An overwhelming majority of fleets want truckstop electrification and would be willing to pay for it, according to a recent on-line survey of fleet managers and owner-operators conducted by three companies that provide components to help facilitate shorepower.
A total of 88% of all those responding said they wanted so-called shorepower for the trucking industry and 86% said they would be willing to pay for electrical service at truckstops, the survey by Xantrex Technology, Dometic and Phillips & Temro said.
Shorepower is AC power that is supplied to mobile users at places such as recreational vehicle parks and marinas. At a truckstop, the driver would run an outdoor extension cord from the electricity source to the truck to power appliances and devices such as an inverter/charger, microwave or television.
According to Brian Lawrence, heavy duty truck segment manager for Xantrex, the survey shows a strong interest in truckstop electrification.
"The comments in this survey show a pent-up demand by people in the industry," he said. "It's meaningful that people took the time to make comments because they haven't had a chance to voice their concerns about this before."