Mesilla Valley Transportation recently purchased close to 1,000 eNow energy systems for their fleet of Navistar trucks. eNow and Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) will showcase the eNow solar auxiliary power system during the NACFE “Run on Less” program taking place September 5 to 24.
This collaboration is the result of eNow’s work in the industry with multiple truck manufacturers and major fleets. As an example, Navistar’s SuperTruck program demonstration vehicle, CatalIST, recently exceeded the improvement goals set by the Department of Energy for the SuperTruck program. CatalIST achieved a freight efficiency improvement of 104 percent compared to the control vehicle, sipping diesel at 13 MPG. The vehicle also demonstrated 50 percent Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) with plans for Navistar to increase that to 55 percent BTE. As part of its efforts to create the ultimate fuel-efficient truck, Navistar tested eNow’s solar energy system on its SuperTruck at Navistar Proving Grounds.
Simultaneously to Navistar’s testing, Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) tested multiple systems on their fleet. “We’re always looking for innovative, more effective and efficient ways to operate,” said Royal Jones, CEO and President of MVT. “Our daily idle time is less than 6 percent on the whole company fleet and we utilize electric APUs 100 percent. Over time we had noticed shortened battery life and shortened alternator life due to the demand on batteries and the fact that we run eight batteries.”
The overall results from deployment of the eNow energy system on MVT’s existing Navistar fleet have proven conclusive over diverse road conditions. MVT noted the following results: “Increased daily run time for auxiliary equipment, such as in-cab HVAC; increased battery life from six months to two years; saved approximately 3 gallons of fuel per day from reduced engine idling; and decreased maintenance cost due to reduction in engine idling."
The results from Navistar Proving Grounds, combined with MVT’s own testing, led to the purchase of the eNow energy systems for the MVT fleet.
"These are exciting times for the transportation industry," says Jeff Flath, President & CEO of eNow. "Everyone is looking at ways to reduce cost, improve efficiency, and help the environment, simultaneously. We are about saving fleets money with our technology first and foremost. However, we also believe that leaving the environment in better shape than we found it is critical as well."
