Idle not

Cat Electronics, a business unit of Caterpillar, unveiled an anti-idling system at the Mid-America Trucking Show that it hopes to make commercially available in 2004. MorElectric uses an electric generator instead of a truck's engine to power items like the HVAC system, water pump and air compressor.

In addition to reducing the power load on the engine while the vehicle is in operation, the system also makes it possible to run air conditioners, heaters and appliances without idling the engine. According to Cat Electronics, the MorElectric reduces fuel consumption anywhere from 9-18% and cuts the heat load on the engine's radiator by 11-23%.