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A day in the life of a long-haul trucker consists of spending hours on end behind the steering wheel to meet strict delivery schedules. When not traveling far distances, chances are they can be found in the truck’s trailer checking in on inventory, or in the sleeper cab trying to get some shut eye before it’s back on the road again.
With much of their time spent in the long-haul, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have taken notice and are reinventing their engineering processes to offer fleet managers modernized truck designs equipped with all the high-tech electronics and amenities to help keep their employees safe on the job while feeling more at home.
Mobile Inn
Rest is pivotal for a long-haul trucker to help ensure alertness when it’s time to clock in another 10-12 hours of continuous driving. One unique design aspect that’s received a total overhaul in recent years is the sleeper cab, also referred to as a sleeper berth. What once contained a basic pull-out cot cramped between the cab and the engine has now turned into a mini “hotel” on wheels outfitted with a range of features and appliances that come standard with purchase. These include a spacious design with ample storage, head and legroom, a kitchenette for cooking with a refrigerator, a portable stove and running sink and climate-control to help aid in comfort and quality slumber.
Some custom-built sleeper cabs even have onboard bathroom facilities and mobile hotspots that enable 24/7 internet access as well as plenty of electrical outlets to keep personal devices charged, such as laptops and cell phones, allowing truck drivers the ability to easily catch up on their favorite TV series or video with a loved one while on break. Even the driver seat in the vehicle cab has undergone significant adjustments, with multi-function settings that are available to offer lumbar support and integrated heating pads to keep the occupant warm in the colder seasons.
The Age of Automation and AI
In addition to the improvements made to the sleeper cab, the advent of automation tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) software has helped to improve efficiencies and provides the operator with the data-driven service intel needed to minimize downtime and lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). From in-cabin sensors that incorporate cameras and radar to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings as it travels down the highway, to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that help automate certain tasks for the driver such as lane-keeping assistance, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, these technologies are designed to improve productivity, increase safety and reliability, and reduce labor costs. These driver-assistant functions and the components that support them can be viewed as building blocks for fully autonomous vehicles.
While all these energy-intense solutions are helping to revolutionize the long-haul trucking industry, none of these onboard features or advanced software technologies add any value to the vehicle without the support of a dependable onboard battery system.
ODYSSEY® batteries from EnerSys are engineered with the Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) to help start the engine and the high cycle life capacity to power all the onboard accessories. Featuring exclusive AGM2 technology – the latest in Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) power combined with proprietary Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) technology – ODYSSEY® batteries offer 400 charge/recharge cycles at 80 percent Depth of Discharge (DOD) for extended cycle life and massive starting power with engine cranking pulses up to 2700 amps for 5 seconds. Maintenance-free, these dual-purpose batteries are optimized to operate in temperatures as low as -40oF (-40oC) to as high as 176ºF (80ºC) and can recharge to 100 percent in as little as four to six hours. ODYSSEY® batteries can also help deliver up to twice the power and three times the life of conventional flooded lead acid battery models and are an ideal solution for 13/15L long-haul trucks equipped with hotel loads, liftgate trailers, reefer containers, Electric Auxiliary Power Units (EAPUs) or sleeper cabins.
As the heavy-duty trucking industry evolves, so must the battery chemistries that help keep these sophisticated, modern-day vehicles in operation. ODYSSEY® batteries from EnerSys are manufactured to help keep long-haul fleets powered through every step of the way on their delivery journey.
Check out our websites at www.odysseybattery.com and www.eu.odysseybattery.com for the latest ODYSSEY® battery global news and updates.
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ABOUT ENERSYS
EnerSys is a global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications, designs, manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. The company goes to market through four lines of business: Energy Systems, Motive Power, Specialty and New Ventures. Energy Systems, which combine power conversion, power distribution, energy storage, and enclosures, are used in the telecommunication, broadband and utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, portable power solutions for soldiers in the field, large over-the-road trucks, premium automotive, medical and security systems applications. New Ventures provides energy storage and management systems for various applications including demand charge reduction, utility back-up power, and dynamic fast charging for electric vehicles. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world. More information regarding EnerSys can be found at www.enersys.com.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability at EnerSys is about more than just the benefits and impacts of our products. Our commitment to sustainability encompasses many important environmental, social and governance issues. Sustainability is a fundamental part of how we manage our own operations. Minimizing our environmental footprint is a priority. Sustainability is our commitment to our employees, our customers and the communities we serve. Our products facilitate positive environmental, social and economic impacts around the world. To learn more visit: https://www.enersys.com/en/about-us/sustainability/.