Electrification Said to Cut Diesel Engine Emissions

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ASHINGTON — Using electrification to reduce truck idling times has shown good potential to cut diesel engine emissions, according to the findings of two studies presented at the Transportation Research Board meeting here Jan. 14.

Several states have laws limiting truck idling at rest stops and other places, in order to cut emissions.

Some alternatives to long-term idling include auxiliary power units, fuel cells and truck stop electrification, or TSE, said Jeffrey Kim, an engineer with Antares Engineers and Economists, based in Landover, Md.

“In most cases, the payback to truckers using [TSE] will be, on average, about 18 months,” said Kim, who presented his findings in a “Heavy-Duty Diesel Reductions” session at TRB’s meeting.

This article appears in the Jan. 19 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.