Clarios announced that Ruan Transportation Management Systems (CCJ Top 250, No. 30) is its first major fleet partner to integrate the battery technology solutions provider’s IdleLess technology to reduce fuel consumption when trucks are parked.
Clarios’ IdleLess solution monitors state of charge and prompts the driver when to start or stop the engine to maintain optimal performance and reduce engine idling. The system also offers real-time battery data reporting to fleet managers through the Clarios Connected Services cloud-based monitoring platform.
Ruan, which was one of several fleets in a pilot program with Clarios, will initially deploy IdleLess across 25 percent of its roughly 3,500-truck fleet over the next three months. According to Clarios, the solution can save $3,300 annually per truck in idle-related fuel savings. The IdleLess solution will eventually be integrated into Ruan’s driver training programs to maximize idle reduction benefits.
Clarios also announced Battery Manager, a new solution that builds on IdleLess charge monitoring and provides overall battery health monitoring and reporting. The new feature notifies fleet managers when a battery is nearing end of life so they can proactively plan for battery maintenance and replacement. Clarios said eliminating unnecessary schedule-based battery replacement and reducing battery-related roadside events can save fleets an additional $1,200 savings per truck annually.
“A lot of fleets will replace batteries based on a certain schedule just to make sure the battery's healthy and will provide the power they need,” said Christina Yarnold, director of product management for Clarios Connected Services. “Our solution allows them to get the full life out of that battery because they can with confidence know that the battery is healthy to use.”
Along with Battery Manager, Clarios also has a charging system health monitoring solution that looks at the low-voltage charging system and all the related components on the truck that can impact battery health. “For example, if an alternator is either old or putting out too much, that can have detrimental effects on the life of the battery,” said Yarnold.
The charging system monitoring solution monitors truck battery conditions and alerts fleet managers when an alternator or component are reaching end of life or are otherwise mis-sized for the battery system or improperly installed.
