Apr 1, 2006 12:00 PM

Volvo Trucks North America has been chosen to participate in a demonstration of mobile idle reduction technology (MIRT) systems for heavy-duty trucks. These systems can reduce the amount of time trucks idle to provide power for cab heating or air-conditioning, thus reducing emissions and diesel fuel consumption.

The company will partner with the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in a two-and-a-half-year program financed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency through the SmartWay Transport Partnership.

As part of the program, Volvo will engineer a cost-effective installation prep kit for MIRT systems. The goal is to design a prep kit that will be installed by Volvo during truck assembly and is compatible with a number of different MIRTs. Volvo will also verify the MIRT connection to the truck's shore power system (electrical power provided through a temporary connection to an electrical main).

Volvo has agreed to install the prep kits in at least 20 trucks and to assist NCSU in obtaining data on operator and fleet usage of the MIRTs during the program. Volvo's proprietary Volvo Link two-way satellite communications system will be used for some of the data acquisition. The firm will also recruit customer fleets to participate in the program and encourage those fleets to join EPA's SmartWay program. Volvo and the other companies involved also are contributing financially to this program.