Creating a cleaner convoy

Federal funds will go toward modifying heavy-duty trucks.

An Oregon nonprofit was recently awarded a chunk of federal grant money to further its mission of reducing emissions from heavy-duty trucks that traverse the country’s interstates.

Coburg-based Cascade Sierra Solutions (CSS) is slated to receive $22.2 million out of a $2.4 billion program from the U.S. Department of Energy aimed at driving domestic manufacturing and deployment of electric vehicles and components, including batteries.

CSS says it plans to use the funds to deploy 50 truck stop electrification infrastructure projects nationwide and to provide about 5,500 rebates for truck modifications to reduce idling.

On average, trucks idle almost 2,000 hours per year, as drivers rely on the engines for electric power and temperature control while they park at truck stops, according to CSS. Modifying the trucks with idle reduction technologies would allow truckers to shut off engines, reducing toxic particulate and carbon emissions while cutting fuel costs.

CSS, which provides regulatory, educational and financing assistance for truck drivers, plans to partner with Shorepower Technologies, a New York- and Oregon-based company that installs electrified parking spaces at truck stops, primarily in Oregon and Washington.

It will be a two-pronged project, says CSS communications manager Dave Orton: installing the infrastructure at truck stops while creating customers for the electrified parking spaces through truck modifications.