Police and EMS Idling Reduction Project
A past Fleet Challenge Canada R&D project that demonstrates the depth and scope of our extensive work and experience in green fleet research is the Police and EMS (PEMS) Idling Reduction Demonstration Project.
Through industry stakeholder consultations in Ontario, Canada, and with a system of interconnected idling reduction technologies conceived by Fleet Challenge, our team designed developed, and – through a partnership with the University of Windsor – lab-tested the ‘Hybrid Idle Reduction System’ (HIRS™). In rigorous field and lab-testing, HIRS was proven to dramatically reduce idling, fuel consumption, and GHG emissions in police and EMS vehicles.
The PEMS project included complex GHG baseline business-as-usual calculations and go-forward projections for GHG reductions resulting from the HIRS technology use.
Idling is a significant contributor to police and EMS fuel usage and emissions. Fleet Challenge conducted the project to investigate, develop and conduct controlled testing into idling reduction technology solutions suited explicitly for police and EMS vehicles and their unique operating circumstances.
Fleet Challenge conducted controlled PEMS field-testing and data-logging of HIRS-equipped vehicles in actual service by the Province of Ontario Provincial Police, City of Windsor and City of Ottawa Police vehicles, and EMS ambulances owned by Toronto and Simcoe County EMS, sanctioned by the University of Windsor.
The PEMS Idling Reduction Demonstration Project demonstrated to the automotive world that existing off-the-shelf technologies employed in the HIRS could lower fuel consumption and harmful greenhouse gas emissions and save money without negatively affecting vehicle operations or functionality.
The technologies tested in PEMS/HIRS included:
- Battery backup system: For both police and EMS vehicles, Fleet Challenge used a battery backup system (li-ion, gel, and wet cell) to power onboard electrical accessories, a diesel-fueled auxiliary cab heater, and a DC powered air conditioner.
- Auxiliary Power Unit (APU): For EMS ambulances, small APUs were used to provide heat, A/C, and maintain the vehicle’s batteries.
Controlled laboratory testing was conducted in a weather cell that simulated extreme conditions from -35C up to +35C. During testing, the battery backup system was proven to reduce idling by 32-48%.
The APU system lowered idling 61% in tests. The payback period ranged from 2.9 to 9.2 years, depending on the amount of vehicle utilization.
The PEMS Idling Reduction Demonstration Project demonstrated that existing technologies applied to Police and EMS vehicles could reduce fuel consumption, fuel costs, and harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Contact Fleet Challenge today to discuss your green fleet R & D projects.