "This will help us be better neighbors in our community, which means a lot to our business."
The Duke Energy program was part of a 2015 settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and environmental groups.
About Duke Energy
Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.
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About Convoy Solutions d/b/a IdleAir
Based in East Tennessee, Convoy Solutions LLC, the proud provider of IdleAir, is a privately held company that provides a menu of choices – both services and products - for America's hard-working long-haul truck drivers. These solutions are alternatives to idling engines during rest periods that have both positive economic and environmental impacts to users, companies and the world we live in.
The IdleAir product and service allows truck drivers to turn off their diesel engines and APU's and still enjoy heating, cooling, standard electric inside and outside the cab, Satellite TV, Internet, and many of the comforts of home — all while saving money and getting better sleep without the noise, vibration, and exhaust fumes from idling.
Source: Duke Energy
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