KENLY, N.C. (October 20, 2009) - Big Boys Truck Stop in Kenly, N.C., today unveiled the East Coast’s first Shorepower truck electrification stations that will reduce air pollution and save fuel. The Johnston County truck stop along Interstate 95 installed the new electrification stations to allow resting long-haul truck drivers to plug in to electricity to run their onboard amenities, such as TVs and air conditioning, instead of idling their engines.

"We believe that even a local, family-owned truck stop can take the initiative to make a difference in this world," said Wendi Powell, manager of Big Boys Truck Stop.  "We hope that others will also seek out green technology opportunities that protect the environment while advancing economic development in our state."

The truck stop electrification project is a partnership between Big Boys Truck Stop, Shorepower Technologies, Progress Energy, and Advanced Energy. It was made possible through a Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) grant, a three-year, $2 million initiative of the NC Solar Center at NC State University. CFAT is sponsored by the State Energy Office, Division of Air Quality, and Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality funds administered by the N.C. Department of Transportation.

"We are excited to bring this technology to the East Coast and appreciate the state and the project partners leading the way on this sustainability initiative," said Joe Licari, director of East Coast operations for Shorepower Technologies. "Every time I see the new stations, they remind me that something as simple as providing drivers with a plug can have such a large, positive impact on the community, environment and trucking industry."

Shorepower electrification stations provide easy access to 120- and 208-volt outlets that truck operators can use to run their onboard amenities when they are parked. Big Boys Truck Stop has installed six stations, each with the capability of providing electricity to four parking spaces.

The U.S. Department of Transportation mandates that professional drivers rest for 10 hours after driving for 11 hours. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical heavy-duty truck burns a gallon of diesel fuel every hour that it idles, which generates air pollution, including emissions that contribute to smog and fine particulate matter. 

Using electricity instead of diesel fuel to run onboard amenities reduces local air pollution, fuel use, costs, noise and engine wear. The project will also provide a more relaxing environment for resting truckers as well as provide an economic boost to the Kenly area by encouraging long-haul truck drivers traveling along I-95 to stop in the community.

Idling is also costly for the truck operators. According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of diesel fuel in North Carolina is $2.57. The cost of using one hour of electricity from the Shorepower stations is one dollar per hour plus a one dollar setup fee. This means a driver resting for eight hours could spend more than $20 running his or her engine or spend only $9 for electricity from Shorepower. In addition, unlike the fixed electrification price, diesel fuel has been subject to significant price swings.

This truck stop electrification project is part of Progress Energy’s commitment to electric transportation as a way for its customers to save money and protect the environment. Progress Energy has one of the nation’s largest utility plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) programs, including a test fleet of seven Toyota Prius PEVs, two Ford Escape PEVs and the Southeast’s first plug-in electric bucket truck (which also received funding assistance from a CFAT grant). The utility has developed partnerships with Ford, General Motors and Nissan, as well as local universities, to help pave the way for electric transportation.

"We are investing in innovative alternative technology, such as truck stop electrification, because we believe it is an important part of a balanced approach to addressing the new energy realities of rising fuel costs and global climate change," said Lloyd Yates, president and chief executive officer of Progress Energy Carolinas, which serves 1.5 million customers. "We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the community and have enjoyed working with the project partners to bring this technology to the East Coast."

Project partner Advanced Energy will be gathering and analyzing data from the electrification stations at Big Boys Truck Stop to determine the project’s success. Advanced Energy is actively involved in researching, testing and demonstrating electric transportation technologies in the greater Triangle area.

"Advanced Energy is excited to be part of the inauguration of 24 electrified parking spaces in Kenly, N.C.  This project is complemented by the Project Get Ready! electrified transportation initiative in Raleigh and the Triangle Area, which is spearheaded by the City of Raleigh, Advanced Energy, Progress Energy and Duke Energy," said Jeff Barghout, director of Transportation Initiatives for Advanced Energy.

Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 500 energy company with more than 22,000 megawatts of generation capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. Progress Energy includes two major electric utilities that serve approximately 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. The company has earned the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Award, the industry's highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence, and was the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder's Award for customer service. The company is pursuing a balanced strategy for a secure energy future, which includes aggressive energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system.  Progress Energy celebrated a century of service in 2008. Visit the company’s Web site at progress-energy.com.