IdleAir, a division of Convoy Solutions LLC, is a company that provides in-cab services to truckers via centralized systems at
truck stop
A truck stop, known as a service station in the United Kingdom, and a travel center by major chains in the United States, is a commercial facility which provides refueling, rest (parking), and often ready-made food and other services to motori ...
s around the United States. IdleAir's service, the patented Advanced Travel Center electrification (ATE), was more complex and more expensive than traditional truck stop electrification (TSE) systems which are aimed at
idle reduction
Idle reduction describes technologies and practices that minimize the amount of time drivers idle their engines. Avoiding idling time has a multitude of benefits including: savings in fuel and maintenance costs, extending vehicle life, and redu ...
reducing the amount of fuel consumed by trucks while they idle during rests.
Most TSE systems simply provide electricity to trucks parked in their slots. IdleAir's service is more comprehensive, including heating and air conditioning, phone service, Internet connectivity, television, and 120-volt electrical outlets. The ATE services are delivered by a distinctive yellow tube that hooks into the door window of the truck.
The company, formerly named IdleAire, was launched in June 2000 and filed for bankruptcy protection on May 12, 2008. In 2007, the widow of a trucker filed an $18 million lawsuit against IdleAire at Knoxville Court. Her husband, a trucker from Florida, had died of
carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning typically occurs from breathing in carbon monoxide (CO) at excessive levels. Symptoms are often described as "flu-like" and commonly include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Large e ...
while using the IdleAire system. According to the lawsuit the IdleAire device was marketed as capable of removing carbon monoxide, yet she alleged it had sucked up the exhaust gases of the truck. IdleAire had 131 locations in 34 states. A May 16, 2008 press release on their website stated that they expected to remain open, however, IdleAire officially closed on January 29, 2010. In 2008 some locations had been demolished.
Convoy Solutions LLC of Knoxville, TN, acquired the former IdleAire assets and relaunched the company as IdleAir in 2010.
Since being relaunched by Convoy Solutions in 2010, the new IdleAir has opened 32 locations in 12 states — Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. IdleAir services are available at some major truck stops, including
Pilot Flying J
Pilot Travel Centers LLC, doing business as Pilot Flying J, is a North American chain of truck stops in the United States and Canada. The company is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Pilot Corporation, the majority owner, is based. The company ...
,
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, doing business as Love's (or stylized as Loves), is an American family-owned chain of more than 500 truck stop and convenience stores in 41 states in the United States. The company is privately owned and he ...
, Sapp Brothers, and
TravelCenters of America
TravelCenters of America LLC is the largest publicly traded full-service truck stop and travel center company in the United States. The company operates full service centers, convenience stores, and restaurants under the TravelCenters of America, ...
(TA and Petro Shopping Centers) and Petro franchisee locations.
In 2014 a fuel price drop began forked IdleAir pricing. IdleAir started teaming with a solar power company to supply the trucks with self generated electric energy. Transports of frozen food is kept on temperature by diesel generators, powering
electric reefers. The Big Boy’s Truck Stop in
Kenly, North Carolina
Kenly is a town in Johnston and Wilson counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It was named for John R. Kenly, Northern Division Superintendent of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, who later became president of the railroad in 1913. The po ...
planned 24 new ATE for 2017 with estimate fuel savings up to per year. Before the completing this project, IdleAir was awarded for sustainability by the
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is a Cabinet-level agency within the government of the U.S. state of Tennessee, headed by the Tennessee Commissioner of Environment and Conservation.
The Department of Conservation ...
.
In August 2017, a 24-hour usage in
Laredo, Texas
Laredo ( ; ) is a city in and the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Laredo has the distinction of flying seven flags (the flag of t ...
cost US $35 - cheaper than a motel stay or idling the engine for the legally obligated resting time of 10 hours.
[(German) MircoAufAchse – Truck TV Amerika]
Texas vor dem Sturm – Truck TV Amerika #90
Folge 90, YouTube, published on 30 August 2017
References
External links
IdleAirIdle reduction information—
U.S. Department of Energy /
EERE
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is an office within the United States Department of Energy. Formed from other energy agencies after the 1973 energy crisis, EERE is led by the Assistant Secretary of Energy Efficiency an ...
* NWAV8R
idleair(An users introduction of IdleAir), YouTube, 2 August 2008
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Companies based in Knoxville, Tennessee
Automotive companies of the United States
Truck stops