Shorepower Technologies has announced 17 more truckstops added electric plug-in power pedestals to their locations.
White’s Travel Center in Raphine, Va., is the latest truckstop to come on board with truckstop electrification. It hosted an open house for truckers Oct. 23, to showcase how electric power can run cabs and sleepers while keeping them warm with space heaters or onboard shore-power compatible APUs. White’s sister location, Lee Hi Travel Plaza in Lexington, Va., also will be offering power soon. It broke ground on Shorepower power pedestal infrastructure on Oct. 29.
Shorepower Technologies provided the electrical pedestals to White’s through the Department of Energy’s Shorepower Truck Electrification Project (STEP) — administered through Cascade Sierra Solutions, a non-profit based in Eugene, Ore. White’s Travel Center site also provides 480-volt power for hybrid refrigerated trailers. Located at I-81/64, exit 205, White’s is the 29th of 50 truckstops nationwide scheduled to be outfitted with power pedestals through the STEP project.
“Since Raphine has seven months where the low temperature averages 42 degrees or colder (five months of that averaging below freezing) full utilization of power pedestals over those cold months to heat the cab/sleeper with a space heater or shore power compatible on-board auxiliary power unit will mean a savings of close to 54,000 gallons of fuel for truckers,” said Bobby Berkstresser, owner of the travel center. “And it means about 540 less tons of carbon dioxide being put into the air. That’s the equivalent of taking 100 cars off the road for a year. And, that’s just for seven months.
“We see Truckstop Electrification as the future – it’s a business model that will work. Our initial installation is only the beginning – we expect to expand the number of pedestals we offer as the industry and truckers ramp up to take advantage of the power. AC-power saves fuel and it’s great for the environment. Everyone wins.”
“White’s and Lee Hi are key stops for trucking companies and drivers to take advantage of the electrification that we are introducing to a growing number of truckstops nationally,” said Alan Bates, Shorepower vice president of marketing. “Each month the number of locations offering shore power grows, and that’s exciting as the industry continues to make the move toward AC-power.”
New Locations Offering Truckstop Electrification and Plug-Ins for Hybrid Reefer Units
Newell’s Truck Plaza – Newton, Kansas. – 24 Plug-Ins- 5 TRUs (480V)
Seven Feathers – Canyonville, Ore. – 36 Plug-Ins- 6 TRUs (480V)
Wes-T-Go Travel Center – Tye, Texas. – 24 Plug-Ins- 5 TRUs (480V)
Pilot Travel Center – Weed, Calif. – 36 Plug-Ins- 9 TRUs (480V)
Flying J Travel Plaza – Lodi, Calif. – 36 Plug-Ins- 5 TRUs (480V)
Hopi Travel Plaza – Holbrook, Az. – 24 Plug-Ins
Chex Truck World – Middleburg, N.C.- Plug-Ins- 5 TRUs (480V)
Deerfield Travel Center, Steele, Mo. – 24 Plug-Ins
Flying J Truck Stop – Florence, S.C. – 24 Plug-Ins- 5 TRUs (480V)
Bridges Travel Plaza – Cusseta, Ala. – 16 Plug-Ins
West Winds Truck Stop – Green River, Utah – 24 Plug-Ins
Russell’s Travel Center – Springer, N.M. – 24 Plug-Ins- 4 TRUs (480V)
Johnson Corners Truck Stop – Johnstown, Colo. – 24 Plug-Ins- 5 TRUs (480V)
Flying J Travel Plaza – Bakersfield, Calif. – 36 Plug-Ins – 5 TRUs (480V)
Dysarts Service (Citco) – Bangor, Maine – 24 Plug-Ins- 5 TRUs (480V)
EZ Trip – Fresno, Calif. – 24 Plug-Ins- 5 TRUs (480V)
Free “Juice” to Ward Off Cold Winter Nights
Through the end of January Shorepower is offering free electricity at its STEP power pedestals. “Truckstop electrification is still relatively new and we want truckers to fully utilize and see for themselves how nice it is to ‘plug in,’ run all their devices that can use AC-power. But, most importantly, we want them to stay warm with either a space heater or onboard AC-compatible APU,” said Bates. “There’s no need to idle and waste fuel to heat the cab and sleeper.”
By the end of 2012, Shorepower says it’s expected to have 50 truckstops, with more than 1,250 power connections in its network. Many of those pedestals offer cable TV, plus 480-volt power to run hybrid eTRU reefer units.
