Penske Truck Leasing (PTL) plans to retrofit 5,000 of its 2012 and 2013 model tractors operating within its commercial truck rental fleet with light emitting diode (LED) headlights over the next 12 months.
Art Vallely, PTL’s executive vp-- operations, said the company field-tested the LED headlamps – which are made by Truck-Lite – and found they provide greater nighttime visibility compared with traditional headlights.
“The high durability of these lights also provides a significant cost-savings from a maintenance standpoint,” he added.
Beth English, vp-- marketing for Truck-Lite, said that LED headlamps can offer improved driver visibility as LEDs provide more “natural light” spectrum, leading to improved object recognition at night and increased daytime visibility. Truck-Lite’s LED beam pattern also reduces eye-strain for drivers and reduces harsh headlight glare to oncoming traffic, she noted.
English added that another benefit is the significant reduction in amperage draw on the vehicle’s electrical system by LED headlights. She said that frees up power for other uses and resuls in a 50-times longer lighting system life than conventional halogen technology.
