Virginia Truck Center, with six locations throughout Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, has signed an agreement to sell, install and service Idle Free electric APUs. They represent these OEM's-- Freightliner, Western Star, and Mack Trucks.

An auxiliary power unit (APU) is an aftermarket component that can be added to a Class 8 over-the-road truck to help the driver reduce discretionary idling.

The Idle Free electric APU differs from other idle-elimination solutions because it is the most complete system available. It meets all driver needs -- heat, air conditioning and electricity to run a TV and computer-- without jeopardizing the productivity and longevity of the truck. The Idle Free APU is the only complete electric APU on the market and therefore will generate the fastest ROI of any systems because of the significant fuels savings.

Scott Witt, vice president - general operations manager Virginia Truck Center says that signing on to represent the Idle Free electric APU is just another way they help bring value to their customers.

“Since the company was founded in 1981, we have adhered to three major principles: excellent customer service, high quality of work and treating customers fairly,” he says. “With the addition of Idle Free APUs to our product offering we are continuing that tradition.”

How it works
Robert Hopton, CEO of Idle Free Systems Inc., says that being able to provide a means to eliminate all of the reasons that drivers idle trucks is one of the main differentiating factors of the Idle Free APU.

“Heat, air conditioning, hotel needs and engine pre-heat. These are why drivers idle the trucks. We designed a comprehensive, fully integrated APU solution that addresses all of these needs, completely eliminating the need for drivers to idle the truck,” he said.

In addition to being the most complete, the Idle Free APU is also one of the most efficient APUs on the market. This is because the system runs on alternating current.

Electric APUs that run on direct current suffer from lower efficiency, which translates to shorter APU battery life, less run time, and, most problematic, the risk that the APU could jeopardize the truck’s ability to start.  D/C-based systems, due to their higher amperage draw for the air conditioner, rely on the truck’s starter batteries as an additional power source to run the APU. Operating the APU risks draining the truck’s starter batteries and therefore not being able to start the truck, thus negatively impacting productivity.

Idle Free’s A/C-based electric APU, on the other hand, is a more efficient system, resulting in longer APU battery life and completely eliminating any need to use the truck’s starter batteries to power the APU. The A/C-based system means the truck’s batteries will never be drained by the APU.

Expanding network
Idle Free Systems is rapidly expanding its network of sales and service dealers throughout the country. 

Hopton says that the addition of a mountain state dealer to its to its growing dealer network is helpful in providing nation-wide coverage to support sales and service of the Idle Free system.

“We welcome the addition of Virginia Truck Center to our growing dealer family,” he said. “As we continue to expand our network of dealer locations, it is critical that we partner with dealers who understand our commitment to uptime, economy and customer service.”