Highway Transport is adding all-electric auxiliary power units (APUs) to its fleet through a new partnership with Dragonfly Energy.
The chemical hauler plans to install Dragonfly’s Battle Born APUs on over 500 trucks to boost sustainability with a “cost-effective” and “environmentally friendly” solution. The Tennessee-based carrier will equip new tractors and retrofit existing trucks with the lithium-ion battery system, which provides “ample” wattage for auxiliary applications without running a truck’s engine, Dragonfly reported.
“At Highway Transport, sustainability and driver well-being are paramount,” Marshall Franklin, Highway Transport CEO and chief financial officer, said in a news release. “Dragonfly Energy’s solution allows us to make significant strides on both fronts. The added benefit of fuel cost savings further strengthens the value proposition of this partnership.”
The Battle Born APU increases comfort by allowing drivers to operate their air conditioner, appliances, and other electronics while the truck is off. It produces zero emissions without engine noise and recharges during drivetime, helping Highway Transport take a “concrete step” toward achieving its “Green Treads” goals of reducing emissions, improving fuel efficiency, and enhancing driver comfort.
A pilot program and initial trials with Highway Transport have shown “promising” results, the partners indicated. The all-electric, lithium iron phosphate-based unit demonstrated extended power delivery and reliable performance, including the ability to consistently power hotel loads for 12-16 hours in extreme summer heat. “I’ve been driving for 35 years, and after installing the Battle Born all-electric APU in my truck, I can honestly say it’s amazing,” said Williams Gaines, a Highway Transport driver.
“My first trip after the install took me to Dallas and then down to Houston—and the system is so cool.”