Charleston launches green truck partnership

Under a scheme funded in part by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant received by the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA), truck owners serving Charleston may apply for a rebate to help cover part of the cost for technologies such as auxiliary power units or smaller generators that reduce truck idling. The SCSPA’s partners include a number of regional trucking, business and health organisations.

“Through this collaborative grant programme, it’s much more affordable and accessible for truckers to upgrade their equipment,” said John F. Hassell III, interim president and CEO of the SCSPA. “These technologies not only improve fuel use and cut costs of running the trucks, but they also reduce air emissions, providing a broader environmental benefit to the entire community.”

Truck owners can apply for rebates in two areas: idle-reduction projects and retrofit projects. Truck owners can claim half the costs of idle-reduction projects, including auxiliary power units (APUs) and similar devices such as battery air-conditioning systems, thermal storage systems and fuel-operated heaters. The EPA estimates that trucks fitted with such devices use 8% less fuel each year.