This week David Wolff over at Team Run Smart looked closer at a common practice among truck drivers and why they believe that it doesn’t affect their bottom lines. According to him, nothing could be further from the truth.
Truck idling also is one of the primary issues why some towns are beginning to refuse the extra tax revenue and job creation associated with building new fuel stops. They simply aren’t willing to put up with the associated annoyance of idling diesel engines. It may be short-sighted, since diesel fumes now account for very few hazardous air particulates, but sometimes a community just believes what they believe.
Often, truck drivers do not realize that idling can be an excessive waste of fuel. Idling is primarily used as a means of powering climate control devises and sleeper compartment accessories, and to prevent start-up problems in cold weather.
Does reducing idle time reduce your cost per mile? Absolutely! Think about it… Reducing idle time decreases fuel, and therefore, will increase your profit. Idling requires about a gallon of fuel per hour, so if you idle eight hours a day, this will cost you approximately $215 dollars a week. On average, idling costs $10,215 in fuel alone each year. And these costs do not include the added engine maintenance that will result from excessive idling. It is a common misconception that idling the engine uses less fuel than turning it off and restarting. By idling for only 30 seconds, you will use>>>