Truckers who park at Petro Stopping Centers nationwide will eventually be able to avoid idling by hooking their cabs to power and air systems by IdleAire Technologies of Knoxville, Tenn.
Each system provides heat, air conditioning and electricity via a hose connected to an overhead truss above each parking space. The basic service also includes a local telephone line, cable television and Internet access with e-mail, all controlled from a keypad and LCD screen.
The price for truckers will be $1.50 per hour, or $1.25 per hour with a fleet discount, according to the company.
While Petro will be the first truck stop chain to offer the service, IdleAire is talking to all major chains. The first units will be operational this summer, at Petro locations in Knoxville, Tenn., then Atlanta and West Memphis, Ark.
Also, three TravelCenters of America locations in Texas – Baytown, San Antonio and the new Dallas South location – will test the devices this year.
