Mesilla Valley deploys solar panels on trucks to boost fuel economy, battery life

Aug 10, 2017

Mesilla Valley Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 75) has purchased 1,000 eNow solar energy systems for its tractors, saying it will help fuel economy and battery life and power auxiliary power units. Headquartered in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the fleet has about 1,600 drivers.

MVT and eNow will show off the system at the NACFE “Run on Less” program Sept. 5-25.

MVT is not the first fleet to turn to solar panels as a way to cut costs and improve efficiency. Groupe Robert, headquartered in Montreal, installed solar panel systems on its trucks as a way to extend battery life. The fleet’s solar panels generate up to four additional hours of battery life and fully recharge in eight to 10 hours of normal daylight.

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