Shorepower Technologies has announced six more truckstops added electric plug-in power pedestals to their locations from late December 2012 to the end of February.
The six truckstops located in Iowa, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wyoming now offer truck operators and fleets more than 150 truck parking spaces with power connections. Five of the six locations are also offering connections providing 480-volt power for hybrid refrigerated trailers.
Below is a full list of the six truckstops now offering shorepower for trucks and 480-volt power for hybrid refrigerated trailers:
• Flying J Williams - Williams, Iowa - 24 plug-ins and three refrigeration unit connections (480-volt power).
• Russell's Truck and Travel Center - Endee, (Glenrio), N.M. – 24 plug-ins and five refrigeration unit connections (480V).
• Flying J Hubbard - Hubbard, Ohio - 24 plug-ins and five refrigeration unit connections (480V).
• Sapp Brothers - Clearfield, Pa. - 24 plug-ins and five refrigeration unit connections (480V).
• Lee Hi Travel Plaza – Lexington, Va. – 24 plug-ins.
• Little America - Little America, Wyo. - 36 plug-ins and five refrigeration unit connections (480V).
The six join eight other truckstops that added electric plug-in power pedestals in December, which Shorepower announced late last year. There are more than 50 locations around the country that have been outfitted by Shorepower Technologies. Shorepower provided most of the electrical pedestals through the Department of Energy's Shorepower Truck Electrification Project (STEP) — administered through Cascade Sierra Solutions, a non-profit based in Eugene, Ore.
Corey Berkstresser, general manager of Lee Hi Travel Plaza, said as Lee Hi Travel Plaza has grown over the years, his company's success has come from taking a leadership role in the industry. Installing power pedestals is part of that role. "We're excited to partner with Shorepower, and to be able to be pioneers with the placement of the shorepower pedestals," Berkstresser added.
Alan Bates, vice president of marketing for Shorepower Technologies, said truckstop operators like Lee Hi Travel Plaza are taking notice of the potential benefits that installing power pedestals can offer their customers. "It has the potential to save truck operators so much money in fuel costs and wear and tear on their trucks," he added. "In cold weather, truckers can simply plug in a space heater to stay warm, while running their 'hotel' loads.
"Although fuel prices have leveled off in the last two weeks, truck operators throughout much of the U.S. have seen anywhere from a 7 to an 11 percent jump in diesel fuel prices since mid-January," Bates said. "This jump in fuel prices on top of the sharp increase in the spot freight index in January have truck operators scouring their operations for cost savings.
"Even with higher fuel surcharge numbers, it can be difficult for operators to calculate and lock in surcharges that will allow them to be as profitable as possible when fuel prices can fluctuate so high so fast," Bates said. "Taking advantage of the growing network of electric plug-in power pedestals is one good way truck fleets and operators can pocket more of their profits instead of burning them with idling truck engines."
Shorepower Technologies, which is offering free power incentive for truckers through March 31, 2013, recently created an easy way for fleets and owner operators to say where they want power - https://www.shorepowerconnect.com
