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7. In-cab Heaters Reduce Fuel Consumption

In-cab Heaters Reduce Fuel Consumption

Project Objective:  Assess the effectiveness of Webasto In-cab Heaters for reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Organization:  Seaboard Transport (Seaboard)

Project Timeline:  January 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010

Project Results:  The use of in-cab heaters successfully reduced fuel consumption and related emissions.

  Performance Results (Annual Estimate Per Unit)

	Reductions per truck per year
	Fuel Consumption	GHGs
Seaboard	1,138 L	3 tonnes

          Financial Results (Per Unit)

	Annual Fuel Cost Savings per Truck*	Investment per unit	Payback
Seaboard	$853.33	$1,560.10	22 months

*at a fuel price of $0.75/L

Project Description

With funding from Transport Canada’s Freight Technology Incentives Fund, Seaboard added in-cab heaters to 27 of their trucks thereby providing in-cab heat to the sleeper berth during the colder months.  Seaboard expected a 60% reduction in Long Idle Fuel with this technology and witnessed a 61% reduction.

Methodology

Seaboard collected engine data from 15 of the 27 trucks equipped with in-cab heater for two periods:

• January 1 to April 30, 2009 – before the installation of in-cab heaters, and
• January 1 to April 30, 2010 – after the installation. 

Seaboard calculated the variance in fuel consumption between the two periods and used the average variance to estimate the fuel savings.

Detailed Project Results

A) Performance Results

Installation of in-cab heaters allowed drivers to turn off the engine while the driver was in the berth section of the truck.  This saved considerable amounts of fuel.  However, drivers reported idling the truck for up to an hour after blocks of 4 hours in a given  rest period to prevent the truck engine from “freezing”. This was done in an effort to ensure the engine would start as required after a lengthy rest period.  Based on this reduction of idling time, fuel consumed during rest periods was reduced from 1,248 L to 490 L saving 759 L of fuel during the 4 month monitoring period. Based on those numbers and taking into account other known factors of their operations, Seaboard estimates that annually the savings would be of 1,138 L of fuel and 3 tonnes of GHG emissions. None of the driver actually experienced a “truck failing to start” during the test period due to cold temperatures.

          Table 1 – Bunk Heater Test Fleet (Monitoring period from January to April)

Period	Distance Travelled (miles)	Fuel Consumed During idle (L)	Idle Fuel Cost (@$0.75/L)	GHG Emissions (kg)*
2009 (without cab heater)	474,670	18,723	$14,042.13	50,364
2010 (with cab heater)	470,193	7,345	$5,508.80	19,758
Variance	4,477	11,378	$8,533.32	30,606
Change	1%	61%	61%	61%

* Factor 2.69 kg/L

     Table 2 – Average per Truck (Monitoring period from January to April)

Period	Distance Travelled (miles)	Fuel Consumed During idle (L)	Idle Fuel Cost (@$0.75/L)	GHG Emissions (kg)*
2009 (without cab heater)	31,645	1,248	$936.14	3,358
2010 (with cab heater)	31,346	490	$367.25	1,217
Variance	298	759	$568.89	2,040
% Change	1%	61%	61%	61%

B) Financial Results

Based on an average fuel price of $0.75/L, the estimated fuel savings per unit was $568.70 for the 4 month monitoring period. Based on Seaboard’s estimate of 1,138 L/year, these savings would reach $853.33 per year for an estimated payback period of 22 months.

Conclusion

Seaboard demonstrated the effectiveness of Webasto In-cab Heaters.  Per vehicle fuel savings and GHG emission reductions were, on average, $568.89 and 30,606 kg respectively during the monitoring period.  Based on the cost of heater purchase and installation and the fuel savings, Seaboard estimates a payback period of 22 months. 

Seaboard has installed 27 units, providing an estimated reduction of GHG emissions of 83 tonnes. The total investment for the 27 units, including purchase cost, installation and maintenance for the monitoring period, was $42,122.75. 

Lessons Learned

Seaboard learned that:

• Understanding their tractor application and idling habits was key before purchasing and installing in-cab heaters;
• Driver awareness and promotion of Fuel Management activities are just as important as the technology itself;
• Further technology needs to be investigated to provide a cost-effective way of addressing the following issues related to long idle:
  • engine warming during cold temperatures,
  • in-cab cooling, and
  • reducing fuel consumption during working idle activities; and
• Payback of Webasto In-cab Heaters is viable for specific applications.

Challenges

Seaboard noted specific challenges:

• Identifying trucks that had a need for in-cab heat;
• Ensuring driver awareness and proper use of the equipment;
• Checking to ensure the in-cab heaters were working; and
• Identifying the actual time that the in-cab heaters were operating.

Recommendations

Seaboard put forward specific recommendations:

• Identify tractors that utilize their truck engines to heat the cab of the truck;
• Educate and promote the use of in-cab heaters among the driving staff;
• Establish a guideline for engine heating during cold weather; and
• Monitor in-cab heater performance.

Date modified:

2012-02-16

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