eAPUs Got You Down?
Investing in electric Auxiliary Power Units (eAPUs) was a strategic choice, representing a capital expenditure of $15,000 or more per truck. Whether your fleet’s decision to purchase eAPUs was driven by the goal of enhancing driver comfort or meeting environmental standards, eAPUs are a lighter, less maintenance-heavy system than traditional diesel APUs.
However, many fleets are finding themselves wondering if the investment was really worth it. While they have delivered on some of their ‘sustainable, lower-maintenance’ promises, eAPUs still have some major hurdles that affect fleets’ day-to-day operations.
While you may be considering tearing them out altogether or looking at other options, this blog explores alternative paths to get the most ROI out of your existing eAPU investment.
The Investment: Why eAPUs Made Sense
Fleets made the initial investment in eAPUs as a way to solve the limitations of older technology, but the true cost extends beyond the $15,000+ price tag per unit. It also includes the time and labor required to install these machines across your entire fleet, and the downtime incurred by each truck and driver.
Traditional diesel APUs presented numerous operational headwinds that fleets actively sought to avoid:
- Weight and Complexity: Diesel units are incredibly heavy, adding to fuel costs and introducing complexity to the truck. They run using a smaller second engine, which requires regular maintenance and increases service labor and time.
- Maintenance Downtime: Diesel APUs required frequent servicing and maintenance, which meant pulling trucks off the road and interrupting revenue generation.
- Lifespan and Emissions: Diesel APUs last around 3 to 5 years and generate some, albeit fewer than idling, emissions. Fleets are moving away from their emissions and short life spans as the industry shifts toward electrification.
Electric APUs are the compelling modern successor. They are often lighter than diesel APUs, require much less attention from maintenance teams, and are promised to last 7 to 10 years—a significant boost to asset longevity.
Where They Fall Short
The eAPU solution was intended to deliver engine-off climate control throughout the mandatory rest period, yet for many fleets, the expectation of reliable performance has fallen short. The predictable vulnerability is the dedicated battery bank, a high-cost component that often dictates the longevity of the entire unit.
While they don’t generate emissions like diesel, in some ways, the batteries are the weakest link. In extremely hot and cold weather, they struggle to maintain cabin temps, often not lasting drivers through a full night’s rest due to overexertion.
- The Interrupted Driver Experience: eAPUs often only provide 4 to 6 hours of comfort in extreme weather, forcing the driver to wake up to manually start the truck. It’s a really annoying process for drivers. Any disruption of rest and comfort is a direct hit to driver retention and creates fatigue, which is a safety risk.
- Accelerated Asset Degradation: The repeated deep cycling and failure to maintain an optimal charge accelerate battery degradation. This means eAPUs that should be lasting 7-10 years are often lasting 3 to 5 years, leading to a massive, premature, and unscheduled replacement cost, effectively gutting your financial ROI.
- The Uptime Risk: A depleted eAPU battery can leave drivers stranded, or risks drawing power from the main truck batteries, potentially leading to a costly no-start situation in the morning.
You don’t have to have drivers idle your trucks or switch back to diesel APUs because you and your drivers are frustrated with your eAPUs; you don’t even have to rip them out. You can still maximize your eAPU investment with technology designed to manage and preserve the health of the batteries.
Strategic Optimization: Making Your E-APUs Deliver
Our goal is to help your existing eAPUs deliver on their promises of reliable comfort and extended life. Implementing an intelligent, complementary solution that optimizes your current equipment and fills the control gap left by the manufacturer can help your team realize some of the savings and benefits promised to you by eAPUs, so you can turn them from an underperforming investment to an outstanding one.
Unlocking the Full ROI of your eAPU
Idle Smart seamlessly integrates with your eAPUs, ensuring you get the full life and operational comfort you paid for:
- Guaranteed Comfort and Rest: While the eAPU runs, Idle Smart continuously monitors battery voltage. If the voltage gets too low, Idle Smart will automatically start the truck to recharge the eAPU’s batteries and ensure the driver gets continuous comfort during their entire rest period. Idle Smart works in the background, never needing drivers to lift a finger to protect their eAPUs.
- Asset Life Extension: By intelligently maintaining the optimal battery charge, the system slows the degradation process. This helps you push the eAPU’s expensive replacement date more toward its expected lifespan, preserving your capital investment and giving you the returns you projected when making the eAPU purchase decision.
- Flexibility for the Future: If you eventually decide to remove your eAPUs, the Idle Smart system on its own is a lightweight, maintenance-free solution for automatic idle management, engine protection, cabin comfort, and no-start prevention in any climate.
CEO Jeff Lynch discusses how Idle Smart works to support your electric APUs with FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson:
Addressing Technology Adoption Fears with a Low-Risk Solution
We understand that a prior frustrating experience with technology, like the unexpected shortcomings of eAPUs, can make purchasing another system intimidating. Idle Smart is purpose-built to make the risk as low as possible for your fleet:
- Maintenance-Free and Remote Control: The system is completely maintenance-free and allows for over-the-air (OTA) adjustments, meaning your maintenance team never needs to pull a truck into the shop to change settings.
- Low Financial Risk: Not only is Idle Smart a more affordable solution, but the savings stack up fast. Most fleets see their initial investment paid back in savings within two months, making it a much less risky investment than an APU.
- Lifetime Parts Warranty: We stand behind our product. If a part breaks or stops working, we will send subscription customers a new one free of charge.
- Unmatched Support: Our support team is unmatched in the industry. We are here for everyone—from drivers and technicians to executives—to ensure the solution works reliably when you need it. From installation guidance to Onboarding and Training assistance, our dedicated Customer Success Managers are eager to help your fleet succeed.
It’s Time to Win Back Your ROI
Your eAPU investment was a key step toward modernizing your fleet. Don’t let predictable battery failure continue to erode the financial and operational value of that choice. An intelligent, low-risk solution can help you rescue your assets and get the comfort, uptime, and longevity you paid for.
Protect your capital investment and guarantee driver comfort.