|
|
 |
|
Viewing report
|
|
|
|
North American Heavy-duty Truck Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Market
Frost & Sullivan, Dec 2009, Pages: 97
Anti-idling Regulations and Tight Emission Norms Trigger Growth in the North American Heavy-duty Truck APU Market
Increasing idling regulations and stringent emissions standards are spearheading growth in the North American heavy-duty truck APU market. Currently, nearly 30 states in the United States along with the District of Columbia have anti-idling regulations in place, and the number is projected to grow steadily. Moreover, there are various regulations at the local and municipal levels as well as numerous limitations set at the federal level. 'These regulations, while they vary, generally prohibit heavy duty truck idling time over five minutes and idling near residential or school areas unless loading or unloading,' notes the analyst of this research service. 'APUs allow drivers the comfort of air conditioning/heating, television, microwaves, etc. while maintaining compliance with these regulations.' At present, authorities are beginning to clamp down on noncompliance trucks in contrast to a very lax and sparse enforcement of these laws in the past. This is partly due to unrelenting pressure from the ‘Green Movement’ as well as the opportunity for municipalities in generating revenue. Finally, such regulations are expected to become increasingly stringent in the future, as green programs and initiatives encouraged by the U.S. Administration continue to gain momentum across the country.
In a market that strives to lower overall fuel consumption and costs for its end users, the rise in fuel prices continues to be the primary driving force. The truck drivers saw oil prices surge to $150 per barrel in the late summer of 2008, and the demand for idle reduction technologies was at its peak because these units could reduce fuel costs by nearly eight percent. More recently, the intense global economic slowdown has curbed the demand for oil and the prices have stabilized. After the fuel price spike, trucking companies are being wary as they expect fuel prices to surge once again within the medium term. APUs not only help reduce the truck’s fuel consumption but they also significantly reduce wear and tear on the truck’s engine. End users report that using an APU can extend the trade cycle of the truck up to a full year, after which the truck is usually traded and used for short hauling.
In 2010, the market is expected to experience another decline due in part to a recovering economic landscape as well as problems with dealer and repair networks. With major manufacturers exiting the market, end users are likely to lose confidence in the prospect of having access to full service reliability of the APU. Actively implementing and utilizing APU options has proved to be challenging. While there is a widespread credit crunch, there are special purchasing programs and low-interest financing available for the purchase of APUs, but educating potential end users has proven to be difficult. Truck idling mandates are only sporadically and randomly enforced, hence the incentive factor of having an APU diminishes considerably. 'Going forward, the APU market is expected to pick up steam after the economic turnaround,' says the analyst. 'As battery technology evolves and runtimes of 20 hours are achieved with good recharging capabilities, the market will shift to alternative technologies, and this will help revive the declining market as a whole.'
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
- Diesel powered APUs
- Battery powered APUs
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled North American Heavy-duty Truck Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Market provides revenue and unit market forecasts, distribution channel analysis, competitive analysis, market drivers, and restraints. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technologies: diesel APUs and battery powered APUs.
Product samples
A sample for this product is available. Please Login/Register to download this sample.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Strategic Analysis of Emission and Idling Reduction Technologies for EPA 2010 and Idling Regulations Compliance
Hybrid Truck Market Analysis to 2020 - Favorable Regulations and Fleet Purchases to Buoy the North American Market
Strategic Outlook of the Western European and North American Medium- and Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicle Transmissions Original Equipment Market
North American Class 6-8 Truck Hybrid Powertrain Systems Market
Bus and Coach Report
Strategic Analysis of North American Medium/Heavy-duty Commercial Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Market
Strategic Analysis of North American Medium and Heavy-duty Commercial Vehicle Telematics Market (Class 4 to 8 Vehicles)
Strategic Analysis of Alternative Powertrain Technologies in the European Diesel Locomotive and Railcar Market
Electric Vehicles - Global Strategic Business Report
Hybrid Commercial Vehicles Report
|
|
|
|
