Are There Alternatives for APUs?
If your fleet already has APUs, you might wonder, “Why would I need to look for another solution?” The truth is, while APUs are effective, their weight and hefty price tag make them less effective for some fleets.
Let’s explore why Idle Smart is worth your consideration, even if you already have APUs.
So, Why Not Just Stick with an APU?
It’s a valid question… APUs do reduce idling. But both deisel and electric APUs have drawbacks:
- Weight: While APUs are designed to provide power without idling the engine, diesel APUs still consume fuel. In fact, many diesel APUs can be costly to run over time when factoring in the wear-and-tear on the diesel APU. Electric APUs don’t use fuel, but some fleets note that their added 400+ pounds to the truck frame reduce fuel efficiency, making the overall fuel savings “negligable” by some cusomer accounts.
- High Upfront Costs: APUs can be expensive to purchase ranging from $10,000-$15,000 per unit, and that’s before considering installation time, downtime, and maintenance costs. Most fleets don’t see the ROI for well over a year.
- Reduced Maintenance a: Diesel APUs incur their own wear and tear, requiring regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. Some fleets see maintenance costs upward of $1,000/year for each unit.
- Long Installation: APUs are notoriously challenging to install and often results in 1-2 days of downtime if they’re not installed right off the line. Our customers have reported it taking at least 8 hours and two technicians to install a single APU.
If your fleet experiences repeated frustrations with any of these, or even if you’re simply looking to improve your performance, Idle Smart could seriously improve your fleet’s efficiency.
How Idle Smart Works: The Smarter Alternative For Idle Management
Idle Smart delivers the same level of comfort you’d expect from an APU with none of the maintenance and at a fraction of the weight. Plus, fleets get a few additional benefits that make running large fleets much easier.
The system works by automatically starting and stopping the engine to maintain cabin temperatures over drivers’ rest periods. Perhaps the greatest benefit of Idle Smart is that it operates when the key is off our out of the ignition, which means the system automatically optimizes fuel use and keeps the cabin comfortable all night long withough drivers having to do a thing.
Oh, and those additional benefits? The system also monitors battery voltage and the coolant temp, automatically starting the truck before batteries get too low or fuel is at risk of gelling. This is automatically active when the key is off our out, which means you won’t have to send someone out to the yard at 3 a.m. to crank engines to prevent cold starts anymore.
Not only are your trucks protected, but all your fleet’s data, from idle times to driver performance, is tracked in a convenient online dashboard that is highly customizable for your fleet. Regardless of if you have 100 regional trucks or thousands of trucks across the continent, your fleet’s data is displayed in the SmartPortal so you know exactly how you’re doing. Here, you can easily drill down on important data to find coaching opportunities, inefficiencies, and top performers. Check it out here:
Why Should Your Fleet Should Consider Idle Smart?
- Lightweight: Idle Smart intelligently starts and stops the main engine as needed, optimizing fuel use in real time and weighing less than five pounds, drastically reducing your fuel consumption over the long term.
- Affordable AF: One of the biggest advantages of Idle Smart over APUs is the cost. Idle Smart is significantly more affordable per truck, costing just $1,100 to get started. Many fleets see ROI after just a few months. This huge savings allows you to allocate more resources toward whatever your fleet needs most.
- No Maintenance: Seriously. Idle Smart is completely maintenance-free, so you don’t have to worry about service intervals or downtime for maintenance. All updates are made over-the-air, so your fleet continuously gets the best experience without pulling trucks off the road. Sit back and watch the maintenance savings rack up.
- Painless Installation: Installing Idle Smart is quick and easy. With one technician typically able to install a unit in under two hours, it’s a much quicker process and keps trucks on the road longer.
- Unmatched Customer Support: Idle Smart is known for its world-class customer support. From Dedicated Customer Success Managers, driver resources, and ongoing installation help to adoption support and 1-1 guidance for technians, your entire team has resources dedicated to ensuring you get the best results month after month.
But Wait – Either/Or Isn’t Your Only Option
The good news is that Idle Smart works seamlessly Electric APUs, so you don’t have to abandon your eAPUs unless you want to. When you pair the two solutions together, the eAPU is first in line to manage idling, but should the batteries die, Idle Smart will take over and ensure your drivers are never without heating and cooling.
The system will turn on the engine to recharge the eAPU batteries. Plus, with Idle Smart’s added protection, your fleet is protected against battery drain and fuel gelling.
Ready To Get Started?
Whether you’re in the market for new technology or simply seeking to reduce no-starts, Idle Smart is a great addition to any Class 7 or 8 fleet.
Even if your fleet already uses APUs, Idle Smart can enhance your operations by providing additional savings, no-start protection, and back-up APU battery support.
Want to talk to an expert about Idle Smart for your fleet?