Aaron’s Note: Today, Patrick Connor offers us an up-close look at the Baker Truck Corral’s electric plug-in stations for drivers.  All photos courtesy of Patrick.

by Patrick Connor

The Baker Truck Corral is located along one of the primary arteries for moving goods from the shipping lanes of the Columbia River and Portland to Salt Lake City and beyond. Located just off I-84 in eastern Oregon the Corral prides themselves on offering “good ol’ fashioned” hospitality. The newest addition to their hospitality promises to save truckers fuel and money, while reducing emissions.

The Baker Truck Corral is the first of 50 truck stops across the country that will add plug-in stations to power in cab amenities for truckers. Local dignitaries attended the truck stop electrification project ribbon cutting on Aug.12th.

Shorepower Technologies Plug-in Station (click to enlarge)

When truckers stop for the night, they often use the cab of their tractor as their hotel room. With truck stop electrification, after the day’s miles have rolled by drivers can pull up to a pedestal, connect, and enjoy heating, air conditioning, cable televisions, wireless Internet, or just a quiet night’s sleep without the noise, air pollution, or fuel cost of running the engine.

Traditionally cab amenities have been powered by the truck’s engine. This meant to stay warm or cool at night, the engine had to idle. An idling truck can burn a gallon to a gallon and a half of diesel per hour.

Truck driver and his extension cord

Now, rather than idling, drivers can plug in and save fuel. The electricity costs $1 per hour and drivers can use an automated kiosk to pay by credit card. They can also activate the system using a smart-phone, computer, or a conventional telephone. This system can save an average driver $4000 per year in fuel costs. It also reduces wear on the engine, reducing repair costs.

Thirty-five states already have some restriction on truck idling. Starting Jan. 1, 2012, Oregon will forbid idling a truck more than five minutes an hour on property open to the public (with certain exceptions).

Peterbilt with an external receptacle

New trucks are coming with electrification receptacles included. Vehicles currently on the road can be add third party electrification kits starting at $200. These kits include an external receptacle, wiring, extension cord, and an AC heater. There are rebates from the Department of Energy to offset the cost to the truck owners through Cascade Sierra Solutions.

An additional benefit to using standard AC power is that drivers can now buy standard devices rather than specialty items. For example they can buy the same $50 microwave you might buy for your home rather than a $300 unit that can run on 12V DC.

Row of Truck Electrification Stations

Jeff Kim, president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shorepower Technologies said “Drivers and fleets save money and get improved working conditions, truck stops generate a new source of revenues, and the general public gets cleaner air and less noise.”

“AC-power is used in all modes of transportation for engine-off idle reduction from RVs, to boats and yachts, to aircraft,” said Alan Bates, Vice President of Marketing at Shorepower Technologies. “One day we’ll ask, why did it take the trucking industry so long?”

Related posts:

1. Baker Truck Corral (Oregon) Adds Electrified Parking
2. Methanol Fuel Cell