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Truck electricity services expand

June 18, 2010

 | by: Jill Dunn

IdleAire plans to relaunch services in July.

Several companies are providing truck electrification services in a market boosted by recent government grants, new or stricter idling laws and trucker demand.

Each company offers some electrification service, such as heating and cooling, but what and how they offer services varies and can include Internet, cable and block heater power.

Tennessee-based IdleAire expects to launch up to 30 locations offering electrification and other services at truck stops during the next 60 days, said CEO Mike Fielden.

IdleAire’s parent company is New York’s Convoy Solutions. Earlier this year, a small group of investors bought IdleAire, which has had at least 131 locations in 34 states.

The first new locations will begin opening in early July, starting with Salt Lake City’s Sapp Bros., and some Pilot Travel Centers. Other sites are expected to open in North Dakota, Minnesota, Tennessee, Missouri, California and Georgia. Additionally, truck stop owners have committed to or expressed interest in five additional locations in Texas, Arkansas and Pennsylvania.

IdleAire hasn’t received federal and state grants, which have been important in creating past sites. It plans to have a contact person at each site during high usage times to provide customer service and troubleshoot problems.

IdleAire hasn’t reached an agreement with TA, although it has equipment remaining at 98 TA corporate sites. TA said in May it expected to remove equipment from its company-owned locations. However, IdleAire has reached agreement with some franchise TA/Petro owners to restart services.

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