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This page updated May 6, 2008. Starting January 1, 2008, sleeper berth vehicles will no longer be allowed to idle during periods of sleep and rest. Therefore, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has developed this webpage to provide drivers with information regarding various idle reduction technologies that are currently available.
* ARB is not responsible for any information, products, or services obtained from these websites or their respective organizations. Pursuant to state regulation, operators of diesel-fueled trucks, with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds, shall not idle for more than 5 minutes when stopped within California's borders. Currently, there is an exemption for sleeper berth trucks, which allows them to idle during periods of sleep and rest. However, starting JANUARY 1, 2008, this will change; all sleeper berth trucks, regardless of model year, will also be required to shutdown their engines after 5 minutes. As the 2008 regulatory deadline draws near, it will be necessary for many sleeper truck operators to select idle reduction equipment suitable for their cab comfort needs. To assist operators who may not be familiar with idle reduction technologies, ARB has developed this webpage to provide general information regarding various technologies that are currently available. All idle reduction alternatives presented here require some amount of out-of-pocket expense. However, it is expected that operators will recover their costs over time through fuel and maintenance savings. ARB estimates that cost recovery times will range between 8 months and 3 years, but actual recovery times will depend solely on the equipment selected and the amount of time spent at idle. In the spirit of air pollution prevention, ARB encourages the use of zero- and low-emissions technologies such as battery-powered systems, thermal energy storage systems, and truck-stop electrification systems. Selecting certain zero-emissions technologies may qualify you for financial incentives through California's Carl Moyer Program. Please visit the program webpage or contact your local air district for details.
Using advanced battery packs, Battery-Electric Auxiliary Power Systems provide heating, cooling, and electrical power to ancillary cab appliances. These systems are designed so that the primary engine charges the batteries during normal road operation. However, certain systems equipped with the capability to "plug in" also allow operators to use shore power to charge the battery and/or power the system. The battery packs require approximately 2-6 hours of charge time and can run the air conditioning system for up to 12 hours per full charge. The option to "plug in" is available at participating layover locations. Vehicle-Battery Systems, more commonly used in day cab applications, are less expensive altenatives that provide limited services. Currently, Vehicle-Battery Systems on the market offer either cab heating (e.g. the Heated Coolant Recirculation System) or cab cooling (e.g the Evaporative Cooling System), but not both. These systems can be paired with other devices to provide additional services. For example, pairing an Evaporative Cooling System with a Fuel-Fired Heater can provide a more complete climate control package. By installing on-board electrical hardware and an electrically-powered climate control system, drivers can "plug in" their vehicles and draw electricity directly from the power grid. The electricity can be used to provide cab heating and cab cooling, to power cab appliances, and to charge the vehicle's battery. Access to the grid is achieved through outlet pedestals installed at participating layover locations. For an hourly fee, providers may offer heating, cooling, television service, telephone service, and internet service through a duct that attaches to the vehicle through an adapter (one-time purchase) fitted into the vehicle's side window opening. Electrical outlets are also provided for powering ancillary cab appliances such as microwaves and televisions. Since direct heating and cooling are provided, vehicle operators can avoid the costs of purchasing and installing on-board electrical and climate control equipment. Service is available at participating layover locations. A Thermal Energy Storage System stores cooling energy from the vehicle's air conditioning system during normal road operation. The stored energy can be used to cool the cab at a later time when the engine is off. This system only provides cooling, but can be paired with a Fuel-Fired Heater for a more complete heating and cooling package. Diesel-Fueled Auxiliary Power Systems use small diesel engines to generate power for cab heating, cab cooling, and operating ancillary cab appliances. These units can also be used to heat the engine block in cold weather and recharge the vehicle's battery. Because of the engine's smaller size, operating a Diesel-Fueled Auxiliary Power System uses only a fraction of the fuel that would be used by idling the vehicle's primary engine Note: For trucks with 2007 and newer model year engines, additional requirements apply. Please see below for a list of Diesel-Fueled Auxiliary Power Systems approved for use on these vehicles. For trucks with 2006 and earlier model year engines, any California- or federally-certified Internal-Combustion Auxiliary Power System may be used. Fuel-Fired Heaters provide heat to the cab and the engine block, and use only a fraction of the fuel that would be used by idling the vehicle's primary engine. They can also be paired with other cooling technologies for a more complete heating and cooling package. Note: For trucks with 2007 and newer model year engines, additional requirements apply. Please see below for list of Fuel-Fired Heaters approved for use on these vehicles. Note: ARB does not endorse the purchase or use of products and/or services from any specific vendor/provider and makes no claims as to the effectiveness or operation of these products and services. Furthermore, determining the suitability of any specific cab comfort system and its legal use within California is the sole responsibility of the purchaser/operator. Please see ARB's Conditions of Use document for additional conditions pertaining to the use of ARB's website. Additional requirements apply to Diesel-Fueled Auxiliary Power Systems and Fuel-Fired Heaters operated on diesel-fueled trucks equipped with 2007 and newer model year engines. The requirements are as follows:
For a list of Diesel-Fueled Auxiliary Power Systems approved for use on trucks
equipped with 2007 and newer engines, please see below. For trucks with 2006 and earlier model year engines, any California- or federally-certified Internal-Combustion
Auxiliary Power System may be used.
For a list of Fuel-Fired Heaters approved for use on trucks equipped with 2007 and newer
engines, please see below. For trucks equipped with 2006 and earlier model year engines, any Fuel-Fired
Heater may be used.
Find the text of the idling regulation, fact sheets, and other useful information.
Find information regarding California's Carl Moyer Financial Incentives Program.
Find information on idle reduction technologies and the Environmental Protection Agency's Smartway Program. Please note
that ARB does not maintain this website and is not responsible for its content. Cascade Sierra Solutions is a non-profit organization established to help truckers finance and install fuel-saving and emissions-reducing devices on their trucks. Please note that Cascade Sierra Solutions is not affiliated with ARB, and ARB is not
responsible for any information, products, and/or services obtained through their website or their organization.
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