{"id":14596,"date":"2022-11-10T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-10T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roadwarrior-inc.com\/?p=14596"},"modified":"2022-10-18T12:31:37","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T16:31:37","slug":"the-erb-group-of-companies-trial-lithium-apu-batteries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roadwarrior-inc.com\/the-erb-group-of-companies-trial-lithium-apu-batteries\/","title":{"rendered":"The Erb Group of Companies Trials LightningVolt Lithium APU Batteries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Battery-powered APU technology is relatively new to the trucking industry, so there are not many options when it comes to repairing or improving these systems. This means that not many long-haul drivers have had the chance to trial a lithium-powered battery in their APU and see if it\u2019s worth the higher upfront cost. At Roadwarrior, we developed lithium batteries instead of lead-acid ones because they make truck APUs work much better. We\u2019re talking about a maintenance-free battery with a 10\u00d7 longer lifespan, that doubles the power in sleeper cabs and improves fuel efficiency!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But with a higher price point, we don\u2019t expect drivers or fleet managers to take our word for it that lithium is better! We gave The Erb Group of Companies<\/a> enough LightningVolt<\/a> lithium batteries to trial in trucks they run from Northern Canada down to California, Texas and Florida. 10 months later we came back to chat with Senior Corporate Fleet Director Jim Pinder about the results! Jump down<\/a> to watch the video or read on to learn about The Erb Group of Companies and the trial run!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

What is The Erb Group of Companies?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Erb Group of Companies<\/a> is a refrigerated transportation company. They specialize in temperature-controlled foods and time-sensitive supplies in the U.S.A. and Canada. The Erb Group was founded in 1959 by Vernon Erb. It’s since grown to include over 1500 employees and owner-operators. The Erb Group of Companies is a one-stop solution for refrigerated logistic needs that covers truckload and less-than-truckload transportation in North America. We asked them to trial our batteries so we could demonstrate their benefits, in real working conditions, to owner-operators and fleet managers. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Their company is employee-centric, and they are always looking for ways to improve their drivers\u2019 quality of life. They see a clear link between good conditions and driver retention. As an eco-conscious company, they\u2019re also a SmartWay Transport Partner<\/a>. This is an important collaboration between the Environmental Protection Agency<\/a> (EPA) and the freight industry, as well as between the U.S.A. and Canada. It\u2019s designed to boost energy efficiency while cutting down greenhouse gases and air pollution in the trucking industry. Running electric APUs is one of The Erb Group of Companies’ emissions reduction strategies! By using lithium batteries, they were able to cut down their idle times and their emissions even further!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What Benefits Have The Erb Group of Companies\u2019 Drivers Gained from Using LightningVolt?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An APU lets drivers keep their sleeper cab at a comfortable temperature and power their electronics when the engine\u2019s off. By using lithium instead of lead-acid batteries, the test drivers at The Erb Group of Companies can run their APUs for their full 8\u201310-hour break. This means they don\u2019t have to choose between temperature control and entertainment! They can run their kitchen appliances, games consoles and laptops, as well as vital health equipment like sleep apnea machines! According to Senior Corporate Fleet Director Jim Pinder, this makes a big difference to drivers\u2019 stress levels and quality of life on the road!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Do Lithium APU Batteries Give The Erb Group of Companies an Edge on the Competition?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jim Pinder sees lithium-battery-powered APUs as a golden opportunity for The Erb Group of Companies to stay ahead of the competition! As a fleet director, Jim is aware of the driver retention crisis in the trucking industry. He\u2019s always looking for ways to improve drivers\u2019 work satisfaction. With an efficient electric APU, The Erb Group drivers enjoy reduced idle times, significant fuel savings and improved quality of life. With twice the runtime compared to lead-acid, lithium APU batteries also give drivers a more relaxing rest period. For Jim, doubling the power in truck sleeper cabs is a key tactic to improve recruitment and retention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of this, lithium batteries don\u2019t require any maintenance, so the electric APU isn\u2019t a source of stress! While lead-acid APU batteries have problems with corrosion or messy spills, lithium batteries are mess- and maintenance-free! The group also runs across both Canada and the U.S.A., including through California, with its notoriously strict emissions legislation. With long-lasting lithium batteries, Erb drivers can avoid excessive idling, meeting legislative requirements while keeping their drivers comfortable!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

You can watch the full interview with Jim Pinder here, or find the video transcript below<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n